1 Day IMAC Contest

[bdawg]

There are some good points on both sides here, but just keep in mind that the Imac BOD and community has worked hard for the past 5 (?) years or so to get and keep things consistent across all the regions. I think for the most part they have done a very good job at doing that.

A one day event in the southern regions where it can be 95 degrees + would result in a lot of dehydrated pilots and judges with burned retinas that would be in no shape to drive home.

Like one of the previous posts said, I like visiting and learning from the others when I travel to the events. Until a few years ago I was the only guy in a city of 4.5 million people who was doing Imac. I had no help at all. By having available time at the standard 2 day formats, I was able to learn from the Upper class guys and get to where I'm at now. This could never have happened in a one day venue. Heck, I even learned something from Wayne Geffon and his brother Mike McConville.

Allan

[Dan_nO]

I also agree with Wayne. With the expense now involved with traveling for what gas and Diesel fuel cost, motel on top of that, I wouldnt drive very far either to go to a one day contest.

[Wayne]

I have flown at Jeff's contests for the last several years..
We have always left pretty early on Sundays.

One Unknown and one Known. Awards and Cya.....

This is another reason to do Freestyle on Saturday night if there is going to be a Freestyle competition.

I also think pilots moving back a class (for no points) is not a good idea.

[Downhumpty]

If I am the only contestant in my class I would like to get my 1000 points! If I attend and fly I feel as if I already paid for it.

Kent

[Temptation]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Downhumpty
	If I am the only contestant in my class I would like to get my 1000 points! If I attend and fly I feel as if I already paid for it. Kent

I agree 100%.

[MattyMatt]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Temptation
	I agree 100%.

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.

[Al Lewis]

I'm totally new to IMAC but it would seem to me right off that limiting the number of pilots would mean that none of the points would count. If you had 26 IMAC pilots try to sign up and cut it off at 25 why should those 25 be able to earn points in the standings when the other pilot wanted to participate but was not allowed.

[Wayne]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Al Lewis
	I'm totally new to IMAC but it would seem to me right off that limiting the number of pilots would mean that none of the points would count. If you had 26 IMAC pilots try to sign up and cut it off at 25 why should those 25 be able to earn points in the standings when the other pilot wanted to participate but was not allowed.

That is a great point...

I think the bottom line is that the current system works and is in place for a reason.

[aviti]

Let's face it. IMAC is a whole weekend no matter how you slice it. Even if you live in town, you leave early Sat morning, get home Sat evening and leave again first thing in the morning. It's like saying you're gonna try to fit weekend getaway in one day.

Knowing this, you plan the number of contests accordingly. I flew my first 2 contests last year and this year I'm hoping to do 3. I have a 2 year old son at home plus I enjoy regular fly-ins and just flying at the local field on Sat or Sunday. Other guys only think IMAC and for them it's no big deal to be gone almost every weekend.

I feel you should base your plans on how many weekends you can devote to contests. If you can't or don't want to devote a whole weekend, then maybe reconsider whether you should be in competitions. Just my opinion I know, but I don't think a 1 day event is a good idea.

[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.