RC SCALE AEROBATICS
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES AND PREPARATION BASICS
By John Glezenllis | jglezellis@gmail.com
IN MY LAST DISCUSSION, I examined a few ways in which pilots can prepare for an International Miniature Aerobatic Club (IMAC) competition—specifically how you can learn a given routine, the roles and responsibilities of a caller, and the benefits that a modern radio system can have to serve as a substitute caller should the need arise.
This month, I will continue to explore how you can prepare for a given aerobatic competition. I will begin by looking at a few educational resources that exist and can be leveraged, in addition to a few strategies that pilots can implement within their daily routine to ensure that they are prepared to the maximum extent on the day of an event.
Without further delay, let’s get started!
Educational Resources
Throughout the years, the official IMAC website has always contained valuable information regarding the schedules that are being flown, the rules in which all competitors are judged against, contest calendars, and certain guides with respect to learning Aresti, only to name a few.
I recently came across a few items that are of tremendous value, such as a presentation of the 2026 Basic schedule. This presentation is unique because it contains individual pages that are devoted to each figure flown and includes a written description for each maneuver, which is beneficial for those who are learning Aresti and how to interpret each element of a figure.
The presentation also contains a list of the criteria that are being flown and images of the figures, providing a marriage of the material that is found in the rule book. From items such as radii and lengths of line segments to the flight path direction and so forth, the pilot is assisted not only with visualizing the maneuver but also visualizing the elements that they are graded upon because each one is highlighted.
You might argue that these items are often found in the rule book. While the rule book goes over certain families of figures and does touch on all of these elements, it is generic in the examples that are shown, whereas the educational information found on the website is based upon a current program and the figures flown within it.
Also found on the website are video examples of the 2026 Known schedules that are recorded with the use of a flight simulator to capture the control inputs that are required and an image of the Aresti figure. This is a wonderful tool because it shows the aerobatic newcomer an example of each figure within a routine without having to attend a competition or watch an experienced IMAC pilot.
To access the items mentioned, please visit the IMAC website, listed in “Sources.” Expand the website menu at the top of the page and select “Education,” followed by “How To 2026 Knowns.”
Other areas of interest on the IMAC website are the “Flying Techniques” section, also found under the “Education” tab, as well as certain judging school presentations, quick reference guides, Aresti principles, and so forth. In years past, you would need to talk to an experienced modeler or attend a judging seminar to obtain such materials. While judging seminars and flying clinics are still important, it is helpful to have access to foundational items such as those that I have mentioned.
Lastly, an online judging video series can be found on the website that contains virtual seminars, how to learn Aresti, procedural aspects of a competition flight, mental attitude/the mindset of the judge, the flight path, aircraft attitude, and much more.
Preparation Basics at the Field!
Mental training is extremely important because this is a very individualized sport, especially within the competition scene. I like to visualize my sequence multiple times before my actual flight.
In the full-scale arena, Mike Goulian is a well-known air show and competition pilot. I have read that he likes to visualize his aerobatic sequence anywhere between 30 to 45 minutes before he performs a competition flight. He also prefers to listen to music because it serves as white noise in the process. This is a great approach, but keep in mind that what works for one person might not work for another.
Besides visualizing the routine as noted earlier, for an Unknown flight, I observe a competitor only if they are flying the sequence in the same direction that I intend, but I only look at positioning because roll directions might be different and contribute to confusion. If something interrupts my concentration while I’m visualizing a routine, I typically start again from the beginning.
When I am at a competition, I always have my airplane prepared well in advance before each given flight, except for adding fuel (depending on the time of year and location of the competition). This means that all batteries are charged and installed properly, all servo connections are made and security clips used (if applicable), each
wing and stabilizer half is secured, and all preflight activities have been completed. When the temperature is high, I keep the fuel tank empty and the fuel source in the shade until I am a few pilots away from my flight to prevent hot fuel from being supplied to the carburetor, which will become an issue.
Jersey Modeler offers a few different electronic and manual pump options for kerosene/diesel, glow, smoke, and gas. I urge that if you are using an electronic pump, have a manual pump as a spare in case it fails at the field or competition site. Similarly, even if you are using a manual pump as the main pump, have a spare.
Other options are the Hangar 9 Ultra Fuel Pump, which is designed for gas and glow fuels, or offerings from B & B Specialties, LLC. Regardless of the pump being used, ensure that it is suitable for the fuel source at hand.
I prefer to have spare items on hand during an event because I tend to be very procedural and I do not like any deviation from my normal routine. In other words, I do not want to spend valuable time working to track down another fuel pump when that time is better spent on the assembly of the aircraft and mental preparation for the sequence at hand.
To ensure that I do not bring my model to the flightline without adding fuel, I pull the fuel line out from the side of the fuselage so that it serves as a visual marker that the aircraft is not ready for flight and, specifically in this case, that it only requires fuel to be added. Companies such as Jersey Modeler also offer “Remove Before Flight” streamers that can be added to take the visual approach one step further! At the appropriate time, fuel is added to the model, and then I visualize the sequence a time or two before I take to the sky!
If John is at the flying field and the fuel tank has not been filled, he will remove the fuel line from the fuselage, as shown here, as a reminder to him and his caller that the aircraft is not ready for flight. He will sometimes also remove the canopy. It’s important that something visually gets the attention of the pilot to show that the model is not ready to take to the sky.
Closing Thoughts
In closing, I have touched on a few ways that you can prepare for a competition flight. A firm understanding of the rules that you will be judged against is essential, as are the flight techniques for proper maneuver execution and mental preparation.
As you’ve learned, consistent practices are important to ensure that the routine you take does not change, whether it is at the local flying field or at the competition site.
Until next time, fly hard!
SOURCES:
IMAC
flyimac.org
B & B Specialties, LLC
(574) 277-0499
bennettbuilt.com
Jersey Modeler
jerseymodeler@comcaset.net
jerseymodeler.com
Horizon Hobby/Hangar 9
horizonhobby.com/hangar9
