Southwest Winter Pattern Championships 2025
Superstition Pattern Classic
February 21-23, 2025
Mesa, Arizona
Desert Pattern Challenge
February 28 - March 2, 2025
Florence, Arizona
Contests
The Superstition Pattern Classic and Desert Pattern Challenge are 3-day AMA pattern contests held on back-to-back weekends in the Phoenix, Arizona area. Each is a standalone pattern contest, and together they make up the Southwest Winter Pattern Championships where the best combined finish in each class is named the series Champion.
Held in late February and early March, they offer a great winter vacation destination with a temperate climate and plenty to do in the area outside of the contests. You'll see top level flying as some of the best in the country attend these contests, often including current World Championship team members.
Come on out for one or both!
Photo Credit: Derek Emmett
Format
Each class will fly 6 rounds, weather permitting. All classes will fly their 2025 sequences. All pilots will be expected to judge other classes except for Sportsman pilots, who are not required to judge. Mid-air avoidance will be allowed.
While Masters and FAI Silver will both fly the P25 sequence, the rules will otherwise remain the same as in the past. Takeoffs and landings will be judged in Masters, and will not be judged in FAI Silver.
Both contests will use the same format and general schedule.
| Class | Sequence | Judging Required | Takeoff/Landing Judged |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sportsman* | Sportsman 25 |  |
 |
| Intermediate | Intermediate 25 | |
|
| Advanced | Advanced 25 | |
|
| Masters | P25 | |
|
| FAI Silver | P25 | |
|
| FAI | 4 x P25, 2 x F25 | |
|
*Any AMA legal airplane is allowed in Sportsman, excluding those requiring Turbine or Large Model Airplane program waivers by the AMA.
Schedule
Competition rounds will start on Friday and continue through Sunday. A pilots meeting will be held at 9:00 A.M. Friday, with the first round starting after the meeting. We will will aim to get 2 rounds in each day. If rounds finish early each day, the field will be open for practice after the rounds. We will try to get all 6 rounds in, weather permitting, including going into the afternoon on Sunday if possible.
The schedule is subject to change based on weather, entries, and other factors. Be ready to fly starting Friday morning through Sunday afternoon to participate in all rounds.
Championship Series
The Southwest Winter Pattern Championship Series will award the best combined placing in each class with the Series Championship.
Championship Rules
- Lowest cumulative placing for each class will win
- Pilots must compete in both contests, in the same class
- Ties will be broken by:
- The highest placing in either contest
- The highest cumulative score across both contests (using final scores from each contest, which excludes dropped rounds)
- Awards will be given only to the top placer in each class
2024 SW Winter Championships Winners
Photo Credit: Joe Pirozzoli
Registration
Superstition Pattern Classic
Entry Fee: Sportsman $25, all other classes are $55
Academy of Model Aeronautics and FAA registration required to compete.
Camping is available with a reservation for $10/night, no hookups. Contact us to indicate your desire to camp at the field and for more information
Registration
Desert Pattern Challenge
Entry Fee: Sportsman $25, all other classes are $55
Academy of Model Aeronautics and FAA registration required to compete.
Camping is available with a reservation for $10/night, no hookups. Contact us to indicate your desire to camp at the field and for more information
Registration Coming Soon
Flying Fields
Superstition Pattern Classic
Superstition Airpark is a first class facility within the Usery Mountain Park in the East Valley of the Phoenix area. With an 800 ft x 85 ft paved runway, large asphalt paddock, 250 ft of covered Ramada, and ample table room it provides a convenient, picturesque flying experience.
Superstition Airpark
Meridian Dr and Levee Rd
Mesa, AZ 85220
Desert Pattern Challenge
https://slrcc.org/Sun Lakes Model Airplane Club offers a 450ft x 60ft geotex runway with plenty of space for pattern planes, including running 2 flight lines when necessary. Easily accessible from the Phoenix area, it's set near a dairy farm to give an open feel to your flying.
Sun Lakes Model Airplane Club
7663 E Hunt Hwy
Florence, AZ 85132
Amenities and Recreation
Arizona has a temperate climate this time of year and offers a wealth of recreational and tourist opportunities, making it a great winter vacation for families, and for competitors to spend time during the week between the contests. Available activities include hiking and biking in multiple nearby mountain ranges, MLB's Spring Training, Jeep tours, many historical and geographical attractions, and more.