RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

You answered your own question, "SCALE" - Pattern "planes" are not representatives of any airplane that has flown in scale aerobatic competition and IMHO don't deserve the respect or the following that IMAC planes do. Not to say that IMAC planes are totally scale, however, they do represent a real airplane under competitive conditions. Just my 2 cents FWIW.............. Lew

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

I have just started practicing IMAC and hope to compete sometime in the near future. There are no contests up north (North Dakota) so when I move in a year or so, no matter where I go, it will be closer to some competition, so take my comments as more of an observation.

Most people I know who fly model planes, let alone IMAC, fly them because they wish they could fly a real plane. IMAC pilots wish they could strap on Patty Wagstaff's Extra for a few passes and do the real thing...reality is that not all of us are that fortunate. So we fly IMAC and pretend...they look like real planes we've seen at airshows and it is fun to imagine. Overcoming the challenge of flying a scale plane close to perfection is very satisfying to some of us.

Pattern is a different type of flying from my perspective. I see pattern fliers as people that are more dedicated to flying the best patterns possible, no matter what type of plane it takes to make that happen. Removing any handicap a plane might have, no matter what it ends up looking like, then practicing the maneuvers to perfection with an inherently neutral aircraft.

See the difference? Different isn't bad, just different. My .03...:eek:

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

I don't agree. I fly the big ones because I love the big gassers, got nothing to do with being a Walter Mitty, because I have time in full size, including aerobatic planes.

If pattern allowed 150 cc gassers in cool airframes, I'd be there. But instead they limit you to little 2 meter planes with tiny glow engines. Not my idea of fun. But I do love they way they fly. Just not my cup of tea. But I guess I'm just a wanna' be!!!

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

I am just now starting to fly competition type flying and am selling all my "glow" planes in order to buy my 1/4 scale Extra 300, my first "Gasser". Last year at both SCAT events at the Channel Islands Condors field in Camarillo, CA, I served as a scribe and learned a whole lot about what to look for in a sequence. I was going to fly BASIC class with my Goldberg Ultimate 10-300, (that's why I struggled for an engine and finished it). 2 days before the event, my Ultimate crashed beyond repair. I was so very broken hearted, as I would have been the first female pilot in SCAT series, that I couldn't fly for 2 months. Since then, I have been trying to practice with a Hurricane40 and until recently, have just gotten the BASIC sequence memorized. I can, almost, fly the sequence but it isn't pretty yet.
The main reason I wish to fly IMAC or "precision aerobatics" is that I will become a better pilot.
Any assistance that can help me to acheive my goal of competition flying would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

I dont agree either on a few points. I believe that competitive IMAC design seet up properly flies as well as a pattern model. I also believe that serious IMAC pilots are every bit as much in persuit of flying perfection as a pattern pilot. There is a lot of similarity.

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

As for pattern, I have to agree with Aresti, I would fly pattern in a heartbeat if they allowed big planes, but they dont, so I fly IMAC...and love it...x2!!!

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

................ not my cup of tea. But I guess I'm just a wanna' be!!! .............

Actually you're a poet, an' don't know it. [8D][8D]

Fredd"The Fast one"

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

A straight line. No kidding.

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

I know why you guys fly IMAC...
Because you ain't got the skills for JETS!

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

Perfect example of why I fly IMAC....

Flew in a contest last weekend. I felt like I flew decent that weekend.
Went out to practice today and flew like poo.
Its a constant battle to get good and be consistent.
I like that.

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

Glad I fly pattern (and not with glow, but electric, and there are some gasser pattern planes competing) cause I can fly Jets...and heli's, sailplanes, pylon etc....:D

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

I totally agree with these points. Plus guys who can torque roll/rolling harrier are ten a penny. How many guys do you see around doing flawless rolling circles? Hardly any is the answer. Pattern/IMAC are far more challenging than 3D, FACT. Look at the top freestylers and almost all (all?) have, or have had a keen interest in pattern at some stage. That kind of flying just teaches you so much that pure 3D cant.

Be a top pattern pilot and you will make a top 3D pilot. I don’t think a top 3D pilot would necessarily make a top F3A/IMAC pilot.

Angus

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

I don't know for sure, but I think Mark Leesburg Jr. is the only one of the "top rated" freestyle pilots that didn't start with pattern. He flies IMAC though...

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

Mark puts countless hours into flying precision though. BTW, he's also flown pattern though not to the point of being a top F3A guy. Though I have no doubt he has the ability to be one if he chooses to focus there.

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

I know how that is, sometimes its vice versa for me!

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

No kidding, I have NEVER seen a jet perform a good 4-point roll [X(]. Pretty basic stuff but the "better" jet pilots can't do that.

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

I saw the post and would like to Add why I fly IMAC.

It started in 1996 with the intro to QuiQue at the TOC. I had been flying for nearly 4 years and there was really something about the way in which he and his father worked together. The discipline that I saw from QuiQue that year was what made me such a competitive person. To be good at one thing makes you better at the next. It is a step by step progression whereby one has to learn something and nearly master it to move to the next thing. It taught me a great lesson in life as well. I have learned so much from him that it is hard to think where I would be today without that opportunity.
I still today study tapes from TOC 1998 that are a testament to how well it can be done.
I can count on one hand the number of times that I have been by myself at the TOC Field and flown the sequences that QuiQue flew. A Holy place to say the least. Trying to master every maneuver with true precision. Practice doesn't make perfect.......Perfect Practice makes perfect. It is with this in mind that I Practice always with a specific goal. Being the best wasn't the goal.....it was always bettering yourself.
You have to be focused on what you want to accomplish. Mistakes will be made along the way, but it is how you deal with these intrusions that makes you a better person.
With this in mind, IMAC and Scale Aerobatics is a way of life and a great life lesson. I wish all of you a great summer and we will see you soon.
Practice Hard,
Mark Leseberg Jr.

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

I wouldn't listen to a word of this. He's an obvious imposter. He even spelled Mark's name wrong. Everyone knows it's spelled L-E-E-S-B-U-R-G !! [sm=biggrin.gif]

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

No, its spelled "BAM-A-LAM"

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

And he can't even spell "JR" right!!

Jr.- What's that???

Shouldn't it be Mark Leseberg, JR ???

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

LMAO, yall are hilarious!!!


Great speech mark, my eyes were watering at the end!

:eek:

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

Misunderstood the joke... :eek:

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

Well said Mark.... Although I'm twice your age, you are actually the person who has motivated me to the highest degree in IMAC. You told me how to tackle my first goal & gave me the direction when it was needed. Now that it has been accomplished, I'm moving on to my next goal. Unfortunately, someone else will feel the "pain".
Team Jamaica

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

In my best Foghorn Leghorn voice -- "It was a joke, son. A JOKE!!!!" Sorry you did not get it.

RE: Why do you fly IMAC?
 

Aresti's got it nailed.
Pattern needs to revamp their rules. As long as they're locked into 2 meters and 5Kg, the planes just don't have the interest of big IMAC gassers. The future of pattern appears to be electric...that's even more of a snorer for me. Yes, pattern planes fly great. They'd fly even greater with the 3 meter rule and no weight limits.