Starting out
 

I was thinking about starting IMAC stuff and was wondering what kind of planes do people have to start out with? I hae a seagull yak .90 size will that work? I know bigger is better and was thinking about start saving up for my first 50cc gasser. Do you think a big gasser will help over the .90 size yak? What do I need to do to practice. I got a book on aerobatics and it has some IMAC patterns in there I have been practicing those but I know if I am practicing the right stuff.

If you can answer those questions and maybe add some other stuff I need to know.

Thanks

rc-plane

RE: Starting out
 

in just finishing my 2nd year in imac. both years in basic. my first plane was a hanger 9 cap 232 120 size with a satio 150. it was ok but not great. in basic class you can fly just about anything, it's the other classes that have the scale rule. your 90 size yak will work fine at getting started. fly one or 2 cotest and see how you like it, before you spend alot on a larger gasser. i myslef love imac, i have flow pattern for about a year and a half and in my opoion imac is great!!!! the fellowship is 2nd to none!!!!
i flew the cap in 1 or 2 contest, then my friend who helps me let me fly his composite arf 100cc extra in a few contest. now i had almost no practice with the plane but did far better over all. the end of last year and all this year i been flying my own plane. i got a Wildhare 28% extra 300, it has a DA 50r in it. jr 9303 w/ pcm receiver. i'm using 5645 digital hitec servos on ailrons and elevator and a 5955 on rudder. this year i have flew 4 contest wiht one 3rd and one 1st!!!! the wildhare is a great starter out imac plane. if your wanting to keep cost down go with a 50ccer. i myslef have $2100 in my 28% extra thats everything, right down to the wingbags. i'm hoping to move up to sportman next year and to a 35% wildhare 330lx. yes a 100ccer will fly better but you have to add about $1500 to $2000 more.
you can go to the imac website and get the manuver list for basic and the other classes. i havn;t been on the website lately but they use to have a word by word walk thru on how to fly the basic class and what judges are lookin for. it's a great tool, they have other tools like that on the site!!!
if you have anymore questions feel free to ask!!!

Mikey

RE: Starting out
 

The Yak will definitely get you started.
my sons are just starting out in IMAC and I let them use my 90 sized planes (Yak and Edge) for practice. I don't let them use the large gassers for practice very often because of the quality of the field that they usually fly from (The runways can be a little rough at times).
I think that using a smaller plane to get started and for practice is a better idea, If you can keep a smaller one straight and smooth, it's eaasy to do it with a larger one. (I'm sure that there are others who will disagree:D).

One thing is for sure, If you don't get started, you'll never know. I say go out, do it and enjoy. The cameraderie at Imac style meets is great and you'll be amazed how much you will learn.

RE: Starting out
 

I think I am going to try! At first I wanted to go to a IMAC event but know I think I am just going to start practicing hard and go for it. I just got the sequence from the IMAC web site. I do have a question how much do those practice stick planes help? I could see were it would help because there was a guy at my field that was trying to show me what some of the moves were and he used his hand and the human hand can only bend in so many directions (if you know what I mean), so do they help a lot?

Thanks

RE: Starting out
 

IMHO Those stick planes are a good tool.
Look at any of the top level events and you will see a number of the top fliers using them - There's a reason for that.
They help you "Tune your mind in" and visualise how the plane should look like in the air.
I use them to visualise the sequence, Wing level etc. provided the plane is to the proper scale of what you are flying and sized to suit your model, they help a lot. Thety also help you to concentrate and "get into the zone".
They are also good for the example you used - to get soemone to show you what a new manuever will look like.

Nothing will progress you more than time on the sticks - especially if you also have someone helping you by pointing out where your inaccuracies are.

ENJOY