What are the maneuvers to be flown? Here are the manuevers for the AMA 401 Sportsman class, the typical class for newcomers to aerobatics to start in:

Takeoff - Upwind 1

- Enter box

Straight Flight Out - Upwind 1
Half Reverse Cuban Eight – Turnaround 2
Straight Flight Back – Downwind 1
Stall Turn without Rolls – Turnaround 2
Double Immelman without Rolls – Upwind 2

- Free turnaround

One Horizontal Roll – Downwind 1
Half Reverse Cuban Eight – Turnaround 2
Cobra without rolls – Upwind 1
Immelman Turn – Turnaround 2
45 Degree Down line – Downwind 1

- Free turnaround

45 Degree Up line (on center) – Upwind 1
Split "S" – Turnaround 2
Two Point Roll Roll – Downwind 2
Half Cuban Eight – Turnaround 2
Two Inside Loops – Upwind 2

- Exit the box

Landing – Upwind 1

Total k-factor 26

The list above is the current "Sportsman" class maneuver schedule for 2015 through 2018. It contains 17 maneuvers including Take-off and Landing. These maneuvers must be performed in the sequence in which they are listed.

- Click here to display the Sportsman call card

Failure to perform any maneuver in this sequence results in a zero score for that maneuver. This list can be printed and then cut out so that you can have it as a "Calling Card". A Calling Card is a list of the maneuvers that you give to your helper at a contest or during a practice session. Make several copies because they are easy to lose. During competition, the flyer becomes nervous and can easily forget those things that he has memorized. That's why he needs a Caller. The Caller or helper will usually help the flyer by taking the plane out to the starting point on the runway, then returning back to stand just behind the pilot. From that position, the helper can read aloud each maneuver before the pilot begins the maneuver and thereby help the pilot remember which comes next.

The symbol (U) that follows the maneuver means that the maneuver is performed "Up Wind" and the symbol (D) means that the maneuver is performed "Down Wind" the (T) is for turnaround maneuvers to be performed at the ends of the box. There are two free turnarounds were you can exit the box, catch your breath and adjust your position before returning to the maneuvering area. Use these well to your advantage.

The following is a brief description of each maneuver. Study them and be sure you understand each maneuver before you start your practice. All maneuvers are scored by two judges in a range of 0 to 10 in ½ point increments. Also, get the latest copy of the AMA Competition Regulations and study the rules carefully. The NSRCA has a maneuver description guide is more in depth and printable.

- Click here to get descriptions of the Sportsman maneuvers

Take Off - The model must then smoothly accelerate to lift off. When the aircraft reaches take off speed, it should gently lift off the ground at the center line and climb at a gradual angle (10 to 15 deg). The airplane should hold a constant angle of climb without any dips or wing rocking, or deviation in direction until it reaches a height of 2 meters.

The pilot will turn away from the pits for an unscored trim pass down wind. Then execute a turnaround and enter the aerobatic box. The pilot or caller will announce to the judges each time they enter or exit the box.

Straight Flight Out - The model must be flown exactly parallel to the flight line, perfectly straight and level, for a distance of about 100 meters centered on the pilot and judges. There must be no changes in pitch, roll, yaw, or altitude.

Half Reverse Cuban Eight - Model executes a one-eighth (1/8) inside loop to a 45 degree up line, hesitates, does a one half (½) roll, hesitates, then performs a five eighths (5/8) inside loop back to level flight in the opposite direction as entry. All radii must be equal. This maneuver must be completed before the model exceeds the 60 deg maneuver boundary.

Straight Flight Back - Immediately after the Half Reverse Cuban Eight, the model shall fly back along the same line as the Straight Flight Out. The same rules apply.

Stall Turn - Model executes a one quarter (¼) inside loop to an upward vertical track (up line), hesitates, performs a stall turn through 180 degrees to a downward vertical track (down line), hesitates, then recovers with another one quarter (¼) inside loop to level flight in the opposite direction. Exit altitude of maneuver need not be the same as entry altitude.

Double Immelman w/o Rolls – Model flies past center pulls through one-half loop to level, inverted flight, hesitates, then pulls through a second one-half loop to level, upright flight at the same altitude as entry. The horizontal, inverted leg should be equal to the diameter of the half loops.

Model exits box - turns around using any maneuver desired and sets up to re-enter box. This allows the pilot a mental break and opportunity to correct their positioning. All box exits and entries must be announced to the judges.

Model enters box - resume scoring

One Horizontal Roll - Model performs one horizontal roll, centered on the pilot so that the inverted section is in front of the pilot and judges, then finishes straight and level.

Cobra without Rolls - Model pulls to a 45 deg. climb, performs a quarter outside loop (90deg) at the center line and then does a 45 deg dive back to the same altitude as the entry point then pulls to level flight.

Immelman Turn - The maneuver starts near the end of the maneuvering area, flying straight and level, the plane pulls up into a 1/2 inside loop, then immediately rolls 180 deg at top of loop and returns straight and level in the exact opposite direction as entered.

45 Degree Down Line - From level flight model pushes and executes a one-eighth (1/8) loop to a 45 degree dive, hesitates, then performs a one-eighth (1/8) inside loop to recover in level flight. The center of this maneuver is the midpoint of the 45 degree line.

Model enters box - resume scoring

45 Degree Up Line - From level flight model pulls and executes a one-eighth (1/8) loop to a 45 degree climb, hesitates, then performs a one-eighth (1/8) outside loop to recover in level flight. The center of this maneuver is the midpoint of the 45 degree line.

Split "S" - Model proceeds in level flight to other end of the box where it performs a half roll followed immediately by a half loop, and returns to level flight at a lower altitude going in the opposite direction, straight and level. This maneuver is considered a turnaround maneuver.

Two Point Roll - Model performs a half (1/2) roll inverted, hesitates about 1 second, then performs another half (1/2) roll in the same direction to level, upright flight. The inverted portion of the flight must be centered on the pilot and judges.

Half Cuban Eight - The model executes a 5/8ths to a 45 deg dive; hesitates, then does a half roll to upright, then hesitates the same as before, then back to level flight in the exact opposite direction. All radii must be equal. This maneuver must be completed before the model exceeds the 60 deg maneuver boundary.

Two Loops - Model pulls up and executes two (2) consecutive loops. All loops shall be round and superimposed. Entry and exit altitudes should be the same.

Exit the box – This time the pilot will make a turn to a free downwind pass then turn upwind to prepare to land. Care should be taken to avoid other aircraft.

Landing - Landing will start from 2 meters above the ground. The model flares smoothly in a nose-high attitude then smoothly touches down within 15 meters of a point in front of the pilot. The airplane should hold a constant angle of glide without any dips, yaw, wing rocking, or deviation in direction until it touches down, with no bounces. Landing is complete after a roll-out of 15 meters.