19 pilots from across NSW and Victoria gathered to compete in Wagga Model Aero Club’s IMAC Competition.

Competitors were assigned a set schedule of manoeuvres and were judged based on accuracy, with moves becoming increasingly complex throughout the competition.

Local participant John Manwaring said the skills required to excel in the sport are similar to those required when playing Xbox.

“It’s all eye to thumb coordination, but in real time and in real life,” he said.

“As the plane is coming towards you, you have to reverse your thinking because turning left will send the plane right and vice versa.

“On top of that, if the wind is blowing it disturbs everything and you have to adjust in a split second.

“Everything still has to happen smoothly, quickly and consistently.”

The sport’s spectacular visual appeal makes it an attractive prospect for kids and has the ability to bridge generations.

“We have young kids as young as seven here, and the dads will be right there helping them,” Mr Manwaring said. 

“We have young fellas from that age right through to competitors in their sixties.”  

The weekend-long event, which featured planes worth up to $15,000, is a lighthearted affair.

“It's a very friendly and relaxed environment,” Mr Manwaring said.

“The only real pressure here is the pressure you put on yourself.

“We’re all here for fun but when you stuff up you do really kick yourself.

“Especially when you’re guilty of what we call dumb-thumbing, which is where you steer the complete opposite way from what you intended.”

The competition was in its early stages at press time.