I am interested in getting together with some folks who fly pattern. No one at my regular field (HCAM in Austin) flys pattern. Are there any active pattern pilots in the Austin area???

Sorry bud, wish I could help. I'm Lake Charles.

Matt

YS Performance

Jeff,
I am in San Antonio and suffer the same trouble. I rarely practice properly due to the lack of interest and assistance at the fields.
I fly the advanced pattern. ahem, I attempt to fly the advanced pattern! JK

Would love to try and find a common field to meet at that we could help each other.

What plane do you fly, what class do you fly in?

Chuck Hochhalter

I don't have a plane yet..
Well, I've put together an Excelleron 90 w/ a OS 1.20 2-stroke on a Cline but I'm not happy with it's design. It looks too much like a 3D plane than a precision machine. I'm going to take the plane to the local hobbyshop and sell the engine to a buddy. I never even flew it.

I think I'm going to move to the Spot-on 1.20 w/ a YS 1.40 now. This will be my first pattern ship. I will be practicing the sportsman schedule.
The Seguin field is real nice (actual air-force airport) w/ a paved runway. I was there last weekend racing pylon. Maybe we could meet up there sometime...

Closest people I know to you are the waco area. Waco/Temple area has a lot of pattern guys. here's the Temple link, [link=http://www.templeaeromodelers.org/]Temple club[/link]

Great - I'll head up there and pay a visit. Thats probably 1 hr. away.

Jeff, I was at the club40 last weekend to. I fly at the aux. field. I'm also interested in pattern. I just came back to the hobbie not long ago. I'm a little rusty. I flew some imac back in 92. I'm currently looking for a good pattern plane for the sportsman class too. Theres so many I cant make up my mind. I'll pm you with some more info.
Mark
BTW, Todd and Max at B&P Hobbies are the guys to talk to in waco.

Jeff,

You might consider coming to the Jetero Pattern meet next weekend in Houston Texas on June 2-3. This is a geat way to meet the area's pattern pilots -- We will have everyone from Temple, Waco, Houston, Nederland, Louisiana, Arkansas, and possibly Oklahoma.

We intend to put on a quality event and we have had up to 41 participants. Our beautiful grass field has electricity, water , flushing toilets and big covered area.

You are welcome to come and it is only about 3 hours away.!!!

Ron Barr
Jetero Contest Director
Team Futaba

Hi Ron,

I would love to come to the Jetero event. Unfortunately, I have to CD an event at our field on the 2nd.

Thanks for the info.

I fly sportsman IMAC at Austin ARCA field, most time by myself. Have not found another IMAC person here who can coach or call.

Pattern is something I am always interested. But have not spent time practice any sequence.

Paul Villarubia (sp) flies at ARCA. Very accomplished pattern pilot. Do not know if he visits this forum.

Hey Jeff,

So, the pattern bug has finally bitten you. That's cool. Too bad it took you so long to discover this because you could've competed with the RCACF gang. FWIW, I recommend the Focus II ARF. A little more money than the Spot-On, but a better value overall and a tested winner!

Steve

Hey Steve,

I can't believe you remember me... Hows it going. I've been reading some of your posts. Looks like last year's Tangerine was a success.

I took 3 years off from flying while in Atlanta (not too many fields in Atlanta). Boy, I sure miss Graves RC now that I am back into it. There just isn't anything close to the scale of his shop here in Central Texas.

So you recommend the Focus II - I looked at that a few times. It's great looking ARF. I'm sure it flys great also. I'll look into it again.


PS: I've been talking up the RCACF field to the group here in Austin. I really miss you guys.

Hi Jeff,

The Focus II is a great pattern starter. I'd say it depends on what level you are planning on competing. For sportsman, almost anything will work if you know how to set it up and can fly straight and level parallel to the runway- believe it or not, that is the hardest part for most sportsmen. While you can compete with a super kaos or Funtana in sportsman, for anything above that , a "real" 2meter plane is gonna be helpful if not essential. I've been through 3 Focus II's and I can say they fly great and are very easy to build. I've got two that are converted to electric that I use as my backup plane now....I'm flying a Pinnacle E for the last couple of weeks. But the Focus won't limit your ability to win and it will cost about 650 bucks vs 3K. If you already have an older style pattern design that flies great, then I'd say use it- I had my socks nocked off by a kid flying a Storm last weekend(G)- but if you are going to get a new plane, then go with a Focus II or similar kit that won't limit you. Getting with someone who can help you with advice about trimming and setup will help a lot and learning about the judging criteria and "style" will give you more effective practice time. By all means come over to Jetero or Nederland (June 24th weekend) and throw down in sportsman- it'll give you a chance to meet the "gang".

George

OK
I wasn't gonna say anything because you started off stating you have an Excelleron you want to get rid of. BUT!!

I think you'll be making a mistake to sacrifice an Excelleron just to get a 2-M plane. The Excelleron has proven itself over the last couple of years. Yes it is a crossover plane but tone down the throws and put as good of quality servos in it that you would put into the 2-M plane and it will out fly you. It's only draw back is it's a 90 size and it gets thrown about in the wind some.
Before you decide - take a look at the Excelleron threads before you decide - afterall you already have it, why not use it and build towards next year with the next plane.

You stated you have a conflict for Jetero next weekend. Bring the Excelleron to Nederland on the 24th and fly it. You'll be surprised
Just offering another view point. In the end you need to do what makes you happy.
Eddie

Just wonder if Focus II can be outfitted with a gas engine weighted about 2.7 lb (e.g., the new ZDZ 40 FAI). What is the weight of the kit before anything is installed? I used to fly a Sequel designed by the same designer for Focus II (Dave Guerin). Nice airplane. --qc