Penelope RC

All over North America, pilots test their skills by competing in Scale Aerobatics, otherwise known as IMAC. Do you have what it takes to be an IMAC pilot?

Quick facts about IMAC

• In IMAC, pilots try to duplicate as closely as possible aerobatic maneuvers flown in full-scale competitions of the IAC.

• Pilots fly in one of five categories: Basic, Sportsman, Intermediate, Advanced, and Unlimited. 
• In all categories except Basic, pilots must fly scale aerobatic planes such as an Extra, Edge, Yak, Sukhoi, or Pitts. In Basic, anything goes!
• Each fall, a new sequence of maneuvers is published for each category. The following year, the pilots will be judged on this sequence. You can find these sequences in Penelope RC's Competitor and Judging tools.
• In addition, all categories except Basic receive a “surprise” unknown sequence at each contest, which they must fly on the spot – no practice allowed! You can find a link to some past unknowns in the Competitor and Judging tools.

So how do you get started?

If you are interested in IMAC, the first thing to do is to download the mandatory sequence for this year. Most pilots will start in the “Basic” category, for which you can find the sequence here. Other sequences can be found in Penelope RC's Competitor and Judging tools.

Sequences are written using the Aresti notation. You can find help understanding this notation in Penelope RC's Competitor and Judging tools. It's also important to know the rules according to which you will be judged. Download the Rules and Regulations as well.

Once you know what you are striving for, practice the basic sequence one maneuver at a time, and then string them together; it may not be as easy at it looks, but don’t worry, it will come together in time! It can be very helpful to ask another IMAC pilot from your club or area to comment on your flying. If you can get someone else involved, you can also practice judging each other.  

You can also gain a competitive advantage by properly trimming your plane. Trimming refers to the process of mixing and programming your radio so that unwanted tendencies and coupling are eliminated in your plane. For example, programming a mix that gives a bit of down elevator each time you are at low-throttle (on a downline) can eliminate the tendency a plane has to "pull out" of a downline. You can download a trimming chart in Penelope RC's Competitor and Judging tools.

What are you judged on?

IMAC pilots are judged on the accuracy of their maneuvers. Each maneuver starts off being worth 10 points, and points are deducted according to the following rules:

• You must fly as close to perfect horizontal, vertical, and 45 degree lines in each of your maneuvers. If you deviate from those, on any axis, you are penalized 1 point per 10 degrees.
• You are also penalized 1 point per ten degrees each time your wings are not level during a maneuver. 
• Every time the radius of your loops or part-loops changes within a figure, you lose 1 point.
• Each time the rotation rate changes during a roll, you lose 1 point.
• If your rolling elements are not centered on the line that include them, you can lose 1 point or more. 

There are also a some rules associated with particular figures. The complete rules can be found in the IMAC rules and regulations. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with this book, since all contestants may be called upon to judge other categories (usually categories lower then theirs) during contests.

What are the best things about IMAC?

• It teaches us to control the plane in all attitudes and conditions; we improve our piloting skills every time we practice or compete. More advanced competitors will judge you and give you tips every time you fly.
• It fuels our competitive spirit; IMAC competitors are very determined but extremely friendly!
• IMAC is a great way to travel the province, country or continent; you get to compete side to side with the top-notch pilots of the world, visit clubs hidden in all parts of the country and meet like-minded people who quickly become your friends.