<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT COLOR="#800040" SIZE=3 FAMILY="SCRIPT" FACE="Comic Sans MS" LANG="0">Good discussion, I wish we could hear from more than just a few on this topic but this is a great start. I never intended to offer up a combined IMAC planes vs. Pattern planes scenario, just a suggestion that someday we might evolve into flying like-kind airplanes as one big happy family. <BR>
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We have always done as the FAI does. We idolize the F3A fliers as the best, we buy their planes, we buy their engines, we buy their radios, we even fly their idea of the best style of flying (turnaround). My suggestion here is that we watch closely what is happening over there and embrace it. I agree with Jim O's post on how these F3A planes are evolving into a more scale like appearance and flight characteristics. The new biplanes, the tailwheels, fixed gears and, god I hope this catches on, GAS engines. Now that the FAI has a proposal to recognize Scale Aerobatics on a World Championships level you just watch where the attention goes. It will eventually influence the smaller planes as well.<BR>
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I agree the best fit might just be to allow the IMAC group to incorporate the newest FAI class into their competitions. I might suggest that IMAC drop the Unlimited class in favor of F3AL, its essentially the same as I read it.<BR>
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Remember guys, there is a difference between an IMAC/SCAT contestant and the local guy that buys a large plane and bounces it thru the pits. Just because its big, doesnt mean he's part of IMAC Aerobatics. I have yet to experience a fella that doesnt deserve to be at the IMAC meet, and if we sense there is a danger, I think he'd be grounded.<BR>
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By the way, when your AirModels 26-12 Carbon Fibre propeller costs $175, you learn how to land ;-)<BR>
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Rick Hannah<BR>
St. Joseph, Michigan</FONT></HTML>