Powered Training with Chesil MFC
By Phil Parmiter
The flight-training program is very popular and grows in popularity every year. The team from Chesil MFC that run this program enjoy giving their time to enable you to take part in our great hobby. We will take you through all the steps you need to become a certified pilot at our field so you can then enjoy the satisfaction of building and piloting your own R/C models.
This ensures that you get the attention you need in a controlled environment. You will each get one or two 10-15 minute, 1 on 1 period with an instructor each flying session. He will fly the plane with a dual control called a ‘Buddy box’. This will allow the instructor to take off the plane and set it up in flight. Using a switch on his control he will hand over control to your ‘Buddy box’ and you will be able to fly the plane, practicing manoeuvres or just getting used to the ‘feel’ of flying.
Whatever the stage you have reached the instructor will be there to help you and offer encouragement. If you get into any difficulty the instructor will operate his control switch and take over control of the aircraft. As you progress you will take more and more control over the aircraft until you solo. When you solo you must be ready to take off, fly the plane in a circuit pattern and land without instructor intervention.
With some additional practice sessions you will then be ready to take the BMFA ‘A’ test and you will be free to fly at the field at any time. The hobby of radio control planes is a rewarding way to learn about engineering, model building and aviation but there is an aspect that starts firmly on the ground and that is safety.
Safety at our field is #1. Read the safety instructions on the site notice board and also the club rules please, please obey them. This is not only for your safety but the safety of those around you. This hobby is safe and fun if you just follow the simple rules.
Have fun and enjoy learning to fly.
Instructors and Examiners thoughts
Hello to you all, this are a few thoughts from one of your club examiners. When I test people the first thing I look for (and this goes without saying really) is SAFETY. For unless you show that you are competent in not only your skills in flying but even more important your ground safety procedures, you will not pass a BFMA exam.
It always pays to have your ground handling equipment in good working order, as there is nothing that looks worse then a trainee pilot scrabbling around or even borrowing items from fellow modellers. So make sure not only you, but your equipment is up together as well. BREAK THOSE BAD HABITS. Get your self into a set routine, learn all the safety factors and put them into practice every time you fly. That way setting up for flying doesn’t become hard work but a matter of routine.
I am not going to run a list of things you should and shouldn’t do here as it is all in your BFMA booklet ‘UP and AWAY’. So read it. If you have not got your copy apply to the BFMA or one of the committee members.
Fly all routines in a safe and stable manner; you will be given practice from your instructor on what is required for your test. BEFORE your exam date, the examiner will also explain what is required of you clearly before you start the exam. If you fail don’t be discouraged, the examiner will explain what you did wrong. So think of it as another valuable lesson in your training schedule. We at the Chesil Model Flying Club have a good training policy, please see the contact section for details of how to book an instructor or examiner.