Paul Kopp

One Of the fastest-growing Radio
Control (RC) competitions is Precision
Aerobatics—primarily IMAC (International
Miniature Aerobatic Club) events.
A large number of new IMAC pilots have
been in the hobby for several years, and are
attracted to the new challenge of precision flight.
The majority of these pilots are entry level, but
IMAC has also attracted pilots with experience in
other RC competitions—primarily AMA Pattern.
Pattern and IMAC develop similar skills,
so it is not surprising to see a bridge between
the two. A competitor who is interested in
Pattern should be encouraged to try IMAC,
and the other way around.
Even at upper levels, many of the top
IMAC, Tournament of Champions (TOC), and
Masters pilots are active in Pattern and IMAC.
Eric Henderson—my counterpart who
writes the “Radio Control Aerobatics”
column— listed several good entry-level
airplanes for Pattern. Several of the models on
his list sell for less than $300—far less than
most two-meter Pattern airplanes or 35%
IMAC airplanes. Those airplanes would also
be good for IMAC.