SUNCOAST MODEL FLYERS
SUNCOAST MODEL FLYERS
Learning Procedures
The following are the minimum requirements before going solo. Your instructor MUST at least teach you the following procedures. If they miss anything you should bring it to their attention what they have missed, you're the one who will be checked out at the end. Once your instructor thinks you are ready to go solo he will hand you over to a certified MAAA Instructor for a checkout. Once you pass your checkout you are solo and also qualify for your MAAA Bronze Wings or Silver Wings. These are the procedures you need to know :-
1. A clear understanding of all the rules of the Club.
2. Indicate the location of the following:- Emergency equipment (First Aid, Fire Blanket and Extinguisher).
Pit area boundaries
Pilot's flightline
Aircraft flightline.
Taxiways
Where to stand when flying.
Minimum distance before lift off of the model on takeoff. (Not before passing the pilots flightline)
The no-fly areas.
Minimum distance when performing aerobatics.
Left hand circuit, right hand circuit and circuit direction for the day.
3. Demonstrate the flight controls on the transmitter and on the model. Identify that control direction is correct of all flight controls.
4. Demonstrate a thorough inspection of the model including:- Radio installation.
Control horns, hinges, push rods, lose covering.
Undercarriage mountings and wheel binding.
Freedom of the fuel clunk.
Engine mount, muffler, propeller, spinners, fuel supply, leaks.
Securely fitting the wings to the model.
Centre Of Gravity of the model.
Flight pack battery check.
Freedom of flying surfaces.
Range test of the radio.
5. Explain the starting procedures of the engine, including position of the model and starting equipment, securing the model, position of
other models and bystanders, fuelling of the model, turning the engine over, operation of the mixture controls, throttle position.
6. Demonstrate starting the engine.
7. Demonstrate tuning the engine. Checking mixture settings for throttle response, idle, mid range, full power, and takeoff/climbing.
8. Demonstrate taxiing the model to the pilots flightline including where to start from, where to stand during taxiing, speed, position of the
elevator, and where to stop.
9. Demonstrate a visual inspection for other models in the sky, communication with other flyers on the pilots flightline before taxing onto
the runway. Checking of flight controls and engine response before entering the runway.
10. Taxiing and position of the model to correct the position for takeoff allowing for wind direction and distance required for takeoff.
11. Demonstrate the procedure of takeoff including prior communication with other flyers, gradual throttle control, maintaining heading, lift
off position, lift off speed, correct climb out angle and position before first turn.
12. Demonstrate the following flying manoeuvres:- Circuit at constant altitude.
A circuit showing the maximum altitude allowed at our field (300feet)
Outward figure eight from left to right.
Outward figure eight from right to left.
Inward figure eight from left to right.
Inward figure eight from right to left.
Procedure turn from left to right.
Procedure turn from right to left.
One inside loop from left to right.
One inside loop from right to left.
Land circuit from left to right.
Landing circuit from right to left.
Landing and roll to a stop including prior communication with other pilots.
Takeoff with model slightly out of trim.
Setting of trims for straight and level flight after takeoff.
Simulated 'dead stick' landing (Throttle at idle).
13. Demonstrate collecting the model from the flying area if it is not able to taxi back under it's own power including communication
with other flyers.
14. Demonstrate taxiing back to pit area including, where to stand, speed, where to stop and shutting down the engine.
15. Demonstrate procedure with the transmitter after flight.
Good Luck ! Contributed by Brian Carson - SMF Senior Instructor (Note from Bob Cottle - Webmaster)