I decided to design my own pattern plane for a scratch build. While I have ogled many a pattern plane and generally know what they should look like, I don't specifically know what makes a good design.
Here is what I have so far.

I would recommend picking an existing airplane you like. Change the fuselage shape and rudder fin to start. Keep the wing airfoil and shape same as the existing and also the moment arms the same.
You will probably be able to purchase foam wing cores and stab cores easily rather than cut your own. You may find you purchase these already sheeted.

Then build your airplane, from this you will see and learn what works and what does not work.
Designing a good pattern ship or any airplane is not an easy task, it is a long process to become good.

My $.02 worth.

Orlando

What makes a good Pattern plane is simple to define, but hard to realize: wide speed envelope, minimal coupling, strong but very light (especially if going electric), highly resistant to wind, etc. Sounds easier than it actually is. For starters you're probably going to need some more fuse side area to help with knife edge flight. Look at some of the more successful MODERN designs: Black Magic, Pentathlon, Prestige, Astral, etc. What type of planes have you designed previously? What are you flying now?

John Pavlick
Team Black Magic

I've only designed from scratch a couple foamys. Scratch built from measurements of a PT40 a 40" span foamy trainer. Scratch built from 3 views a 35" span ultimate biplane and a 20% spitfire. Scratch built from plans a profile edge 540. I have most recently been flying the previously mentioned spitfire and edge. As far a pattern experience, I flew a Hobbico Spectrum and GWS formosa for a couple of years. I am building this for personal use, not as a design to market or to use in competition, but that doesn't mean I don't want it to be a good design.

More side area, like so?

That fuselage looks a bit narrow too.

?

Lower the stab.
Increase wing cord (possible)
Taper the wing trailing edge.
Reduce Span, should be shorter than body length
It looks to strange, do point 2
Highest part of the body to far forward
Shape the wing tips similar to stab tips


Then go to Oxai.com.
They have some nice profile drawing of the latest super planes.
Copy 'em!