What is Pattern Flying?
While the most highly skilled radio-control flyers in the world know all about Pattern flying, many other people do not. If you’re new to r/c flying, or have simply focused your attention on other aspects of r/c flight (and there are many that can grab one’s attention), you may still be wondering what “Pattern flying” all about. Pattern is a form of radio-controlled flight. More precisely, it’s the careful execution of a series of precision acrobatic maneuvers within an imaginary box in the sky all according to a special set of guidelines. There are 5 classes (or levels of competition) in Pattern, each higher class marked by increasing complexity and difficulty of maneuvers. These classes include: Sportsman, Intermediate, Advanced, Masters and FAI. The FAI class designates flyers ready to compete in international World Aerobatic Championships. Guidelines for pattern flight cover things like the size and weight of the aircraft (any plane up to eleven pounds, with a maximum wingspan of t
