TRAINING LEVELS
Complete Beginners
A typical lesson for a beginner would start with a safety check of the
model. We would then assess your understanding of the controls and give you
a run-through of the safety procedures. Then we will work towards the
first goal - a stable hover. If appropriate, we will let you try out a
simulator first to give you a little added confidence during your first few
flights.
Intermediates
Training for intermediate pilots will vary according to their ability.
Please use the table below to indicate your current standard of flying so that
we can develop a plan tailored to your needs. Please feel free to call if
you need help with manoeuvres not covered in the table.
The IRCHA Table
As well as having fun, we believe that it's
important for students to see themselves make progress during their training.
You may decide to have just one or two lessons to get you going. However,
if you decide to have more lessons over a period of time, we will aim to develop
your skills using the levels laid down by the International Radio Controlled
Helicopter Association's achievement programme. We can train pilots up to
Level III of this programme, starting with the take-off and stationary hover and
then aiming to get you to a point where you can pass the BMFA 'A' Test (see
their handbook for
details). Please note that we do not test our own students - this must be
carried out by a qualified BMFA examiner. If you wish, we can put you in
touch with the BMFA's Area Testing Coordinator for details of local examiners.
| LEVEL I | LEVEL II | LEVEL III |
|
1. Take-off |
1. Completed Level I |
1. Completed all previous Levels |
|
2. Stationary Hover |
2. Taxi Out |
2. Nose-In Hover |
|
3. Hovering Laterally |
3. Climb-Out |
3. Nose-In Circle |
|
4. Multiple-level Hover |
4. 90 degree turns |
4. Take-off from Nose-In |
|
5. 3/4 Rear View Hovering |
5. Flying Box |
5. Land from Nose-In Hover. |
|
6. Full Lateral View Hovering |
6. 180 degree turns |
6. 540 Stall Turn |
|
7. Diagonal Hovering |
7. Straight and Level Flight |
7. Horizontal Roll |
|
8. Tail-in Circle |
8. Figure of Eight - Hovering - Constant Heading |
8. Immelman Turn |
|
9. Constant Heading Circle |
9. Figure of Eight - "Lazy 8" |
9. 1/2 Cuban Eight |
|
10. Figure of Eight - Flying |
10. Loop with a Pirouette at the top |
|
|
11. Traffic Pattern Approach to landing |
11. Flying Circle |
|
|
12. Translational Descent |
12. Figure of Eight - Nose-In and Tail-In |
|
|
13. Landing |
13. Autorotation Landing |
|
|
14. Stall Turn |
||
|
15. Inside Loop |
||
|
16. Pirouette |
Full details of these tests can be obtained from the International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association's website at http://www.ircha.org