Hey guys,

I was down at a near by field to me in Camarillo, and some people were praticing for the Ima event this weekend. I had brought a .60 scratch-built (not by me) aerobati plane. A I was talking to one of the IMAC pilots, he mentioned that my plane would be good for IMA Basic. Any thoughts. I'll post pis when i have them.

patternd

I won my the first contest I entered with a U Can Do. I out scored 5 other contestents, all with 1/4 scale planes or larger. It is not
the plane, but the score that counts.

You can fly any airplane in basic.

Albert Santiago

I flew my first contest yesterday. A lot of fun. Now I really want to practice.

IMAC was originally for scale aerobatics and planes which would fit in a sedan .
It has been fu---over badly since then
Now it is dominated by models which cost as much as a decent car.
Money wins again.
Maybe someday it will return to a modeller's hobby.
Fly anything in basic
In Sportsman - the sandbaggers with 40% stuf are already entrenched .
Too bad.

The stuff about sandbaggers is BS. If anyone is in the wrong class, they won't be there more than a year. At some point you'll find the class that you'll be in for the duration.

As with any sport, things continue to get pushed and become more competitive. That's a good thing. If you don't have the equipment to be competitive, then don't fly to be competitive. Just have fun. Don't hate the sport because it's continuing to push the envelope. Have fun, make some good friends, and learn a lot. If you want to be competitive while you're doing it, you've got to keep up. It will always be that way.

See you at the next "competition"!!


Dean Bird
Sun Valley Fliers
Phoenix, AZ

Competitive improvement?
It is common -that does not make it alright.
I don't fly in the lower classes - just watch the continual spiral toward higher costs and goofier flight sequences - We have to really work to get judges prepared for our contests- (I CD each year).
And sandbaggers ?
you bet they are there
If you can't spot em - you have not been at it long enough.
In my book - any win in Basic or Sportsman -against more than a handful of flyers - really dictates a voluntary move up.

I really don't think we need to worry about sandbaggers. Eventually, they get beat. Besides, they set the mark for the guys coming through the classes. If someone gets a thrill about sitting in a lower class and whooping up on people, then more power to them. Like I said, eventually they will still be beaten. They are not pushing to improve like the guys that are coming up behind them. Those that are continually pushing to improve will always improve at a rate faster than someone resting on their laurels. Those that become complacent will be overtaken.

I really don't buy the "must have 40%" logic. That simply isn't true. I did very well in Advanced in the SW with a 35% plane last year and I have been beaten by a 35% plane this year. 35% planes are consistently at the top in Sportsman this year as well. But, bigger does fly better after all, so those that do well with smaller planes will do well with bigger planes. Those that can't fly a straight line with a smaller plane will not fly a straight line with a big plane.

I think IMAC is just now starting to settle into a groove, and that's a good thing. The contests are increasingly competitive and well attended. One can have fun at that, or look for other modelling venues. No disrespect meant to anyone. There are so many avenues in this hobby that if one doesn't turn your key there are many, many more.

Steve.

You missed my point
The idea of the lower class is for new people to have a more even playing field.
It only affects me personally -in that I would like to see the entire IMAC system -more attuned to to attracting more flyers .
I still belive that the system should have a size limit for lower classes .
No handicaps - simply start at level where cost is not much of a factor.
Size disparity is intimidating to quite a few flyers .
Multiple wins at the Sportsman /Basic level -clearly shows the skill level is above that class.
Move on--

Well this is why i want to go into Basic. I can improve with my .60 size and see if its with upsizing.

patternd

Three wins in Basic, Sportsman, or Intermediate and you're automatically moved into the next class the following year. It takes care of itself!!

Not fast enough---
Sandbaggers know when they are ready
Ever watch a guy fly Sportsman and then place well in Freestyle?
What is wrong with this picture?

The difference may be a couple of contests. No big deal. A lot more things to be worried about than somebody flying a couple extra contests in a class (in your opinion).

I have only been flying for 4+ years, 3+ in IMAC. I have not seen anyone in our SW area that just hung out in one class. There are people that only fly one contest a year and it is usally in sportsman, but they are just there for the fun and dont take it very serious.

I dont think there is anything wrong with staying in one class for the entire year. Everytime you fly an unknown in your class you can be learning new figures.

As far as limiting the size of airplanes in Basic, I understand your thinking but I dont think it is necessary. There are more and more people flying planes 30% and larger. Attendance at contests in the SW are at a level that is difficult to manage. I have been to 4 contest this year attendence was 42,41,50, 56. Our contest in Phoenix was 42, we had rain predected all weekend and we still have 42 people show up. It was pouring at the field on Sat morning and they waited it out.

I have seen this, but it is usually people who dont practice IMAC and love 3d flying. I dont see this person winning sportsman.

There are also plenty of people who fly Advanced and Unlimited who can not 3d, I am one of them.[]