1 Day IMAC Contest

[Temptation]

	Quote: Originally Posted by MattyMatt
	Agreed. I also agree about having to drive longer distance about it being two days. But, what if they were smaller closer contests. Could there be more of them? Many fields you can not camp at night... this could make them an option. My point is that the 2 day contest also excludes many people that would like to compete but may not be able to because of time, the cost to drive so far, and nightly accomodations. Years ago when it was still called the aerobatic biplane association (yes I was involved back then very early) they did have 1 day contests... same with pattern. If you had smaller more local contests, you could run only certian classes instead of trying to fill all of them. For example, typically, when IMAC/Pattern starts in an area that doesn't already have a developed program, the first few classes are the only classes flown. Or maybe, they split them into different weekends. Just thoughts... Believe me, I'm not saying I have an issue with the current program, but I can understand the rational behind a one day event. Hell... the Rocky Mount contest wound up being a on day event and was great. BTW: the current program almost forces you into 3 days not 2. Most contests start at 8am on Saturday, which requires you to leave on Friday. This is reality.

I agree with you in many aspects. I too, would like to attend one day events so I could be home on Sunday, but unfortunatley like I said in an earlier post the disadvantages out weight the advantages. I have attended pattern contests that we ended up finishing in one day due to low attendance. The only problem with that is you don't know if it will be wraped up in one day until you are more than 1/2 way through Saturday.

Pattern attendance in NSRCA District 4 has really been struggling for the past couple of years. I don't know if the IMAC numbers are dropping or not, but I do know that there are almost twice as many pilots competing in IMAC contests in our area compared to pattern. I'm not sure what is causing this. I would like to blame it on gas prices, but if that was true, that should effect IMAC also. What gives???

[MattyMatt]

My guess: 3D. Pattern planes don't 3D. Also, all the larger events are "TOC" style...

[ifly3d]

Lets all so, dont leave out the points race. The way the new system is you would not get as many points if you had small contest ( less pilots at 5 points a piece), which in my oppion hurts the smaller contest.

Josh

[mflander]

Pattern = 11lb glow planes. IMAC = Gas and as big as you want planes. Watching/flying/spectating IMAC contests sounds a heck of a lot more interesting to me than a pattern contest. Not to mention the opportunity to see freestyles!

[Temptation]

	Quote: Originally Posted by MattyMatt
	My guess: 3D. Pattern planes don't 3D. Also, all the larger events are "TOC" style...

You very well could be right. Watching pattern in not very appealing to many people. In fact neither is IMAC, but like you said, IMAC has 3D/Freestyle. That is what people want to see. On the other hand actually flying pattern is very fun in my opinion, and is the same as IMAC minus the 3D/Freestyle part of it. I don't know the answer to this, so I am asking. How many local IMAC contests have Freestyle? Of the ones that do, what percentage of pilots compete in the Freestyle? Is this really a factor? I believe that IMAC planes are just more appealing, and everywhere. If you go to a local club you will see a lot of pilots flying planes that could be flown in an IMAC contest, even if that pilot doesn't compete. You don't see too many pilots with pattern planes if they don't actually compete in pattern. Since I am a diehard pattern pilot I wish is wasn't this way, but we (pattern pilots) just have to accept it for what it is.

[aviti]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Temptation
	You very well could be right. Watching pattern in not very appealing to many people. In fact neither is IMAC, but like you said, IMAC has 3D/Freestyle. That is what people want to see. On the other hand actually flying pattern is very fun in my opinion, and is the same as IMAC minus the 3D/Freestyle part of it. I don't know the answer to this, so I am asking. How many local IMAC contests have Freestyle? Of the ones that do, what percentage of pilots compete in the Freestyle? Is this really a factor? I believe that IMAC planes are just more appealing, and everywhere. If you go to a local club you will see a lot of pilots flying planes that could be flown in an IMAC contest, even if that pilot doesn't compete. You don't see too many pilots with pattern planes if they don't actually compete in pattern. Since I am a diehard pattern pilot I wish is wasn't this way, but we (pattern pilots) just have to accept it for what it is.

I think IMAC is more popular for the reasons you mentioned. One other reason is that I don't think much is done to promote pattern. I couldn't tell you where the nearest pattern contest is to where I live. I rarely see true pattern planes at the local flying fields either. I know some areas are more active than others but either they don't have many contests near me or I just don't hear about them.

[Wayne]

Tony,

What events are you doing this year?

[aviti]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Wayne
	Tony, What events are you doing this year?

Roxanna the end of May, then not sure from there. I was hoping Effingham would have it again but don't see it on the IMAC site. I saw it on some other club site though. Also looking at Springfield, St Charles, and possibly Kansas City. I'd like to make 3 contests. Any suggestions? Unfortunately, I don't think I can make the second Roxanna event since it is Labor Day weekend I the family has a weekend trip tentatively scheduled.

I managed to fly the sportsman sequence about 6 times yesterday. Still a little rough but at least have the maneuvers memorized now.

[wmat7039]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Temptation
	On the other hand actually flying pattern is very fun in my opinion, and is the same as IMAC minus the 3D/Freestyle part of it.

Hi Mike....you are also forgetting one of the main differences...that being UNKNOWNS.
Wayne

[Aerobat]

We just did the FARM contest last weekend. Because it was well-run, we flew 3 rounds on Saturday, and an unknown and a 4th round Sunday, and were on the road by 1 PM. I don't see how you could get a decent contest done in a day unless attendance was very low.

[Temptation]

	Quote: Originally Posted by wmat7039
	Hi Mike....you are also forgetting one of the main differences...that being UNKNOWNS. Wayne

That is not completley true. FAI fly's an unknown at the NATS. The pilots that make the finals take turns picking the maneauvers that will become the unknown the night before the finals.

FAI also fly's unknowns at the Worlds.

If you are just refering to little old local contests, then yes you are correct, we do not fly unknowns.

[wmat7039]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Temptation
	That is not completley true. FAI fly's an unknown at the NATS. The pilots that make the finals take turns picking the maneauvers that will become the unknown the night before the finals. FAI also fly's unknowns at the Worlds. If you are just refering to little old local contests, then yes you are correct, we do not fly unknowns.

Hi Mike...Yes, I am aware that the FAI Class have that. However, this thread was directed at one day contests wasn't it? And I don't think that the FAI class is flown at these local contests?
Wayne