Learning To Fly
When it comes to learning to fly, the club is very pro-active. Being affiliated to the BMFA, we follow the BMFA Achievement schemes comprising of A & B Certificates for all disciplines of RC flying. We currently have three active Registered Club Examiners (Shane Browning, Andy Best, and most recently Dave Wilkinson, and Dave is also a Registered Club Instructor. We also have two club trainer aircraft virtually ready-to-go at all times. These are a Ready 2 (like the yellow model below) and a Superstar 40 (pictured below the Ready). These are both very good trainer platforms and perform well. Dave Wilkinson and Thomas David flew the two club aircraft in the display on our Fun Day in August 2005, and both aircraft were also used for the Buddy Box sessions during the afternoon..
The club utilises a buddy-box system wherever possible during initial flight training, as it's the safest way of the instructor regaining control when something could go wrong. It is basically a dual-control system where the instructor just holds a sprung button or switch on the radio they are using which hands control to the "slave" radio. Control is handed back just by the instructor letting go of the switch. We try to hold a couple of "trainer days" during the year when we invite people to come and have a go with one of the aircraft. Also if somebody appears interested in the hobby we can organise for them to have a go on the club trainer. And, if somebody goes and buys their own plane, we can teach them to fly using the same buddy-box method.
Below, Motor Racing driver Andy Priaulx has a go with the Club's Ready 2, with Dave Wilkinson on the "master" radio. Andy's father Graham also had a flight during the session. Both fared very well.
Helicopters...now there's a different kettle of fish!! We can also help people get in the air when it comes to helicopters, although a buddy-box system is maybe not such a good system, especially during the early learning when the machine never really leaves the ground. What we can do is provide pointers and instructions on which way to move the controls and assist by just being there. Probably the best way we can help people get success with helicopters is by helping them to get a good basic machine set-up. Accurate Blade tracking, Reliable Engine Tuning and a good Radio/Control Set-up are an absolute must for success when it comes to heli-flying. If something is not spot on, all it will do is hinder progress and make it more difficult than it is already.
We can also give advice on which models are best for learning with. One of the best in recent years has been the Raptor 30. It is cheap to buy (as heli's go), flies well, is not too fast but not too slow, and does not cost the world to repair. As a beginner heli, it is almost perfect.
If you are interested in learning to fly, would like more info on our club, or would like to join the club, the either come and see us at the flying site or contact or send us an E-mail.
Useful links:
Click here to Download Club Membership Form Cost for seniors is £43, Juniors is £22, and non-flying members are £29. All completed forms and cash / cheques should be given to Shane Browning.