Try something new! R/C Scale Aerobatics!

[TheTank]

We are officially into August and summer is in full swing around the entire country, as well as throughout the Northern Hemisphere! Event schedules are busy and whether you are in to "war bird'in", 3D Huckin, Sail Planes, or "Straight Lining," there are tons of opportunities to get out and and fly what ever type of flying you are in to! The vast event schedule across the country also gives the unique opportunity to check out some different events, and/or styles of flying that we may not be that familiar with and may/may not know much about! With that said, I wanted to share one of my favorite aspects of this hobby with you in hopes that you might check it out for yourself one day and possibly enjoy it as much as I do!

Precision Aerobatics was a style of flying that was introduced to me way back when I was a child and my father got me into to R/C aviation. Shortly after learning to fly, I began to fly precision aerobatics and was introducted to Pattern. Over the years of flying pattern with my father, I created a great respect for that style of flying (among the many others) that would stay with me to this day! Over the past decade or so, my focus on giant scale aircraft led me into the 3D Flight realm, as well as into the world known as Scale Aerobatics, or often referred to as "IMAC" which is an acronym for the International Miniature Aerobatic Club, a special interest group and organization that runs, promotes, and supports all things regarding scale aerobaitcs in the United States and in several other countries! The IMAC organization (www.mini-iac.com) not only coordinates the different regions throughout the country but also provides the "known" sequences to be flown throughout the year for the respective classes as well as the weekly "unknown" sequences that are created, and kept secret until the weekend of a respective contest. IMAC organizes, plans, and runs the R/C Scale Aerobatics portion of the U.S. AMA Nationals each year in Muncie, Indiana.

Over the past several years in IMAC, I have found the quality of the people involved to be of the highest caliber. The group is one of the most friendly, and most outgoing I have ever met. Upon my first visit, several years ago where I simply headed out to a local event just to "lurk" and see what it was all about, I met many guys that were eager to answer all of my questions that I had, and took the time to speak with me although they were in the middle of a contest. I saw guys lending a helping hand, and digging through tool boxes to find parts for other modelers trying to get back in the air. And even saw pilots lending others airplanes in the event that a contestant couldnt get their airplane in the air for a round! I was thoroughly impressed by how outgoing everyone was, making me really want to attend the next contest and compete myself! Once I competed in my first competition, I found it to be the most challenging style of flying I had even done, as well as one of the most fun events I had ever been to!

To any of you out there that have thought about trying scale aerobatics flying, I can not urge you enough to get out to a local event and check it out. Also, many regions host judging seminars and IMAC "primers" which prep pilots on the basics if IMAC style flying in order to get you prepared for your first contest! Another great resource is the IMAC website (www.mini-iac.com) which has tons of information for all levels from beginners to expert and can be a great resource for those wanting to get involved, as well as have a list of current and upcoming contests in your area! Also, don't hesitate to reach out to ANY of the IMAC Officers in your region when you have a question. I can guarantee you that they will be more than happy to assist you in any way they can as I am sure that they want to share, and spread their passion for Scale Aerobatics as I do!

Whether you are in the Northeast, North Central, Northwest, South East, South Central, or South West, there is regional IMAC organization near you! Here is a quick list of upcoming contests in the various regions across the country:

Northeast:
Northeast IMAC Primer in Bridgewater, NJ 8/15
IMAC "Summer Sizzle" in Milford, PA on 8/22-8/23

North Central:
Greater Cincinntti IMAC Challenge, Harrison OH, 8/15-8/16
Great Lakes IMAC Challenge, Toledo OH, 8/22-8/23

Northwest:
IMAC at the Dusters, Woodburn OR, 8/22-8/23
Thrilla in Wasilla, Wasilla AK, 8/29-8/30

Southeast:
Georgia Heatwave, Williamson GA, 8/15-8/16
Clover Creek IMAC Challenge, Toone TN, 9/4-9/5

South Central:
Abilene IMAC Shootout, Abilene TX, 8/22-8/23
Texoma IMAC Challenge, Sherman TX, 9/5-9/6

South West:
Central Coast IMAC Challenge, Santa Maria CA, 8/22-8/23
Napa Wine Country IMAC, Napa CA, 9/19-9/20

Take advantage of these great opportunities to learn about a different style of flying than you may be accustomed to! And as always, reach out and use the resources available to you. There are tons of IMAC members here on FG as well as on the IMAC forums at the mini-iac site. Don't ever hesitate to shoot a message my way as well as I would be delighted to help answer any questions you have, and give you an insight into an area of competition flying that tons have come to appreciate over the years!

--John Banks--
Assistant Regional Director
IMAC, Northeast Region

[askforplanes]

Great article!

JP

[jongurley]

IMAC is addictive,,,

[danielph]

I am just getting into IMAC and love it! It is challenging in a way, but it's also relaxing. Another neat thing about it is the fact that you're not putting your airplane at risk. ;-) Anyway, I can't wait to get into it more, and I'm having fun!

[heligrom]

I'm addicted! Seriously, i printed out the Basic pattern for 09 and i've got it 3/4's the way perfect (or at least perfect to me and the guys at my field) Its AWESOME!! Definitely beats flying around randomly.

[bobrev06x]

nice job JB. i'm looking forward to the event in NH this sept. i've got a couple of other guys that might give it a go along with me. great job with the AJ slick at the huckfest in gardner by the way.

[mayaman]

With this post, i have dug around a little whats going on here in Norway, and its a Norwegian IMAC contest now in September that i am gonna "lurk" around aswell for my first time, thanks for this one!!

[Craven]

Can you do a "Snapasaurus" on takeoff?

[bobrev06x]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Craven
	Can you do a "Snapasaurus" on takeoff?

i'm gonna lay one down and get one of those snappy stickers! going to shoot the vid soon. cant say i'll be snaggin grass with the wing tip but i should be able to pull it off.

[Radioactive]

John, nicely done!!
Don

[wmat7039]

	Quote: Originally Posted by Craven
	Can you do a "Snapasaurus" on takeoff?

Hey Craven... Although MOST of us would love to do that right in front of our peers, this is definitely a no-no... You knew THAT!!!

The discipline of Scale Aerobatics channels all our energies into trying to fly that "perfect sequence". After being in this organization for over 19 years I can honestly tell you I have never accomplished that feat, AND I'm yet to meet the individual who has done so.

I'm still fired up after all these years and the younger generation who are getting involved have brought a high quality, natural ability (born of the "Nintendo fingers" era) that has "upped the bar".

The recent Youth Masters that was held at Triple Tree http://www.joenall.com/new/youthmasters/2009ym1.htm opened up a "road to competition" for youngsters but more importantly, they left the event understanding the importance of good grades, respect for elders and discipline.

What more could you ask for?
Wayne

[edge54033]

Great write up John! Flying with a purpose.

[Wojcigitty]

IMAC is boring. Hovering through a whole tank is where it's at.

[Dan_nO]

	Quote: Originally Posted by wmat7039
	Hey Craven... Although MOST of us would love to do that right in front of our peers, this is definitely a no-no... You knew THAT!!!

Yea Wayne, he knows it....he tried it at an IMAC contest already LOL

[fmnspooch]

Good article T-Bone.

I agree with you 100%. This is my first year competing in IMAC. I can't get enough of it. In my opinion, flying with a purpose improves your overall skills tremendously. I have also learned a ton just watching the more advanced classes. Good stuff!