Getting Started In IMAC

[rcolle]

I am getting into IMAC next season (2010), and know nothing about it...other thank its the RC version of IAC.
I've been looking for a thread outlining the process of getting involved (without luck), so I thought I'd just tell my story as it goes.

Oct 09:
A google search led me to www.mini-iac.com. I read through the site, found that being in Las Vegas, I would be in the SW Region. I talked my friend into joining too. I found out that i can fly almost anything in Basic, so I plan to use what I have:

Primary Plane:
Aeroworks 85" Yak54
DLE-55 w Vess 23x8b
7985's on ailerons/elevators
7950TH on Rudder
7.4v LiIon w Regs on Rec/Ign

Back Up Plane:
H9 Funtana x100
O.S. 1.20
645's all around

Nov 09:
I noticed the calandar has been updated on the IMAC site, and the Basic Knowns have been published. I printed it out and started practicing on the sim.

I found a really informative article about setting up your plane:
http://www.flyinggiants.com/forums/f...erobatics.html

[fish2keel]

I am in the same boat as you...except im flying a 89" slick 540. I cant find a good thread on a good 100cc imac plane :/ Ill follow this and if i find anything ill keep your posted

[Carolina_Blue]

Welcome to the world of IMAC! You will soon learn that these are some of the best people in the hobby. Best advice I can give you is try to find an experienced pilot in your area and follow him to the field. It is alot easier to learn first hand than it is by reading it on the internet. Although you can learn a lot here too.
You can go back to the IMAC website and get the SW regional directors email address. Send him an email and I am sure he wil point you in the right direction.

Good Luck to you and remember to have fun.

[jmoesdad]

unless transportation is a problem, skip the 100cc and get a used 40%. if you stick with imac it is almost a guarantee you will end up in the higher classes with a 40. good luck, im going into my 2nd year and love imac.

[yakpilot]

Welcome to IMAC. It's a wonderful experience and can be very rewarding and possibly addicting. Your fellow competitors will be most friendly and helpfull so don't be afraid to introduce yourself and/or ask for help or advise. Don't fall prey to "airplane envy" on your first contests as it is the pilot that places well and not the plane.I've watched many times where a well practiced pilot with a 30% plane will spank a field of 35-40%ers. Having said that, try not to worry about where you place at first and just go for the fun and the experience. It can be a little intimidating flying in front of judges for the first time (everytime for some of us) and fellow pilots. But just remember we all started just where you are now so there is no need to be self conscious or anything. I personnally just compete to improve my flying and give myself a goal to work towards and not care too much how I place against others.
Before my first contest I thought I was a pretty decent pilot but was suddenly humbled by flying straight lines or symmetrical loops. Not to worry though, it just takes a some focused practice and it really helps to find a more experienced pilot to coach you and call for you at contests. Also try to attend a judging school if you can. Though you may not be called on to judge right away it really helps your practice to know what the manuevers are supposed to look like and the possible downgrades. Above all just have FUN. In my area events are more social gatherings than hard fought contests anyway. Although most of the pilots work very hard to improve their skills, they don't get too serious at contest time.
Sorry for the long post, and I wish you good luck.
Rob

[The Dirt Doctor]

Your SW Regional IMAC Director is Tim Attaway, his email address is trattaway@cox.net. He can answer your IMAC questions and point you in the right direction.

Good luck.

Bobby aka TDD

[rcolle]

Yes, I can hardly wait until Jan 16 for the first event. Although, I feel like I have a ton of practicing to do! I will email Mr Attaway to see if he can recommend someone in my area that I could meet up with to see how it all works in person.

[sweetpea]

I assume since you are SW vegas you are flying at the Bennett field?

I'd take the trek up to the North field on a Saturday morning and chat with the guys up there. Alot of IMAC flyers at the North field and they fly every Saturday morning (normally on the left side). They are the ones that got me into it. Ask for Frank Kelley.......very nice guy out there with loads of IMAC knowledge.

[rcolle]

	Quote: Originally Posted by sweetpea
	I assume since you are SW vegas you are flying at the Bennett field? I'd take the trek up to the North field on a Saturday morning and chat with the guys up there. Alot of IMAC flyers at the North field and they fly every Saturday morning (normally on the left side). They are the ones that got me into it. Ask for Frank Kelley.......very nice guy out there with loads of IMAC knowledge.

Both fields, they're about equally as far for me unfortunatly.
I donk know if you remember me, but I was the one who won the raffled PAU edge at your event at the north field 3 years ago.

[sherman89]

rcolle, for the first few IMAC contests the plane is not important, gathering experience is. As yakpilot has said, practice under the guidance of an IMAC flyer from a higher class is very important. It is of no use to practice unknown mistakes. Ask me how I know that! I am flying a H9 35% Extra and am in Basic and after 2 contests behind me I will be preparing for the 2010 year. Do a judging seminar as I will be doing this Jan/2010. You will learn at the clinic about what the manuvers are supposed to look like, then you can start eliminating mistakes in your flying and trust me there will be lot's of them. Good luck and have fun.

[customcover]

I couldn't agree more with sherman89's post. I flew my first 4 IMAC's in 2009 and thought I had the perfect plane, it turned it didn't and I am changing planes this year. Go out and just practice with some fellow IMAC'ers, they are the best bunch of people you'll ever meet.
Join IMAC its well worth the twenty bucks, plus if you fly several contests you'll get that back in reduced pilot fees. There is a welth of info on the IMAC web site once you join. Most importnatly go out and try it, I'm sure you'll have a blast.
Worry about the plane later, many of us never find that right plane for flying IMAC. Many pilots get a plane different every season.

Later

[sweetpea]

	Quote: Originally Posted by rcolle
	Both fields, they're about equally as far for me unfortunatly. I donk know if you remember me, but I was the one who won the raffled PAU edge at your event at the north field 3 years ago.

Yes I remember you (I was supposed to win it, you know!). You are in good hands at the North field with IMAC flyers. There are a few at the Bennett field but not as many. Good Luck flying this year.

[bubbagates]

I was once told and I beleive it, that 25 practice flights equals about one contest flight.

So far all suggestions are very valid and are good starting points but a couple other things will help as well

Even though you have a backup plane, do not switch between them. Get used to one plane and stick with it.

Second is get the trimming article on the IMAC site by Peter Goldberg and follow it religiously. A well trimmed plane, BEYOND the trim tabs on your radio is a must. Otherwise you spend a lot of the flight just trying to fly the plane and not concentrating on the maneuver at hand.

Third, learn to use the rudder, in IMAC that is a control you will be using a lot. Remember, IMAC type flying is all about control of the line (track) the plane is flying and not about how the plane looks while it's flying. IMAC judges are watching the CG point on the plane. You could be cocked 30 degrees to the side on a vertical line from doing your wind-correction but as long as that line is truly vertical, being cocked 30 degrees will not matter.

One thing to remember is flying a perfectly straight, wings level and wind corrected line is hard as heck to do.I know that sounds silly but for first time IMAC pilots that is probably the most common thing I see as a judge and I spend loads of time as a judge. All maneuvers start and end with the wings level and flying horizontally.

While you are at a contest, feel free to go scribe for the judges, you will be surprised just how much you will learn and you may have lots of downtime between your flights to do this

One thing that was mentioned and 'll reiterate, you will be flying in front of judges, that alone will most likely make you nervous. Remember to breath. Also the guys that end up helping you ,may sometimes seem like they are being a bit nit-picky, but trust me, they need to be because that is what a judge is going to be like. His job is to look for even the smallest of mistakes. I personally like have a judge that has been flying in Unlimited for some time. These pilots know exactly where you are going to make your mistakes and also where you are going to try to hide those small little rudder/aileron corrections long before you even realize it. They've been there and done that....

And most of all, have fun...that's what it's all about

Oh Yea, Tim is a great guy, he can certainly help you

[rcolle]

I ended up crashing the Katana i started this plan with. It was last weekend. I flew the basic routine 3 times each direction. I got side tracked and started messing around. I did a full throttle knife edge push too low and lost it in the bushes. Luckily I did not wreck anything but the airframe. That night I got a 85" Aeroworks Yak54. My friends and I had it 90% ready to go that night but decided not to push it and rush it into the air. I finished up the remaining details and maidened it today at Bennett. This plane flies alot better than the katana and will have less work to do to get it ready for competition. I didn't even set this one up for any kind of 3D in hopes that it will help me stay focused on the routine.

[Murocflyer]

Listening and learning. Thanks for sharing this info.

Frank