RCU Forums - What is IMAC?

Quote:

ORIGINAL: gaRCfield

I just did a search for 'What is IMAC' and didn't come up with any immediate results. In the Pattern forum there is a 'What is Pattern' sticky which I found to be very useful.

Why is there none here? I have an idea what IMAC is, but I bet there's a lot I don't know. I know I can go to an IMAC official website, but I think, as informative as RCUniverse has been, there should be something specific here.

So what is IMAC? Aerobatic routines for scale planes? That's the extent that I know. Does it include any 3D (personally I'm not into 3D)? What are competitions like? What is the camaraderie like?

You pretty much answered your own question. IMAC is all about doing a set of known maneuvers better than anyone else in your class. A typical contest lasts 2 days with everyone flying rounds of knowns on Saturday and then first thing on Sunday are the unknowns. Sometimes that changes but this is how it's normally done at this time. There is no 3D involved in a sequence though there is such a thing as the Freestyle event which is totally seperate from IMAC but typically flown as the last thing at an event. To fly the Freestyle you must compete in the IMAC event. Awards are typcailly given for 1st through 3rd places in the IMAC event and in most cases, only first place for the freestyle. The awards are typically plaques and/or polo-shirts. In IMAC, you will learn how to properly use the rudder at all times and be able to put your plane EXACTLY where you want it. A good IMAC sequence will not be pretty as all maneuvers are required to be wind corrected at all times. You will learn to fly in wind that you probably never have flown in before. Contests are not called off because of wind unless it's really bad. I've flown in contests with a 20 pound plane that was 25mph winds gusting to 35mph and the plane being tossed all over the place.

Camaraderie is about the best you can get anywhere. Everyone is there to have fun but also to fly the best they can. If something breaks you can count on getting more help than you will ever need, if you have questions, most everyone is very approachable and will gladly help as much as possible. The judges are the people you are flying with though not from your own class. In most cases the judges that will be judging you are from a higher class and when you land and if they have time, will gladly give you pointers to help you out. Listen to them, it's worth it.

Here is some info that was posted on another forum that pretty much describes IMAC and was created by TheTank:

For anyone that is interested in trying IMAC for the first time in their respective region, here are some frequently asked questions that we tend to hear from first timers:

Do I have to join IMAC to fly in a contest?
No, you do not have to join IMAC to compete in an IMAC event. Just show up and register in the contest with your current AMA card. If you like IMAC, and want to continue competing, join IMAC to help support the organization. So that any points you accumulate during the contest year go towards your overall class standing at the end of a contest year. Some regions do not count points in the basic class. Ask your Regional Director to be sure.

What airplanes are legal for IMAC?
In the Basic class (entry level), you can fly anything with wings (aerobatic airframes recommended!). There are no restrictions on the type class of airframe in the basic class. Beginning in the sportsman class and up, rules state that the airplane must be a replica of a full scale airplane that was flown in full scale Aerobatics or intended to.
Baron Johnson's Loudenslager Shark is a perfect example of a plane that was intended for full scale competition but never flew.

Do I have to start in Basic?
Although it is recommended that you begin IMAC competition in the Basic class, you can begin in any class you would like.

Can I move between classes in different events?
You can always move up (until your in Unlimited), but once you have moved up, you cannot move down a class. Some regions have a rule in place that will allow an Unlimited pilot to move back to Advanced if he desires at any point. All is needed is the RD's permission.

Do I have to have a caller/spotter?
While flying, you are required to have a spotter caller to help you with the sequence and to help avoid mid-airs. If you don’t have a regular caller, don’t worry. Ask someone from your class or another class to call for you, just bring a calling sheet with you so that can call the correct maneuvers for you.

When it’s my turn to fly… what do I do???
You always want to be prepared prior to your flight time. When your class is called, make sure your airplane is fueled and ready to go, and if possible, move your aircraft down to the area that the judges are.
Depending on the event, you may be asked to start your engine as soon as the pilot before you finishes his/her sequence to help minimize time between flights (this is the CDs discretion and is covered in the pilots meeting). There are no trim passes in IMAC. Its generally known that you have one minute to enter the box but this is rarely enforced at a local level. National events it is strictly enforced.
Do NOT perform any aerobatic maneuvers at this time. Once you are in trim, get into position to enter the box, when ready, have your spotter call “in box” and begin flying your sequence. When you have completed the sequence, have you spotter call “out of Box.” Then go around, get into position, and enter the box and fly through the sequence for a second time. After finishing and calling out of box for the second time, land your aircraft. Ask the judges for feedback on your flight if they have time or wait till the round is done. They are there to help you! They will let you know what you did well, and what you need to work on for the next flight! After completing your flight, go refuel you airplane and get it ready for the next round.

Will I be asked to Judge?
You may be asked to judge at an event. If you feel that you are not qualified to judge, do not be afraid to decline, and let them know that you are new to the IMAC circuit, and don’t feel qualified at this point. Try to attend a local judging seminar in your area so that you are familiar with judging. This will not only help you to volunteer as a judge, but will also help you become a better pilot as you will better understand what to look for.

I’m having a hard time understanding the Aresti Symbols…
Print out a copy of the “Aresti Dictionary” here on the FlyingGiants or at the IMAC website. Also read the “aresti made simple” article from the IMAC website to help learn what the symbols mean. When in doubt, ask questions!!!

How are figures scored?
Each figure in your sequence has a top scored value of 10. Each maneuver is started at a score of 10, and has points deducted for errors. A complete discussion of deductions and scoring of figures can be found in the IMAC handbook on the IMAC website.

What are unknowns and how to they work?
Unknown sequences are sequences that are handed out either on Saturday evening after all flying has ceased. Some regions/contests used to hand out the unknowns Sunday morning prior to the event beginning. According to the IMAC Official Contest Standards Guide for 2007. Unknowns will be required to be handed out the night before, not the morning of the flight.
The unknown is comprised of class-legal maneuvers put together in a 10 maneuver sequence like that of your known sequence. At some contests, even the Basic class will have an unknown, or fly one sequence of scored knowns to count for the unknown. In the unknown round, you fly the sequence ONLY once, then land.

Do you have to be in a specific class to fly freestyle?
All contestants are welcome to the fly the freestyle if the event is holding this portion of a contest. You do have to fly in the contest to fly in the freestyle however.

When should I move up to the next class?
Most regions have a Move Up Policy. The move up rules are defined in the IMAC Rule Book on page GR-6, Section 10 of the General Rules these are national rules. In 2007-08 the RD can make the decision, but the same rules apply to all the regions. In short, if a pilot has 3 wins with 4 or more pilots flying at each contest, the pilot must move up. This will be in effect for the 2007 season based on 2006 contest results. You can also move up if you feel comfortable doing so, there is nothing that says you can't continue to challenge yourself.

Is there are landing fee to attend an IMAC event?
In most cases, yes, there are landing fees that can vary from $10 to $50. These fees are there to pay for the awards given out at the event, as well as to provide a donation to the hosting club so that there is an incentive for them to host our events. Contact the CD of the event to find out what the landing fee is for that specific event.

In the above info, Tank makes a reference to basic flying an unknown, while Basic does fly one sequence of their knowns on Sunday to simulate an unknown (unkowns are flown once in a sequence while the known sequences are actually flown twice meaning you takeoff, fly the sequence, turn around and fly the sequence again then land) offically Basic does not do an unknown

There is a contest in your area this weekend, if you can make it go there on Saturday and look around and ask questions, talk to the pilots, contest director and offer to scribe for the judges. I cannot say enough that scribing for the judges is the quickest way to learn what the judges are looking for

go here to find info on the contest in New Hampshire

http://www.mini-iac.com/EditModule.a...er&ItemId=2038