FAI F3AL---Pattern IMAC combined

[Ed Miller]

Unfortunately, my and many others experience with the "Imac" crowd have been
less then favorable. My club has ousted 2 of them and I suspect more in the
future for totally outrageous behavior. Eric writes "The rogue IMAC fliers,
with loud planes and scary flying habits attract a lot of attention and even
cost clubs their flying fields". You bet !! I can't believe the AMA hasn't
stepped up and done something to restore safety. I guess the all mighty
advertising buck has something to do with that. Most of these "gentlemen"
are not nor never will be modelers, they build and repair planes with check
books and pens. They rarely participate in club work activities. Hovering
right in front of the flight line disrupts anyone else trying to fly. The
noise is unbelievable. Flying over the pits, staying up for 30 minutes at a
time, the arrogant attitudes and the "one plane in the air at a time"
syndrome has soured me with Imac. Just recently while buddy boxing with my
youngest son flying his trainer, the Imac boys ( 4 of them ) pulled up right
besides my son with a 30 something % Sukhoi with a 3W twin in it and
proceeded to run the engine in full bore next to my son, right on the flight
line. I've heard all the "few bad apples" excuses, all I can say is most
have gravitated to Imac. I have no desire to see Imac and Pattern get into
bed with each other, when and if they do I'll pack my equipment away and
spend more time on my Harley.
Ed M.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Henderson,Eric" <Eric.Henderson at gartner.com>
To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2003 7:35 PM
Subject: RE: FAI F3AL---Pattern IMAC combined


> I have competed in Scale Aerobatics Nationals and Precision Aerobatics
Nationals at Muncie. I would still be doing it if they had not split the
events by a week or so. (Muncie is OK but going there and back twice in one
month is not for me or my bank balance.)
>
> I have covered both events as a columnist and as just a competitor. The
thing that struck me was that at first, you could be competitive with a
$300-400 scale ARF and not so in pattern. Two years later it has reversed.
It soon became clear that if you did not have the DA 150 size ship you could
not compete for a place. I saw Sportsman class pilots buying 140" planes at
the end of the week. Now, in contrast, we have a plethora of pattern ARF's
that are competitive and the pendulum has swung the other way.
>
> IMAC's biggest problem is noise. (Not flying skill - It's just junk to say
that). I, at their request, sound tested some local guys who were off to an
IMAC contest the following week. They were way over on my meter at their
distances, and yet passed easily at the contest, That raised my eyebrows.
The noise standard for IMAC planes is still very unacceptable at many of my
local clubs. (Not even close to our sound standards!~) If they fixed their
noise standard I would attend more IMAC contests, but my wife gets serious
headaches from the "barking big ones..."
>
> The worst part about IMAC, for me, is freestyle. It encourages some pretty
serious hot-dogging right in the middle of main flying area. The best part
about it for IMAC is that they are highly visible. IMAC pilots can also
declare "Avoidance" if they feel they are too close to another plane. Even
so most who are competing, practice their schedules away from the busy
fields.
>
> The rogue IMAC fliers, with loud planes and scary flying habits attract a
lot of attention and even cost clubs their flying fields. Rogue pattern
pilots don't know how to be rebellious :-)
>
> As regards the pilots and attitudes. Those at the Nat's, in both styles of
flying, are some of the best folks around in both flying and helpfulness.
Where we get into trouble is that IMAC guys are cited and perceived as loud
and brash and pattern guys as snobby and elitist.
>
> Anyone flying a $4000 rig is going to be something that someone out there
does not like. It's not what people have expressed in this list that keeps
folks out of pattern. (It might make you leave?). It is much more that there
a few obvious doors that they can come though. It is sort of like trying to
find a wife by looking pathetic as you shop in the supermarket hoping that
some ideal woman will drop an item that you can retrieve in full "Sir
Galahad" style - not going to happen.
>
> We need programs not protestations,
>
> We need action not advocation,
>
> We need creativity not just conservatism,
>
> Most of all we need expansion of, as Troy said, all aerobatics. Add IMAC
and the NSRCA and you get about 1500 these days...
>
> E.
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: discussion-request at nsrca.org
> [mailto:discussion-request at nsrca.org]On Behalf Of mdarr00 at comcast.net
> Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2003 5:55 PM
> To: discussion at nsrca.org
> Subject: Re: FAI F3AL---Pattern IMAC combined
>
>
>     Jon, I was the judge that zeroed your two inside loops at the Dayton
> contest and Charlie Williams was the other judge, and as I recall he gave
> you a 2 on your two inside loops.  The reason I zeroed your loops
(Sprotsman
> Class) is becase you crossed the flight line on the downward side of your
> second loop and I had to get out of my judging chair in fear that I was
> going to get hit by a 3M 140 powered Focus.
>
> Mike Darr
> District 4
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Jon Uhler" <juhler at bellsouth.net>
> To: <discussion at nsrca.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 30, 2003 1:45 PM
> Subject: re: FAI F3AL---Pattern IMAC combined
>
>
> > >Most IMAC pilots have trouble flying a straight line much less judgeing
a
> > > masters and FAI group in pattern.
> >
> > > over, but we are talking about local contest, not Nats.
> >
> > Marty,
> >
> > I'd be the first to say that I am a rookie in both IMAC and Pattern.
But
> so far it as been my experience that IMAC judging is much more consistent
> than pattern.  I was scored a "0" and "8.5" on the same looping maneuver
at
> a contest. Now I know that as long as humans are judging, there will be
> differences, but 0 to 8.5 is a lot.
> >
> > Also, I went to the NATS this year and watched Intermediate, Advance,
> Masters, and FAI.  With the exception of the FAI, I'd say several pattern
> fliers can't fly a straight line either (and this was not a local contest,
> but the NATS).  I really don't see what the big deal is about the NATS
> anyway.  Do you have to qualify to make the NATS or just pay your $90
bucks?
> There are several of us, IAMC and Pattern boys alike, that need to work on
> flying straight lines.
> >
> > IMAC is at least making an effort with the judging issue by having judge
> seminars around the country.  They are very informative and worth while.
> The only effort that I have seen in the pattern world is the judging tape
> that I borrowed from a friend.  The tape, in my opinion, was not very
clear
> cut on scoring and I think it shows in the results that I have seen at a
> contest.
> >
> > Once again, I will say that I have only been to one contest and wish to
> gain more info as time goes on.
> >
> > So far I love the beauty, learning curve, and friendship offered by both
> groups, but I have to say, the mentality, living in the past attitude, us
> VRS them, and bashing is making it hard enjoy both.
> >
> > Jon
> >
> >
> > =====================================
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> >
> >
>
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