Old time pattern

What's a good way to learn the OTS pattern? I started flying in the late '50's, but I was just a kid and never learned anything. I can do inside loops, wingovers, lazy 8's, and can make it around the circle inverted. I'm cheating pretty bad, using a Flite Streak with a Fox. I figure if I can fly it with a Streak, then I'll graduate to a legal airplane. Any suggestions? I scare myself everytime I try something different.

>What's a good way to learn the OTS pattern? I started flying
>in the late '50's, but I was just a kid and never learned
>anything. I can do inside loops, wingovers, lazy 8's, and can
>make it around the circle inverted. I'm cheating pretty bad,
>using a Flite Streak with a Fox. I figure if I can fly it
>with a Streak, then I'll graduate to a legal airplane. Any
>suggestions? I scare myself everytime I try something
>different.

Hi Russel;
You have the basics of the Old Tyme pattern down, all you need to do is get confident with outside loops. As you get to the back of a lazy eight, just continue the loop on around back to inverted flight. Or you can start it from inverted flight. In competition, you can start from upright at the top of the loop, or from the inverted position in level flight. Once you are confident doing all of the maneuvers, start doing them in order, every time you fly. If you have to have someone tell you the order at first, do that until you get it memorized. Just concentrate on doing complete maneuvers in the proper order, again, until you are confident in each one in the order that they are supposed to be done, then you can work on refining size and shape. Do this every time you fly. Another thing to work on as a matter of repetative practice, is keeping track of time. How long it takes you to do the pattern, how long your engine runs on specific amounts of fuel, and getting the whole flight in from signal to model stop in the eight minute time limit. Get a stop watch that you like and get familiar with it's operation, and time every flight, and get used to what kind of variances you have to make for temperature and such to know how much fuel to put on board. I like to keep track of the eight minute time limit with the stop watch mode on my wrist watch, and if I want to check lap times, I keep a second stop watch where I can reach it with my other hand.
The way to get proficient at anything, is consistant practice and doing things the same way every time you practice. And practice is what builds confidence!
Good luck and have fun,
Dan McEntee

In addition to what Dan said get a video camera and record your flights from two positions. First and one you should use most of the time is upwind just as the judges will be viewing. Second position is 90 degrees to the wind so you can see the height of the circles. You'd be suprised how quickly you spot your mistakes and at least know what you need to work on.

Carl

Because the Old Time pattern is vastly different from the P.A. pattern ("regular" wingover; 5 outside loops BEFORE inverted flight, and so-on), it helps to memorize the maneuvers in groups, after the Takeoff/level flight maneuver (don't forget the hand signal!)

* Climb
* Dive
* Wingover

* Inside Loops (Five; recover upright)
* Outside Loops (Five; recover upright)
* Inverted (Two laps; recover upright)

* Horizontal Eights (Three; note entry/exit: different from P.A.!)
* Vertical Eights (Three; same notes as above)
* Overhead Eights (Three; ditto)

* Square Loop (1) - actually a 1/4-lap rectangle
* Landing

Mike Keville

Mike
I too am just learning the Old Time stunt pattern, I have Larry Renger tutoring me. I believe he said to insert two laps between each stunt (I still can't spell the "M" word). That is Climb, two laps then dive, two laps etc. At least that is how I have be practicing.
Andy

is that straight out of th 1952 ama book?...jim

>is that straight out of th 1952 ama book?...jim
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It is straight out of the current PAMPA rules for Old Time Stunt which, in part, read as follows:

"...Maneuvers and maneuver descriptions from the 1951-1952 AMA rule book shall apply. A minimum of two laps is suggested between each maneuver to allow judges time to register scores. (Not completing two laps will not result in a loss of pattern points.)"

Other notes from current PAMPA rules:

- "The BOM rule shall not apply to the Old Time Stunt event."

- "Appearance points shall not apply to the Old Time Stunt event."

- "25 flight pattern points will be awarded flights in which all maneuvers are attempted or completed in the correct sequence. Pilots may omit maneuvers and remain eligible for Flight Pattern Points providing he/she notifies the judges before each flight of those maneuvers which will be omitted, and execute the remaining maneuvers in the proper sequence. A crash shall not be grounds for deduction of flight pattern points, providing all maneuvers prior to the crash are performed in the proper sequence. Exceeding the eight minute time period shall result in a loss of flight pattern points."

(Note the "ATTEMPTED or completed" portion ... and also the provisions dealing with a crash.)

Mike Keville

Mike is right. This is EXACTLY way to separate it from the "Big Pattern". You will not make the common mistake of leaving out inverted flight.

Uncle Mikey,
A few years ago I followed your instructions, and still got the "Elephant Award"! What a great perpetual trophy.. and I am in such great company too!

Russ,
Yes, the OTS pattern is great for learning. It has the elements of all the maneuvers, and gives you another event to enter and have fun.

Now. if I can only remember.....

Tom: I can sympathize with you. Despite my own advice (and what sometimes appears to be a "know-it-all" demeanor), I once omitted the Inverted laps on an Official flight.

Stuck 'em in after the Square, lost pattern points of course...and still placed 2nd.

(The judges were being exceptionally kind that day.)

Mike K.

I left out the wingover one time.

Bob Hunt -- Anything to add here?

Mike Keville

Uh, no, I'm good...

OK you experts I'll bite, what's the Elephant Award. Why do I get the distinct impression I am already in the running.
Andy

Andy,
The award is given at VSC to someone who forgets something significant. Many top flyers have won it. Part of the OTS pattern requirement is to signal the judges before starting the maneuvers. Failing to do so results in an attempt being charged and no points. Last year's winner of the elephant award forgot to signal on two consecutive attempts, thus no points for one day of flying. He was not a beginner, but an advanced level flyer.
Steve

PS: The award is called the Pachyderm award, but I can't spell Pachyderm!

> . . . I can't spell Pachyderm!
*********************************

Yes you can. You just did.

Mike Keville

>> . . . I can't spell Pachyderm!
>*********************************
>
>Yes you can. You just did.
>
>Mike Keville

Gee, If I can spell pachyderm maybe I can learn to do a decent OTS overhead 8.
Steve

try laying on your back...it works!!!

I've been thinking about dragging a chair out to circle center so I can lean back far enough. My back and neck are FUBAR! Steve

Steve Helmick
Renton, Washington
USA

"Uh, no, I'm good...
Bob Hunt"


Andy,
When I said that I was in good company, I really meant it. The VSC "Pachyderm award" (elephant is easier to spell) has quite a list of "Names" on it. De Hill, Jim Lee, Bob "Uh, no, I'm good" Hunt 2 times in a row, Myself, Ted Fancher, Ed Southwick... and more.

Bob is really too modest, they even had cue cards outside of the circle for him!

The OTS pattern doesn't flow like the modern pattern and leads to many mistakes.. The award is all in fun. Which is how VSC is... all fun!