Getting started in IMAC

[WillPetrey21]

Hi guys, im new to the site (Bad Ass site), and would like to start competiting in imac with my H9 Extra. Is there anything thing i need to know before going to my first contest. Any tips or tricks with practicing? I have read everything on the imac site, but was looking for more advice. Also just searching around here too it seems like judging is a big problem with imac. Is it really as bad as some make it out to be? From what i have read here, it seems like the fun is taken out of imac with the judging. I hope this is not the case because i really would like to start competiting, but i ask myself if it is a big problem online, i wonder how it is at an actual imac contest. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

William

[Rebel]

Hi William,
The best thing to do is ignore the online stuff and just practice alot and go compete. This season is pretty much over but you can still get ready for next season. The worst thing you can do is sit around and talk about it.
Hope this helps

[Redneck Shaun]

Hey Will,
I just got in to IMAC myself. I flew my first contest a couple weeks ago.I haven't seen the scoring problem as some have complained about. Just remember that when you start flying the sequence for first time, remember to "BREATH"!!!
LOL........It scarred me to death the first time, but the next couple I really relaxed and enjoyed. I believe you will find lots of people to help you get started when you fly your first contest. Just ask questions.
Shaun

[BR289]

Just take the time to practice the routine BOTH ways! Its important because you never know which way the wind will blow if it does....I made the mistake of trying to learn the routine in about 3 flights the night before my first IMAC, and only one way. When I went out to fly my last sequence the wind was going the opposite direction and I flew it the way I practiced it. Its hard to make a clean stall going downwind
Good Luck

[yoyosmuggler]

William,
I flew my first season in imac this year in basic also with a h9 extra. Like everyone says...practice, practice practice. There is no subsitute for stick time. My first sequence I was so nervous that I had to take my thumb off of the rudder stick because it was shaking so bad. Even the guys in unlimited get the jitters too. Just try to relax, get a good caller who can calm you down and talk you thru the sequence. Best callers are usually the guys who fly the more advanced classes. There is a great group of guys in imac and everyone will help you. After you fly the judges will usually give you pointers on things you need to work on. Be smooth and stay in the box, which is 100 ft. out from the flight line. Most beginners stay in too close, including myself. It is actually easier to fly staying out farther. Be sure to draw a nice straight line at the end of each maneuver, it is required and judged and also makes your sequence present much cleaner. The single thing that helped me the most was to attend a flying and judging seminar. They teach you how each maneuver should be done and knowing exactly how to do each one is half the battle.
Just remember to have fun, I always tell myself just before entering the box "its just a walk in the park" and it seems to calm me down and take the pressure off. You will be hooked after the first contest...I know I was.

Good luck!

[excelpoint]

G,day Will. You will always get people complaining about scores they got and so on. Its not to say that IMAC is not fun because it is but there is also a serious side to which is the scoring part. Getting consistent judging is extremly hard because different judges see things differently, the main thing is as long as they are consistant in how they score certain manouvers. When you eventually sit in the chair to judge yourself you will understand what I mean. I would suggest putting your hand up to scribe for a judge and try to see what the downgrades that he is giving are for. Get a hold of the IMAC Judging guide and read it and understand it this will help you with what judges SHOULD be looking for. Just remember it is fun and what you take away from it is up to you.

[at7driver]

HI all,

planning on getting into the competition next season but wanted to ask about aircraft requirements for basic. After reading online it seems you dont need a scale bird for the basic catagory. probably is a stupid question but.. I have a H9 Funtana 100X with a saito 125 and wondered if that would meet the requirements to get started ??? any thoughts. thanks in advance.

david
sharpsburg, ga.

[yoyosmuggler]

David,
You can fly anything with wings in basic.

[Biff]

ROCK IT!! Dude you will be welcomed with open arms and helped through the process. One thing I would do is go to your first contest without a plane. This sounds stupid, but it will take the scary out of it. Show up, introduce yourself to the CD and ASK QUESTIONS! YOu'll get a feel for what happens and will make new friends in the process.

Another GIANT thing is to find yourself somebody who know's the ropes in your area. Having somebody to practice with and call for you is another thing that will make you feel more prepared. Practicing mistakes makes for perfect mistakes!

The IMAC crowd will embrace you and freely offer support and help. Flying infront of judges for the first time is always nerve smashing. If you approach IMAC as a way to have fun and improve your flying faster than anything else you can do, you will have a blast! It's not really competing against your buddies, it's more about pushing your skills!

A couple things to ALWAYS remember; Competitive flying isn't scary, it's fun and you will get 100% support from your competitors. A 40% airplane with the latest servos, transmitter, motor, prop, exhaust, new trailer, new truck and snappy matching flying shirts with your caller won't do as much for your flying as PRACTICE!! There is simply no substitute for burning gas with a good caller/coach. You can buy your way into the winners circle at a couple contests, but not for long! It really isn't about what you fly, it's about HOW you fly! There is NO perfect airplane!

Fly for the fun of it. Enjoy IMAC for the people time as much as the airplane time. DO NOT SKIP a class or jump up too soon! Enjoy the process. Each class teaches you skills you'll need for the next. There are no points awarded for who gets to unlimited the fastest. You can always move up, but can't move down. It's the journey not the destination!

Ask TONS of questions! There are no secrets in IMAC. Have someone help you get whatever you are flying trimmed to it's fulest capability. You'd be amazed how little you have to work with a properly trimmed/mixed airplane.


Another thing to do is attend a judges seminar. You'll learn what judges are looking for and you will also be asked to judge at meets with contestant judges (almost 100% are). BIG thing here, volunteer at contests! Folks doing all the leg work ALWAYS need an extra hand!

Be prepared to fly all 10's, but be ready to get judged all zeros GRACEFULLY!

Dude you will love flying IMAC and one thing I can promise you; in 4 months of practice, all of your club members will want to know how you got so good so fast! Enjoy the hobby is job #1. I got a feeling you will be hooked after your first judged flight. HAVE FUN DUDE!!!

[at7driver]

haha,

thats great, as of today she still has wings on her. didnt want to show up and not be able to compete, er, attempt to fly. thanks again. looking forward to giving it a go next season. I have 6 channel but am going to get a 9c futaba to start practicing with and learning all those sequences. A different world than just doing the 3D stuff. What are your opinions about the funtana and its ability to do the precision flying. I know the real limiting factor wont be the birds. haha.. thanks again.

david

[Biff]

David, best advice I can give you is "It ain't the Tommyhawk, it's the Indian" ! Your plane will be fine. Going from 3D to precision flight is a real eye opener! I've seen torque roll masters go to their first contest and enter advanced,,,not pretty! Honestly you could show up with a Goldberg Cub with a Saito 90 and be in the hunt,, if you're practiced up! Don't worry about a thing, your plane's competitive. You'll have a blast!!

[khedge]

Hi my name is Karl, I want to compete in IMAC too but, is it possible if u are a college student? I have a H9 260 I want to compete wit. What things a re required to compete in IMAC like what do u have read on the website, fees etc.

Thanks Karl

[Docvan46]

Will:

What Biff said is 'gold'. Take it to the bank! I'm in the same boat as you, hoping to compete next year. I just went to Ocala, Florida contest last weekend, got a sunburn, and learned an incredible amount running scores from the judges back to the contest director's computer. Sitting in at the pilot's meeting, listening to the judges, and hanging out with the competitors is the best education.

It's designed to be fun. Precision flying is a goal; but a lot of people just have fun competing, and getting better.

Look for me at the field. I'll be the old guy with the sunburn.

Docvan

[TheTank]

I cant say enough good things about IMAC, DOOOOO IT, dooooooooo it, youll love it.

[at7driver]

Hi,

Thanks for the advice and the tips, thats what I am looking for.. what to do before I get there. I took the family over to triple tree for the masters and all I can say is WOW.. those guys are incredible. This question is going to be really awful BUT I need to ask.. I have some friends that do the full scale aero stuff but I have never done any at all. I printed out the 2007 sequences and.. well what do the arrows, dashes etc etc.. mean.. ugh I hate even asking but need to know. probably a better question would be what book, if any, would you recommend for learning about reading the sequences, radio setup, tips on flying techniques, etc... thanks again for not hammering me with the what are you kidding me stuff, yet anyway.. haha..

david