Club Flight Training for New Members

Article VII—Field Rules

• New members, guests and visitors who wish to fly solo must show that they are capable of operating model aircraft in a safe manner or they must be accompanied by designated Club Flight Trainer.

• The combination to the gate for access to the field will be given to pilots upon completion of training and achieving pilot solo status or demonstrating ones abilities to a Flight Trainer designated by the club.

• Thursday nights are set aside for student pilots in training ONLY. This will be in effect from 3:00 p.m., or whenever the first student is readied for flight, until dusk. Please do not expect to fly if student pilots are present.

As a member of RC ACES Model Club, you will have access to our club website. However the combination to the gate for access to the field will be given to pilots upon completion of training and achieving pilot solo status OR demonstrating ones abilities to a Flight Trainer designated by the club. Even if you are an experienced flyer, if you are new to the club, you still need to be “solo’d” - that is, demonstrate your ability to fly safely. If you are a new club member and want to fly at our field, you must be a member of the Academy of Model Aeronautics (AMA), and your plane must be labeled with your FAA registration number.

PLEASE REMEMBER—THE EMPHASIS IS ON SAFETY! 
Everyone wants to be sure that you are a safe flyer, and will not endanger yourself or others. Please do not see this as an unreasonable burden. This is a fun and safe hobby ONLY if everyone puts in the effort. Many of the planes you see at the field are worth hundreds of dollars, and no one wants to see needless destruction due to carelessness. Of course, physical injury is something we want to avoid as well. Questions? Please contact our Club Safety Coordinator (donalddodier@gmail.com)

If you are a new member and want to receive flight training, you need to contact one of the Club Flight Trainers listed below. That way, you can arrange a specific time and date, or arrange to meet during the Thursday afternoon-evening sessions mentioned above. Note—if arrangements are not made ahead of time, don’t just show up on Thursday and expect someone will be there. You must schedule ahead of time with the below Club Flight Trainers.

Ready to Solo?
When you want to be evaluated for “Solo” status, the trainer will first review the club and AMA safety rules we all must follow. Next, he will do a safety check of your airplane (if you brought your own) to ensure it is safe and ready to fly. Finally, he will ask you to perform the following:

• Taxi or place your airplane on the airstrip, using the appropriate verbal announcement (“On the Field!”)
• Return to the flight position, test all airplane control surfaces, then announce take-off (“Taking Off!”)
• Perform a safe and controlled take-off including a shallow climb to the operating altitude (at least 100 ft).
• Once flying comfortably, announce and perform one simple maneuver (usually a roll or loop).
• When ready, complete the standard set up for landing, including a down-wind run, turn to base, and final approach. Just before entering final approach, announce your intention to land (“Landing!”).
• Perform a safe and controlled landing, as close to the center of the airstrip as possible. If the plane is capable of taxing, announce “Taxi back!” until the plane is back to your flight position.
• Once the plane is clear of the airstrip, announce “Clear!”

In order to be considered “solo’d”, the new member must complete the above process three times—usually one right after the other if time allows. The trainer will decide if the new member meets the requirements OR needs additional training and flight time. These are just the basics to fly—more training is needed.