Why Do I Fly Pattern?

 Great question!  While there are as many answers to that question as there are pilots, here is mine: In my relatively brief history with RC airplanes, I have owned and found many ways to creatively crash several trainers and intermediate airplanes.  While my instructors were excellent, their goal was to teach me to fly safely and to “have a good time.”  I did learn to fly safely.  I could do basic loops, rolls, and even a knife edge, sort of.  I still did not have confidence in what I was doing.  For me, what was missing was discipline.

Having previously been a charter pilot and flight instructor for almost four years, I was not comfortable with just “punching a hole in the sky” with my airplanes.  You will find that many aerobatic Pattern pilots use that phrase.  While it may have looked like I knew what I was doing, I was often flying “behind” the airplane; reacting to what is was doing and not being “in front” of the airplane.  Simply put, the airplane was flying me more than I was flying it.  The bottom line was that I needed more structure and discipline if I were to continue with this hobby, and Pattern flying gives me the structure and discipline I need to finally get “in front” of my airplane.

Classes – Degrees of Difficulty

Pattern flying has five classes of maneuvers, based on an increasing level of difficulty and piloting skills.  I am currently in the Sportsman class, which is the “beginner” class.  The remaining classes are, in order of progression, Intermediate, Advanced, Masters and FAI.  My understanding is that I will be forced to move up to the Intermediate class when I place first or second in two meets, which is why I was not in a hurry to compete last year.  I am much more comfortable with my plane this year, but I’m sure I’ll be a nervous wreck for my first competition.

What kind of plane can fly Pattern?

Generally, any reasonably stable airplane can be flown in pattern competition.  Since the emphasis is on slower developing maneuvers, no snap-rolls at my level!  Judges can easily see how well you control your airplane in flight.  Unless you are very good at very small control inputs on the transmitter, control movements need to be greatly reduced.  You can’t easily fly pattern with a 3D airplane.  Also, most airplanes that fly in Pattern competition have more longitudinal stability, meaning that the length of the fuselage is equal to or longer than the wing span.  In brief, a stable airplane is meant to “stay where put.”

I fly a Piedmont Focus Sport with a wing span of 66 inches and a fuse length of 72 inches.  This is a very stable airplane, and for me, a real treat to fly.

Where are the contests held?

We are in District 6, which also includes AR, CO, LA, NM, & OK.  Unfortunately, it appears that most of the competitions are in the area around Houston and Southern Louisiana.  We do have a competition at the North Dallas field in mid to late September, and there are two competitions in Albuquerque.  Perhaps, if we can get more pattern pilots in the Dallas area, we can have more competitions here and not have to travel so far.  I know that I’d appreciate that.

If you are interested in finding out more about Pattern flying, I suggest you go to the following site: http://nsrca.us/.  You will find a wealth of information on Pattern Flying.