I thought I would start a thread for anyone that may read the pattern forum that may have never flown in a pattern contest before. And are intersted in doing so..
Any positive advice from our experience that can point a newcomer in the right direction should be posted if you have the time..
Hope this can be of use to some..
Chris

First off. If you are interested in flying pattern, please have a look at our website. www.nsrca.org
There's alot of useful information there. Including the sequences for all of the classes we fly, and also descriptions of the manuevers.
Also, there are district websites that can help you get in contact with someone most likely near you that may be able to help..


More later including some websites to help you browse for airplanes and parts..
C

Flyers from the UK can look at [link=http://www.gbrcaa.org]www.gbrcaa.org[/link], has videos of some of the schedules and info on all the schedules as well as pics from the recent uk events.

Great sites to learn the schedule and get an idea what the maneuvers look like.

Videos and maneuver description

http://www.nsrca.org/d7/practice.htm

Diagrams to print and share with your friends

http://www.ocmrc.us/NSRCAD1/home.htm

and don't forget the begginners page off of the technical button on the NSRCA web page.

http://www.nsrca.org/beginnerA.htm



Caution pattern flying is addictive!

Ok, I attended ( as a spectator ) the Peach Pattern Classic today. This is the first pattern contest I've been to and was pleasantly surprised. Instead of the "he** bent to win" attitude I had expected people were there having bunches of fun in a relaxed atmosphere. Everyone was friendly and didn't seem to mind answering the typical noob questions. I had already planned on trying pattern as a way to improve my flying and attending the contest locked me in on that decision. Signed up with the NSRCA while I was there too. Looks like just too much fun to miss out on.

Dave

Yes sir! I started a thread on here and have been overwhelmed by the offers to help me get started and answer my silly questions!

My pattern debut will be in Riverside, CA. in 2 weeks--- I guess I better practice a few times before then---

I may have the oldest airplane in the Sportsman class, a Supra Fly-45 ARF from the early 80's

Razor..
Awesome. I'm glad that you are going to be there. It's a special contest for me as it is a memorial contest for my brother that I lost a year and a half ago. Also my sis, but the contest is in his name as he flew pattern.
We are booked at the best western in town. 951-943-5577.
If you are staying in town then stay with us. I'm sure I will pull the normal (or as it seems to have started happening) night foamy flying at the hotel. And I have a eflite byp-yak that torque rolls for days now. Should be fun.
I'm not sure, but I may buy a kit to give to the winner of sportsman.
Get your practice in my friend...
Remember. Throttle control!!!! Center your manuevers!!!
Call, entering the box, exiting the box at the appropriate times.
Don't fly full stick if you don't have to. Only for the uplines.
Fly nice consistent radius's.
Nice straight, level or vertical lines.
Also, a few mistakes I see sporstman flyers making.
2 point rolls are exactly that. Point rolls. Not straight inverted flight. You only need pause. Not hold the inverted.
A double immelmann. Well, defined, it is a square loop with a half loop at each end. It doesn't need to be from end box, to end box. Just imagine a square, then add a half loop on the ends.
Stall turn. Pull your radius, correct the line with rudder, draw a nice straight upline, not too long though, then throttle slowly down to about 1/4 stick, let it stall, then hit rudder, and kill the throttle. It presents better in sportsman this way.
Also, a little trick if you are handy with the rudder. Always correct your lines to keep parallel with the runway with rudder. Not by dipping the wings with aileron.. If you need heading changes add rudder in the radius's instead of lines as it's less noticeable..
Have you got any flying in this week.
I haven't had any for well, a month. But hopefully I'll get some practice the friday before the contest!!
Hope to see you there!!
Chris


Work on those loops. They are high scoring for you!!

I'm really glad to see that there is still an interest in Pattern. I have wanted to get involved for the longest time, but job, family, and money held me back. Now that those factors are not an issue, I started to hear that interest and participation in Pattern was fading. I hope that is a temporary thing. I really think that the finest and most rewarding part of R/C is being able to master and demonstrate consistent, precision flying skills. And the people that I have already met, not to mention the many people on this forum have been great. Now, I just have to get the planes ready and start practicing............[sm=biggrin.gif]

I intend to use the Sportsman pattern sequence to sharpen my flying skills and instill some disipline in my flying. Maybe if I can gain some semblance of competency I'll try entering a contest.
I have have a couple of very rudimentary questions, hopefully you guys can help out.
1. Between maneuver# 1 (take-off) and #2 (straight flight out) can I assume that there is a "free turn, pass back and turn again to get back downwind for #2? Or is #2 stuck right on the end of #1?
2. I'm assuming that #7 (2 point roll) has the plane hesitate inverted before completing the roll to establish the "two pointness" of the maneuver.
3. How the heck do you do #13 (double Immelman) without a roll? My understanding of an Immelman is that at the top of the 1/2 loop you roll the plane to a canopy up position. For the second half of #13 you do an outside 1/2 loop and roll to a canopy up position again.
I hope I've asked the questions in an understandable manner. Any advice will be greatly appreciated. Meanwhile off to look at pattern sites on the web to see if I can glean more info.
Dave

If you need some more explanation on flying the sportsman pattern, follow the links from the NSRCA website to Don Ramsey (judging coordinator) site and look at his sportsman coaching tips. Very helpful.

Dylan and Chuck

Thanks Dylan & Chuck, I've been poking around that site and have figured out the 2 point roll and the double Immelman without rolls (though it doesn't seem like an Immelman). I'm still not clear on the first question- after takeoff do you get a free pass downwind to get into position for the #2 maneuver?
Again thanks,
Dave

Yes sir there is a free pass after takeoff in all classes.
And I agree with you about the double imm with no rolls. Doesn't seem like an imm.
Just remember that its a square with half loops on the ends. If you fly it this way, you will get good scores.
Chris

Thanks Chris. Now if the weather would cooperate I could get out and try this stuff.
Dave

1. Take off and set yourself up for your first run.....I would suggest using the procedure turn to accomplish this. On your downwind leg you can use that to trim the plane.....make your upwind turnaround and enter the box

2. Correct....hesitate then finish. Roll rates must be the same

3. its not really that manuever. Its simply a racetrack with the plane inverted on the top. You pull to inverted.....fly inverted....pull to upright.....fly upright....exit the manuver where you started it.

Hope this helps

Also take a look at these videos:

http://www.nsrca.org/d7/practice.htm

Good info here.

sc

Hi Razor,
I need some info on the contest at Riverside on June 17.
Were will it be at?
What time will it start at?
How to get to the contest
Any help from anyone would be apprecited.
Thank's,
Hoss.