IMAC INTERNATIONAL 

 

IMAC is a non-profit organization focusing on pilot education and maintenance of rules and guidelines governing the sport of radio control scale aerobatics.

 

Originally started ina 1974 as a Special Interest Group under the US modeling organization, AMA, the International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC)  has grown to represent and organize scale aerobatic competition on a global level.  Pilots interested in scale aerobatic competition are encouraged to join and support the organization’s mission.

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As with full-scale competition, pilots are separated into classes with each class getting progressively more challenging.  Each class has a “known” sequence published every year that is flown at every event held during that calendar year. In the higher classes, a sequence is presented to the pilot at the event that they have not seen before (called an “unknown”). 

Scoring is based by “round” which consists of all pilots in a class flying their sequence in front of the same judges.  The pilots are then ranked within that round.  The judges are changed and the pilots fly their sequences again.  By rule, the pilot’s lowest round(s) may be dropped.  In the end, the pilot in a class with the highest score wins the event.

There are five main classes:

• Basic – Entry level class with basic aerobatic maneuvers.  Pilots in this class may fly ANY plane of any size which does NOT have to be a scale model of a competition plane.  This class flies only a KNOWN sequence.

• Sportsman – Maneuvers get just a little more challenging and pilots are now required to use scale model aircraft.  In this class, unknowns are introduced. 

• Intermediate – Maneuvers increase in difficulty as slightly more complex figures are introduced.  Unknowns become more challenging.

• Advanced – In this class, the pilot should be able to fly most any figure presented.  The difficulty here is that sequences get more challenging as more complex figures are added together.

• Unlimited – exactly what it sounds like….no limits!  Pilots in this class are presented with the most challenging sequences and complex unknowns.  A true test of pilot and machine that requires experience and skill developed over time.

 

In addition to precision aerobatic classes, IMAC offers also a more spectacular class: 

• Free Style – No predefined figures as anything goes in this class!  Pilots are judged on originality, musicality, and general piloting skills.  Free Style is the most popular part of an event for the non-flying crowd.  Free Style competition is open to pilots of ANY class but the pilot must also compete in a precision class.