MRCM FLIGHT TRAINING PROGRAMS

 

 

 

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS, STUDENTS, AND INSTRUCTORS

 

This document describes the RC fixed wing flight training programs for Maui RC Modelers. There are two training programs which can be considered: Intro-Pilot and Student Pilot:

 

• Intro-Pilot is supported by the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA) and provides introductory flights during an insured 60 day period for individuals who do not have AMA membership, a trainer plane, or radio equipment. The Intro Pilot program, using MRCM equipment, provides a few RC flights for you to assess your interest, but will probably not provide adequate training to reach the solo flight level.

 

• The Student Pilot program is designed for individuals who have their own trainer plane, radio system, and related flight line equipment. The program requires that the individual hold AMA and MRCM memberships. No Student Pilot is allowed to fly without the assistance of an Instructor.

 

The RC flight training period varies widely from individual to individual depending on their level of eye-finger coordination, flight simulator experience, learning speed, frequency of lessons, etc.,. A rough estimate of the time required to be flying on your own is five to ten sessions of three or four ten-minute flights each. If you are interested in becoming an R/C Pilot, you are required to read this section and contact a club instructor. Ask any club officer for a list of instructors. They will work with you and attempt to be compatible with your schedule. All training takes place in the calm air of the morning.

 

Please keep in mind that the Maui RC Modeler Instructors are not responsible for student aircraft. The individuals that volunteer their time for the purpose of teaching you to fly are reasonably competent pilots. They will, to their abilities, check out your aircraft and instruct you in the safe operation of your aircraft. A "Buddy Box", usually provided by MRCM, will be used during your training sessions. It is the safest way to learn how to fly RC. If for any reason there is a mishap, the repairs and associated costs are up to the student. Your instructor and our other members will be happy to provide you with advice on how best to complete any required repairs.

 

In spite of all the help that you receive from our instructors and members, you need to be certain that every part and adjustment of your aircraft is correct. You’re encouraged to review the AMA’s Sport Aviator site at http://www.masportaviator.com. The AMA site http://www.modelaircraft.org also contains valuable information. Flight simulators are also extremely helpful in learning to fly, and should be considered. Please ask any Instructor for help finding publications on model aircraft.

 

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July 2006

 

Training Course

 

The purpose of this set of instructor instructions is to provide an organized and progressive series of lessons that will not only assist in teaching the beginner to fly, but to fly safely with a basic understanding of his equipment and it's limitations. The function of the instructor is to teach this material to the student, monitor and develop his understanding and performance of it, sign off his progress in his flight log, and to conduct his solo flight evaluation.

 

Purpose of the Training Program

•           Make every pilot aware of safety issues.

•           Help each pilot become familiar with his or her aircraft.

•           Teach proper use of the Transmitter Frequency Control system.

•           Teach proper Engine Starting and Adjusting.

•           Teach the Basics of Flight.

•           Teach safe control of the aircraft.

•           Follow through to Solo Certification.

 

LESSON 1 - RADIO AND FIELD PROCEDURES

 

PURPOSE:   To teach the student how to use his radio at the field.

 

OBJECTIVES: To make the student aware of the necessity for frequency control, self-disciplined use of the radio, and safe operation of his model at the field.

 

ELEMENTS:

1)                 The need for frequency control.

2)                 Channel Control board.

3)                 Conducting a radio range check.

4)                 Abnormal operation of the radio and interference.

5)                 Batteries: charging, checking, and life.

6)                 Servo operation and load limits.

7)                 Pit area.

8)                 Engine operation in the pits.

9)                 Taxiing on the field.

10)             Use of and operation of the runway.

11)             Flight area and boundaries.

12)             Other traffic and right of way on the field.

13)             Restricted airspace (runway edge).

14)             Critique of student’s performance, as required.

 

COMPLETION STANDARDS: This lesson is complete when the student meets the requirements of the lesson objectives and understands the practice of the lesson elements. This lesson should be reviewed at the start of all following lessons.

 

LESSON 2 - AIRCRAFT FAMILIARIZATION

 

PURPOSE: Using the checklist, teach the student to properly preflight his model and adjust the engine for proper running, both at high speed and at idle.

 

OBJECTIVE: At the completion of this lesson the student should be able to inspect his model and identify deficiencies that could cause a malfunction or a safety hazard. He should be able to start and adjust the engine.

 

ELEMENTS:

1)                 Use of preflight checklist.

2)                 Understanding of control throws required for a student.

3)                 Instructor demonstrates safe engine starting procedures and engine adjustment.

4)                 Student starts and adjusts the engine.

5)                 Instructor teaches student how to identify rich and lean engine settings.

6)                 Critique of student's performance.

 

COMPLETION STANDARDS: This lesson is complete when the student can perform the lesson objectives. This lesson should be reviewed at the start of all following lessons.

 

LESSON 3 - FLIGHT FAMILIARIZATION

 

PURPOSE: To flight test student's model. To introduce the student to controlling the model in flight.

 

OBJECTIVES: To allow the instructor to evaluate the airworthiness of the student's model and to allow the student to become familiar with the model's controls and their use in flight.

 

ELEMENTS:

1)                 The instructor flies and lands the student's model to evaluate its performance and airworthiness. NOTE: THIS FLIGHT SHOULD BE IN A SAFE AND CONSERVATIVE MANNER.

2)                 On the ground, familiarize the student with the controls and what kind of reactions he can expect from them. Example: explain the necessity of holding a little up elevator in turns to keep the model from diving. Keep the explanation simple.

3)                 Explain the procedures you will use to give the transmitter to the student and take it away from him during the flight.

4)                 Explain what you would like him to do. Example: "Just get familiar with the controls and don't worry about losing control. That's why I'm here."

5)                 With the model trimmed in level flight and at a reasonable airspeed, allow the student to fly it. Whenever possible, verbally correct his inputs rather than doing it yourself. DON'T LET THE STUDENT GET NERVOUS. If he does, take the transmitter from him and allow him to relax.

6)                 Critique of student's performance.

 

COMPLETION STANDARDS: The lesson is complete when the instructor has determined that the student is able to determine and execute proper control inputs to achieve a desired change in the model's attitude. Example: the model dives and the student gives up elevator. PROFICIENCY AND ACCURATE CONTROL ARE NOT CRITERIA AT THIS POINT.

 

LESSON 4 - FLIGHT MANUEVERS

 

PURPOSE: To acquaint the student with the basic flight maneuvers.

 

OBJECTIVES: To teach the student to properly control the model during basic maneuvering.

 

ELEMENTS:

1)                 Explain the effect of wind on the model during flight.

2)                 Disorientation, level flight and trim at different power settings.

3)                 Turns.

4)                 Straight climbs.

5)                 Climbing turns.

6)                 Gliding.

7)                 NOTE:   These five maneuvers should be taught in order if possible.

8)                 Critique of student's performance.

 

COMPLETION STANDARDS: This lesson is complete when the student can perform the maneuvers without assistance from the instructor. Each maneuver should be done with a reasonable degree of accuracy. Example: turns should be fairly smooth and altitude maintained fairly well.

 

LESSON 5 - ACCURACY MANUEVERS

 

PURPOSE: To teach the student to perform the five basic maneuvers to a standard that will develop proficiency in their execution.

 

OBJECTIVE: To develop the skill and ability of the student to control the model in a specific manner.

 

ELEMENTS:

1)                 Level flight, maintaining heading and altitude.

2)                 Level flight at reduced power, maintaining heading and altitude.

3)                 Left and right turns to a specific heading.

4)                 Climbing turns to a specific heading.

5)                 Power off (idle) glides that require the student to maneuver the model to a specific area and approximate altitude. Example: Have the student close the throttle over the south end of the field at two hundred feet and glide to the north end of the field arriving at one hundred feet.

6)                 Instructors may introduce loops and rolls during this lesson to add variety to the training.

7)                 Critique of student's performance.

 

COMPLETION STANDARDS: This lesson is complete when the student can maneuver the model at the instructor's direction and can demonstrate the ability to control the model in an accurate manner.

 

LESSON 6 - ORIENTATION MANUEVERS

 

PURPOSE: To develop the skill and ability necessary for the student to make his first landing.

 

OBJECTIVE: To teach the student to control the model regardless of its heading or direction relative to himself.

 

ELEMENTS:

1)                 Figure 8 - The student must fly a figure 8 pattern consisting of two 360 degree turns, one left and one right. Figure 8’s with a 45 degree crossing should be performed first, followed by Figure 8’s with a 90 degree crossing. The student must place the maneuver in front of himself at a safe distance and altitude.

2)                 The student must fly a rectangular pattern at a safe altitude with the up-wind leg crossing (parallel with) the landing area. NOTE: The instructor will designate the size and altitude of the maneuver.

3)                 Instructor may introduce the rectangular horizontal 8, the Immelmann turn, and the Split-S turn to provide additional challenge and variety.

4)                 Critique of student's performance.

 

COMPLETION STANDARDS: This lesson is complete when the student can fly the figure 8 without experiencing disorientation and can fly both right and left rectangular patterns consistently.

 

LESSON 7 - STALLS

 

PURPOSE: To develop the student's understanding of stalls, their cause and avoidance.

 

OBJECTIVE: To teach the student to recognize and recover from stalls.

 

ELEMENTS:

1)                 Pre-flight discussion of stalls, what causes them, and how to recover. (Stalls are a function of angle of attack.)

2)                 Practice of stalls by the student with and without power.

3)                 Stalls in turns (take-off, departure stalls). NOTE: Takeoff and departure stalls are almost impossible to set up with most trainers, but do occur in more advanced models, therefore it is recommended that the power be reduced to about 1/3 throttle and a steep climbing turn be entered. The stall will look similar to a spin entry with the model rolling toward the high wing. During this lesson it should be emphasized that the stall can occur at any airspeed and is a function of angle of attack.

4)                 Instructor should introduce trimming an out-of-trim aircraft. With the aircraft at a reasonable altitude, the instructor should de-trim the ship and have the student re-trim it.

5)                 The stall turn and spin/spiral may be introduced for variety.

6)                 Critique of student's performance.

 

COMPLETION STANDARDS: This lesson is complete when the student understands the cause of stalls and has demonstrated the lesson elements and proper recovery.

 

LESSON 8 - TAKE-OFF

 

PURPOSE:   To teach the student how to make a normal take-off.

 

OBJECTIVES: To teach the student how to control the model during take-off, both into the wind and in a crosswind.

 

ELEMENTS:

1)                 Discussion of the effects of torque and wind during take-off and initial climb, discuss aborted take-offs.

2)                 Use of rudder.    Have student practice taxiing in both directions.

3)                 Use of throttle.

4)                 Student makes a normal take-off into the wind.

5)                 Use of trim controls to achieve level flight AFTER the plane has made a normal take-off.. NOTE: After student has demonstrated proficiency in normal take-offs, instructor should intentionally de-trim the model at the transmitter to allow the student to practice take-offs with a slightly out of trim model. Re-trimming at altitude must also be taught.

6)                 Student makes a crosswind take-off.

7)                 Critique of student's performance.

                            

COMPLETION STANDARDS: This lesson is complete when the student has successfully taken off and established a normal climb with adequate airspeed, both in the trimmed and untrimmed mode. He must also demonstrate adequate directional control during the crosswind take-off.

 

LESSON 9 – LANDING

 

PURPOSE:   To prepare the student for and conduct his first landing.

 

OBJECTIVE: To teach the student to visualize and perform a stable and controlled approach to landing.

 

ELEMENTS:

1)                 Review of lesson 6.

2)                 Discussion of proper landing techniques, and the fact that at low altitude it may be difficult or impossible for the instructor to save the aircraft from an improper landing..

3)                 Student flies a rectangular pattern as in lesson 6, but reduces power and establishes a normal glide on the base leg and continues the approach until over the end of the runway, at which point he is to add power and go around. The minimum altitude at the end of the maneuver should be no less than twenty (20) feet.

4)                 As the student becomes comfortable with the maneuver, the altitude should be lowered until the instructor is confident that the model can glide to the runway with the power off (idle).

5)                 Landing. At this point the instructor will tell the student to continue the approach and land. NOTE: The chances of a successful landing will be increased if the instructor reminds the student to keep the power at idle. It may be necessary to talk the student through the flare and touchdown.

6)                 The student should make at least two simulated dead stick landings at this time.

7)                 Critique of student's performance.

 

COMPLETION STANDARDS: This lesson is complete and the student can advance to supervised solo flight after the student has successfully landed the model several times and is comfortable with the maneuver.

 

LESSON 10 - SOLO FLIGHT EVALUATION

 

PURPOSE:   To certify the student for solo flight.

 

OBJECTIVES: The student is to perform a series of solo flights under the supervision of the instructor and complete the required maneuvers on the solo flight evaluation to earn his solo wings.

 

ELEMENTS:

1)                 Preflight discussion to answer questions and resolve problems that concern the student about the lesson.

2)                 Student performs 3 flights under the instructor's supervision starting with a thorough pre-flight and ending with exiting the frequency control board.

3)                 The solo flight certification is signed off by both the instructor and the student.

 

COMPLETION STANDARDS: This lesson is complete and the student signed off for solo flight ONLY after he has demonstrated a practical knowledge of all course objectives, has completed the required 3 flight demonstration of competence, and has observed all safety and field operating rules.

SOLO FLIGHT EVALUATION AND CERTIFICATION

 

Student Pilot’s Name___________________________________

 

AMA Number______________________

 

1.   This checklist will serve as a permanent record of your post-training evaluation and the instructor's certification of your earning your solo wings.   This checklist, when signed off, will be turned over to the club secretary, and you will have full flight privileges at MRCM’s facilities.

2.   Solo certification consists of three separate flights, each with a specific piloting skill to be demonstrated.    You will be judged not on how well you perform each requirement, but on your simple ability to safely demonstrate your aptitude in each of these areas.

 

Requirement                                                                                  Instructor’s initial

I.. FIRST FLIGHT