IMAC has been around for over 24 years, and its original intent and premise have managed to remain fundamentally intact for nearly a quarter of a century because of their simplicity.

IMAC's goal is simple: "To duplicate full-scale aerobatics with RC aircraft in a realistic manner that is challenging for the contestants as well as interesting for the spectators."

Basically, IMAC competition is broken into two completely separate events: "Compulsory" and "Freestyle". Scoring for each is kept separate, and you do not have to enter both to compete. By far the most popular is "Compulsory" - a set of 14 to 16 maneuvers grouped together to form a sequence. These sequences are changed yearly and often reflect the maneuvers flown by the full-scale Inter-national Aerobatic Club (IAC). Scoring is based on a perfect 10 for each maneuver, with downgrades for Tournament of Champions.

Here are some tips and insights on how to begin flying IMAC.

The beginning category is called "Basic". Basic is the first 10 maneuvers of the Sportsman sequence.

Take a minute to review the 1998 sequence and follow along.

Start by entering into the wind, wings level. Call the box to the judges by saying, "In the box!"

1. Loop:
Fly to the center of the box (straight in front of you) and perform an inside loop. The loop should be symmetrical, centered and should end at the same place as you started it. Make the loop at least 100 feet in diameter, or it will present terribly. Exit straight and level and head to the end of the box for the next maneuver.

2. Hammerhead (also called a Stall Turn):
From level flight, pull vertical and head straight up. Pull back on the power. As the plane approaches zero airspeed, apply full rudder in either direction to allow the plane to rotate around its center of gravity. After the plane rotates and begins heading downward, slowly release the rudder. Retrace your upward line and exit with the same radius as you entered. Exit straight and level and head to the center of the box for the next maneuver.

3. Two Continuous Rolls:
Before you reach the center, apply aileron to begin rolling. Your goal is to have the plane cross the center pole as you begin your second roll. As you watch your plane roll, feed down-elevator when inverted and up-elevator when upright to keep your plane from losing elevation. The roll rate is not important, but maintaining heading and elevation is.
Note: these rolls are continuous, and stopping anytime during the maneuver will earn you a zero! Exit straight and level and head to the end of the box for the next maneuver.

4. Immelmann:
Use the same technique as you used with a full loop, but immediately after executing the half loop, roll to upright without losing heading or elevation. Maintain this higher elevation and begin reducing throttle for your next maneuver.

5. Two-Turn Spin:
As you approach the center pole, reduce throttle to idle and begin holding the nose up with your elevator. The pitch of the plane is not important as long as you don't gain altitude. Your goal is to have the plane stall right over the center pole. When the nose finally falls, begin applying full aileron and rudder in the same direction to induce a spin. The direction of the spin is not important. Just before you have completed two full revolutions, let go of the stick and recover heading straight down. After establishing your downline, pull level and exit. Head to the end of the box for the next maneuver.

6. Half Cuban-8:
As you approach the edge of the box, pull back on thestick and perform 5/8 of an inside loop. As you approach the 5/8 mark, begin feeding in down-elevator to establish an inverted 45-degree downline; calculate how far it is to your entry altitude and roll upright when you are halfway there. As you approach your entry altitude, apply up-elevator to exit with the same radius as you drew during the loop portion. Maintain wings level and head to the other end of the box for the next maneuver.

7. Humpty Bump Half Roll Down:
As you approach the end of the box, pull vertical with a radius you can easily duplicate throughout the maneuver. Head straight up long enough to establish a vertical line, and perform a half loop at the top with the same radius as used to enter the maneuver. Don’t forget to reduce throttle to idle before you pull over the top, or you will be screaming toward the ground. As you begin heading straight down, calculate at which altitude you’ll want to exit, and perform a half roll when you are halfway there. Now end the maneuver with the same radius, heading back toward the center of the box, wings level.

8. Hammerhead, 1/4 Roll Up, 1/4 Roll Down:
Immediately before approaching the center pole, pull vertical with a gradual radius and head straight up. Decide how tall you want to make the maneuver, and when you are halfway there, roll the plane 1/4 revolution.
Note: you can roll in either direction, but the preferred method to make the maneuver easier is to be looking at the top of your airplane instead of the bottom. Now, cut the throttle as you approach the top of the maneuver, and perform a hammerhead as previously described. After the hammerhead, proceed straight down and 1/4 roll in the opposite direction at exactly the same location as before. Continue straight down and exit with the same radius and altitude as you entered. Fly to the end of the box, wings level for the next maneuver.

9. Humpty Bump, Half Roll Up:
This is basically the same as the other Humpty, except you roll on the way up instead of on the way down. Be sure to keep the radiuses the same throughout the maneuver. Head to the end of the box, wings level for the next maneuver.

10. Half Reverse Cuban-8:
Way before you approach the end of the box, pull the plane to a 45-degree upline and decide how high you want to make the maneuver. Hold the 45; when you are halfway to the top of the maneuver, roll to inverted, apply a little down-elevator to maintain the 45-degree line and continue upward. When you have reached the top, reduce the throttle and begin your 5/8 inside loop. Begin with a radius that will ensure that you end up at the altitude where you started. End the maneuver with wings level and call, "Out of the box!".