expectations for IMAC learning and time commitment

[kiosk]

for someone new to IMAC (thou have flown for over a year and can manage a few 3D and things like basic loops, KE, etc...) how realistic is it to learn some pretty good IMAC considering a full-time job, 3 kids (<10 ye old) and inability to attend events except for maybe a couple times a year? and only been able to fly once or twice a week for couple hours?

[JimC-MD]

If you are looking to win the points race in your region that may not be realistic. If you are looking to have a good time, meet great people and put a focus in your flying that will assist you in more rapid improvement in skill I think that is very realistic.

Go to a contest, have fun. Even placing last is a great time. I know from experience.

JMO

[BobPhx]

Everyone will be different. Some people are naturals. I, for one, am not.
Just go to a contest and compete in Basic and see what you think. It's a blast no matter where you finish, and even if you just practice a couple hours a week, you'll be a better pilot for having flown IMAC.

Bob

[Downhumpty]

Any chance them < 10 Yr old kids fly? This sport is a great way to spend family time. I have raised three boys and only the oldest cares nothing about it. The other two have and are still enjoying our sport. Alex, my now twelve year old son has be flying since he was three. I have never presured them to fly, just made it availible to them. I also hold a fun time job and enjoy weekend outings with my son at local and not so local contest. As mentioned above you will meet great people, learn more than the ole brain can obsorb and add to the best times of your life attending an IMAC event. Don't be shy, use this link to www.mini-iac.com to get you started. I have inserted a picture of Alex at his first Youth Masters and a now picture. Youth Master is a kids event for youngsters 16 yrs old and younger. Must be a member of AMA and be profiecent in take off and landing a RC airplane. Find more information at www.joenall.com .

[notorious_benny]

5 flights twice a week should see you progress pretty quickly through the lower classes.

That was my average before this year (studying this year has slowed me down) and I progressed from Sportsman to Unlimited over a period of about three years.

The level of practise required to stay competitive in your class also increases with the class, I would say to stay competitive in unlimited for me would require minimum of two seesions a week, with 3 or 4 seesions a week in the month leading up to a big competition.

One good session (5 flights)a week should keep you comptetive in basic, sportsman and intermediate.

Another point is not just how many times you get out a week but how well you practise. A disciplined training routine will see your flying improve, learn to recognise when a manouver needs special attention, practise that manouvre if required for a whole flight (or day) until you can nail it. Then learn to string your sequences together, dont fly 3D when your practising, and try and stick to a specific routine.

I always fly a proceedure turn on takeoff every flight, a downwind trim pass, a half cuban for a turn-around and then get into the sequence, I do this every IMAC flight or practise flight. Having a routine in practise will help you in competition.

Finally, make sure you are having fun! Competition is not for everyone, some dont find it fun. I personally enjoy practising, I find it challanging but rewarding which is something that tearing holes in the sky has never given me.

Cheers

Benny.

[kiosk]

thx for feedback....i dont really care for winning anything really or to even compete for that matter, just want to have good skill and confidence all around and some consistency too...right now cant even do a basic, and all over the place when I try

does simulator time help at all? i have the G4.5 but dont feel it helps all the time

[Tin man]

What areas are giving you trouble? Might help to just practice flying back and forth in a straight line at first, with say 1/2 Cubans as turn arounds (or rev Cubans).

In any case once you are comfortable flying the sequence things should start coming together. I usually use a stick plane to memorize the sequence.

A sim can help, sure.


--
Mike

[Karmann34]

You'll learn a whole bunch by getting an IMAC pilot to fly your plane around for a minute. Let us know what you find out.
What's a simulator?

[sweetpea]

	Quote: Originally Posted by kiosk
	for someone new to IMAC (thou have flown for over a year and can manage a few 3D and things like basic loops, KE, etc...) how realistic is it to learn some pretty good IMAC considering a full-time job, 3 kids (<10 ye old) and inability to attend events except for maybe a couple times a year? and only been able to fly once or twice a week for couple hours?

Sounds like my life (with one less kid). I could only practice on weekends and I made a bunch of contests the 2nd year I flew. The third year I made like 2 and this year I have not made any.

But I'm a far better pilot and know when a plane isn't trimmed correctly because of IMAC. Go for it. You don't have to win Regionals or TAS to have fun.

[exeter_acres]

Kiosk.... where are you located...

IMAC is awesome.. the people that I know through IMAC are my family away from home......
I'd love to practice more....
but if you can get out a couple times a week... You'll be ahead of most of us!!

[sinergy]

I would say just try one. There is a lot of drama in this hobby and when you go to an IMAC event you leave most of that behind. Everyone I have met through IMAC has been extremely friendly and I enjoy spending time on the weekends with everyone and just having some fun.

A word of advice though... it is VERY addicting