I have an itch to compete
 

I have been flying r/c for over 11 years now. I have flown everything from electric, trainers, warbirds, giant scale, etc. etc. I feel like I have a lot more control over my airplane when compared to other people I watch. I am big into 3D now and can do every trick in the book (torque roll, harrier, blender, harrier rolling, etc etc). HOWEVER, there is no competiton based on 3D so the only way I can compete is through IMAC. I was wondering what class would you guys suggest that I start out in??

P.S. I will be flying a 35% WH Extra (3W 100QS powered)

RE: I have an itch to compete
 

Layne,

My opinion is to start out with Basic.
I know the maneuvers seem easy to and very "basic" but you'll be suprised at how hard it is to fly them in sequence and do it well.
Wind correcting each figure is something you may or may not do now but you will be forced to in IMAC.
Flying and being judged is also a nerve wracking experience. You can practice the sequence a million times but the first time in front of judges you wont even know your name let alone what the first maneuver is.
Another reason to start in Basic is that each class builds on the previous class. You really are going to be pressing yourself by skipping through the classes.
If you fly your first contest in basic and have no trouble and win every round then I'd move up to Sportsman.
Then welcome to the world of the Unknowns. (Basic does not fly Unknowns)
They hand you a sequence Saturday night and the first time you fly it will be Sunday morning infront of judges. Fun but difficult.

A bunch of us got into IMAC last year and have an absolute blast.
I'd much rather fly a good sequence now than do an inverted harrier on the deck.
Dont get me wrong, I love 3D but its easy to hide sloppy flying in 3D. You cant do that in IMAC.
Precision flying has also made my 3D better.

Have you checked out www.mini-iac.com ?
All the info you need is right there along with the 2005 sequences.

You can still get your fix for 3D by doing the Freestyle competitions at most IMAC meets.


Have fun!

RE: I have an itch to compete
 

I have been working on the basic sequence on the simulator and your right its a lot harder to hide stuff when doing 3D. Over rotating a basic roll is easy to do. I guess I should maybe go and watch one of the contest first.

Oh yeah I forgot to ask. In the basic sequence when it talks about one roll on the hoirzontal, and half a roll on the way out of the sharks tooth, etc. Should this roll be to the right or left? or does it matter?

RE: I have an itch to compete
 

Roll direction does not matter.

In classes above basic roll direction will be more important for positioning in the box.

Say you have a spin that requires a 1/14 turn that will take you across the box instead of left or right, your going to want to spin in the direction that will make the next maneuver go the correct way.
Example,
Your flying left to right going into the spin. Your flying a line that is far enough out but, coming back at you for the x-box maneuver will not leave you enough room. That spin needs to rotate left so at the end the x-box line will fly away.
If you got blown too far away entering the spin, you can rotate right and use the x-box segment to bring you back.

In upper classes you will have figures that have more elements to them. Some of those figures will have you roll one way and then snap the other. Again, initial roll or snap direction isnt critical as long as the next part of the maneuver is the other way.
Example,
From inverted, 4 of an 8 point roll with and opposite direction 1 positive snap.

Dont go watch a competition. Go fly in one.
Its a blast and you will be able to get a ton of help while there.

RE: I have an itch to compete
 

I can second Wayne. Go fly in one. You will regret passing to "see" what it is all about.

download the basic sequence, and find someone nearby who has flown Imac and offer to help them out and 9 out of 10 will help you. Dont worry about scoring, just have fun (Guaranteed unless you crash), and become a sponge.

I flew in two contests last year. Should have been three, but I skipped one because of nerves. I shouldnt have.

It was simply awesome. I cant wait to move to Sportsman to get unknowns as the challenge seems awesome. Watching the other guys get ready, and stress was kind of cool too. The looks on faces after they landed was what made it all worth it. Everyone is laughing, *****ing, complaining, wiping their foreheads....etc... Hard to explain but it was cool. Cant wait til I get my first unknown sequence. I will be a nervous wreck im sure, but upon landing, im sure to be smiling.


chip

RE: I have an itch to compete
 

Hey Chip,

Are you going to be at the Clinton IMAC at the end of this month?

RE: I have an itch to compete
 

No Wayne,

Had a conflict with my Wife's schedule.

The first one I will fly in is the Columbus Imac in May.
then Mid Michigan and Lebanon, then Comair, and Bumbs.

I will be hitting quite a few of them.

I need to get my freaking planes done!
I have been flying the Katana as much as possible lately and I hope to have the Extra done by next weekend if all goes well. Weather has been nice so been flying as much as possible. The Kat is a good gas trainer as I have learned a bunch of stuff not to do on the H9 Extra. The bonus is it flies well too! I have started the Extra, but part of me wants to do the EF Yak but I gotta decide and poop or get off the pot. I know the bigger plane has its' advantages in presentation and stability over the slightly smaller Yak.

Ohh, I am going to Judging school in Muncie next weekend. Looking forward to that.

I want to see you flying the Carden. Last time I saw it fly my jaw was on the ground in Lebanon. hehe

RE: I have an itch to compete
 

They are right. Just go and fly. You will have fun and will start learning things much quicker than as a spectator.

On the IMAC web site are several files which will help you. First, there is a walk-through of the basic, sportsman and intermediate sequences. These will help you figure out where to put everything. This is especially helpful when you are just starting out.

Second, there is a judging guide. It is a one page summary of the judging rules. If this is too abreviated for you, go to the rules page and download the judging guide. You will do better if you know what the judges are looking for.

Good luck.

RE: I have an itch to compete
 

We are having a contest in Trenton SC this coming weekend.
Get into basic and fly.
You sound as if you can control your aircraft, so basic is the class you want to fly.
http://www.mini-iac.com/EditModule.a...er&ItemId=1428
Registration is $45 and starts at 7:30am. The contest will start at 9am
The price usually includes lunch on Saturday.