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Flying Tigers Wings Program 2005
Novice instruction will on a one to one basis
Throughout the flying season.A printable copy of our wings program can be downloaded here. This version of the program is in MS Word (.doc)
To Download RIGHT CLICK HERE and select " save target as" to a folder on your hard drive. You must have MS Word installed to view file.
HTML Version
Introduction:
We at the Flying Tigers Radio Control Club offer both instructions in fixed wing aircraft and helicopters. The purpose of a wings program is to provide the new comer to the hobby of radio control, a safe and rewarding experience on which to grow. Learning to fly a radio control model takes a great deal of patience, time and dedication. With the use of club instructors and this wings program we hope to make this transition from novice to pilot as easy as possible. Also note that the use of simulated flight training programs such as "Real Flight" are a great aid, but is no replacement for the real thing.
The national organization (MAAC) has a wings program in place for clubs to use. I encourage all club members to familiarize themselves with this program. Our club’s wings program has been modified from this document to suit our own needs. No one program is ideal to every situation. The Flying Tigers have been offering a wings program for many years now, and this new outline has been designed to be fair to both the novice and the instructors of the club.Wings Program Outline
Wings Test
- Novice training (FixedWing) will be conducted throughout the flying season with a two student to one instructor ratio . Spots fill up fast so book early .
- It is recommended that new students familiarize themselves with MAAC safety code and etiquette code.(Available on the MAAC Web Site)
- Instructors must check out each airplane before flight for air-worthiness.
- Instructors must introduce the novice to the field, club rules paying special attention to the frequency control system.
- Novices are not to fly their models unless accompanied by a club instructor.
- Novices are required to enter their names on the sign-up sheet upon arrival to the field for a training session.
- Novices are required to ensure that their airplanes are ready to go when their name comes up on the sign-up sheet.
- Two instructors must be present for any novice attempting a pilot wing test.
- After successful examination a candidate will receive a certificate and MAAC wing medallion at the next general meeting of the Flying Tigers R/C Club.
Before taking the Wings test the prospective pilot must demonstrate to their Instructor that they are capable of flying the test from either direction and have mastered dead stick landing procedures. In addition the candidate must demonstrated a full knowledge of the club flight rules as well as the frequency system. While these capabilities are not suitable to be demonstrated in a "test" situation they are viewed as mandatory capabilities for competent pilots.
- The pilot must stay within the designated pilot area for all manoeuvres.
- The pilot or their aid must call his manoeuvres prior to execution
- At no time should the aircraft fly behind the flight line
- Candidates will maintain a reasonable height and range while being judged
Candidates must demonstrate during their examination period his/her ability to:
- Take off.
- Maintain straight and level flight parallel to the runway
- Procedure turn.
- Perform a figure eight.
- Rectangular Approach.
- Land under power.
GENERAL DOWNGRADING
A general downgrading of the candidate’s attempt will be made due to the following:
· Each time the aircraft crosses the flight line.
· Each time a manoeuvre is not clearly called.
· For flying too far away.NOTE: See description of manoeuvres for individual downgrading.
Manoeuvres:
1) Take off:
From a dead stop, model travels straight down the center of the runway. Model lifts off and climbs out straight with wing level manoeuvre complete two meters off the ground.
Downgrades:
· Take-off not straight.
· Lift-off is not smooth.
· Climb-out too steep or erratic.
· Model pulls left or right during climb.
2) Maintain straight and level flight parallel to the runway:
Straight Flight Out
The model will attain altitude and must be flown parallel to the runway in an absolutely straight and level path into the wind for three to five seconds. The manoeuvre must be centered directly in front of the judges.Straight Flight back
The model flies straight and level on the same line and altitude as the Straight Flight Out and finished in front of the judges
Downgrades:
· Model makes change in altitude during straight and level flight.
3) Procedure turn
After the Straight Flight Out, model makes a 90 degree turn away from the flight line followed by a 270 degree turn in the opposite direction back to the reverse flight path of the Straight Flight Out.
Downgrades
· First turn not exactly 90 degrees.
· Opposite turn not exactly 270 degrees.
· Changes in altitude during turn.
· Turns not smooth and circular.
· Does not head back over exact outgoing path.
4) Perform a figure eight
The model will attain altitude and must be flown parallel to the runway to a point at the centerline of the judges. Model then makes a ninety-degree turn in a direction away from the judges, levels its wings, and then makes a 360 degree flat turn to the right or left.
When the model returns to its original heading away from the flight line, it makes a second 360 degree flat turn in the opposite direction to the first 360 degree turn. The manoeuvre is complete when the model levels its wings after the second 360-degree turn.
Downgrades:
· First turn not exactly 90 degrees.
· 360 degree turns not circular in shape.
· Model makes changes in altitude during 360-degree turns.
· Model does not finish the first and second 360-degree turns at the original start point of the manoeuvre
5) Rectangular Approach
The manoeuvre begins with the model flying straight and level into the wind parallel to the runway. At the far end of the runway, the model turns 90 degrees away from the flight line for the first crosswind leg. The model makes a second 90-degree turn into the downwind leg. The model makes a third 90 degree turn into the second crosswind leg. The model makes a fourth 90 degree turn into the wind and continues on a descending flight towards the touchdown at the start of the landing strip. The first three legs are to be held at a constant altitude. The descent will commence after the fourth 90-degree turn has been executed. The manoeuvre is complete when the aircraft descends to 2 meters off of the ground.
Downgrades
· The 90-degree turns are not smooth and precise.
· Turns are more or less than 90 degrees.
· Model deviates from heading on the straight part of any leg.
· Model changes altitude on the straight part of the first three legs
6) Land under power.
The maneuver starts when the aircraft descends to two meters above the ground. The model flares smoothly to touch the ground and rolls to a stop with no bouncing or changes in heading
Downgrades
· Wings not level.
· Model changes heading.
· Model impacts the ground due to lack of flare.
· Model bounces after touchdown.
· Model ends up on its back
HELICOPTER WINGS
The intention of this program is twofold. The first is safety. The student will learn each manoeuvre without endangering him, other pilots or any spectators in the area. The second aim of this program is to help the student learn as quickly and easily as possible without damaging any equipment. Although a crash is a possibility, almost every new helicopter pilot can graduate from this program without incident.
The instructor is there to help achieve these goals. Take advantage of their expertise. Also the club rules state " no student shall fly without an instructor" before they have earned their wings. The student will be guided through a series of stages in the program. Progression from one stage to the next is at the instructor’s discretion. Final completion of the program requires the approval of two instructors, one of whom must be qualified to teach helicopters. At this time there is only two instructors qualified to teach helicopters…Chris Pare or Shayne Tupper…. Call them for help or flying appointments.
STAGE ONE – INTRODUCTION
On completion of this stage the student will: Have an understanding of the club rules and frequency control, have an understanding of the basic aerodynamics of helicopter flight, Have an understanding of all required flight controls, trims, and modes. Be aware of routine maintenance required by the model in use, be able to safely fuel and start the helicopter by him/her self
A qualified helicopter instructor must supervise stage one.STAGE TWO - HOVER PRACTICE
On completion of this stage the student will: be able to complete all requirements of stage one lift off, straight up from a one meter square hell-pad, hover at shoulder height for 20 seconds, descend and land on the same pad.
A qualified helicopter instructor must supervise stage two.STAGE THREE - FORWARD FLIGHT
On completion of this stage the student will be able to complete all requirements of stage two. He will be able to lift off to shoulder height from the center pad, move to the right of the pad at a constant altitude, and hold for 10 sec. Then move to the left pad at a constant altitude and hold for 10 sec. Then return to the center of the pad to land.
Any instructor may supervise stage three. The student must realize that fixed wing instructors may not be able to assist in any way. He is there as a second set of eyes to warn the student of his surroundings. Such as approaching people or fixed wing aircraft. The student will earn his / her wings by performing a test flight witnessed by two instructors consisting of the manoeuvres described in stage three.
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