(a) Before you do anything else, make sure that you understand and are complying with the field frequency control system. NEVER switch on until you are sure it is safe.
(b) Before every flight, check that transmitter trims, rate switches etc. are in their correct positions and that each control surface on the model moves freely and in the correct sense.
(c) Immediately before take-off, flight controls must be checked for full, free and correct movement under full power if applicable. If there are any doubts as to their operation, DO NOT FLY.
(d) Flyers wishing to use adjacent frequency channels should first perform an interaction check. Flyers regularly operating together on adjacent channels should perform the check every two or three months.
See the previous section on Radio Control at Your Club for details of the simple check you should perform.
(e) Inexperienced R/C flyers should never fly without an experienced helper.
(f) Unless positive controls are in force, all flyers should use the same take-off area at any particular flying session.
(g) Do not taxi in or out of the pits area. Wheel or carry your model well clear of the pits before commencing taxying and stop the model well clear when taxying back after landing.
(h) Before take-off, check that both ground and sky are clear and never take off or land towards other pilots, spectators or the pits area.
(i) Always make the initial turn after take-off away from spectators and parking areas. Diving manoeuvres should always be pointed away from spectators, parking areas and other people.
(j) Always maintain a clear view of the model and allow plenty of room between the flight path and spectators, other flyers or model pit areas. NEVER fly between yourself and spectator or pit areas, especially when landing.
(k) DO NOT OVERFLY houses, domestic gardens, car parks, traffic, railways, organised games or spectators. You may not be able to control people walking by at a reasonable distance from the take off/landing area but you should take care not to overfly them at low level.
(l) At any sign of malfunction or an unexpected jettisoning of model parts, land as soon as it is safe to do so.
(m) Do not distract pilots, particularly when they are controlling models taking off or landing.
(n) Clubs should exercise strict control over the take-off/landing area used. Pilots about to take off should inform people already flying. Pilots landing should have priority but must call out their intentions ‘loud and clear’ and must NEVER assume that they have been heard. A pilot going out to take off may not hear a call over the noise of his model's engine.
(o) NEVER assume that the landing area is clear even if you have called landing. In emergency situations call for help from your fellow flyers and always be prepared to land in a safe place off the landing area if necessary. In ALL cases, the safety of people is paramount.
(p) Care must be taken at all times to avoid overflying operating transmitters. Pilots should stand together and should not be allowed to wander over the flying area when operating transmitters. Clubs should take action to prevent operating transmitters being taken out on to an active flying area when, for example, models are being retrieved.
There are exceptions to this particularly in some silent flight operations, and extreme care should be taken not to overfly transmitters in these cases.
(q) Take extra care when flying in adverse weather conditions. It is easy to lose sight of your model in fog or low cloud. Strong winds and turbulence can be a stimulating challenge but can catch out the unwary. Flying in rain can give serious radio problems if water gets inside your transmitter.
(r) The staging of deliberate mid-air collisions at airshows and public displays is banned and they are not covered by the Association's insurance.
PRE FLYING SESSION CHECKS
On arrival at the flying site:
(1) Check airframe for any transit damage.
(2) Check that servos and linkages are secure.
(3) Check undercarriage for secure fixing and correct alignment.
(4) Check propeller for damage and secure fixing.
CHECKS BEFORE EACH FLIGHT
(1) After obtaining frequency clearance, switch transmitter ON then receiver ON. Check that all controls operate freely and in the correct sense. Check that all control surfaces are in their correct positions with the transmitter trims at neutral.
(2) Look for any minor radio malfunctions such as slow or ‘jittery’ servos, glitches etc. If in doubt, DO NOT FLY.
(3) After starting the engine and allowing it to warm up, check that the pick-up from idle to full power is satisfactory. Hold the model with its nose pointing upwards at a steep climbing angle for ten or fifteen seconds and check engine operation at full power. If the engine falters or cuts it is usually set too lean and must be re-tuned. Repeat the test until the engine runs correctly in the nose-up attitude.
(4) With the aircraft held securely on the ground, open up again to full power and re-check all flying controls again.
(5) DOUBLE CHECK that all transmitter trims, rate switches, mixers etc. are in their correct positions and that the transmitter meter is ‘in the green’.
Be S.M.A.R.T. with your transmitter.
S...switch on
M...meter in the green
A...aerial secure and extended
R...rate switches all in correct positions
T...trims all in correct positions
CHECKS AFTER EACH FLIGHT
(1) Receiver OFF then transmitter OFF.
(2) Clear the frequency control system.
(3) Clean the aircraft down
(4) Check propeller, airframe, undercarriage, wing fixing etc. for security of fastening and for possible flight or landing damage.
REMEMBER - Never fly with a damaged aircraft or propeller, or with any possible radio problem.
(a) ARTFs are very popular and usually offer very good value for money but you should be aware that some airframes you may buy could have manufacturing or design defects. Close scrutiny of even a pre-covered airframe may pay big dividends if you can prevent a future failure.
(b) All visible glue joints within the fuselage should be checked, especially the engine bulkhead, fuselage bulkheads, wing mounting plates or wing dowels, undercarriage mountings and servo mountings. If you have any concerns then the reinforcement of many of these joints using scrap balsa stripwood will significantly increase the strength and durability of the airframe for very little weight increase.
(c) Take particular care when gluing wing panels together. Follow the manufacturers instructions and when adding such things as dihedral braces make sure that the whole joint is wetted out by the glue.
(d) Check pre-fitted pushrods, snakes and clevises for suitability. Most will be fine but some have been seen that were inadequate for the job expected of them, either being to thin or too weak. The rule of thumb should be ‘if I was fitting this, would I fit this’.
(e) Always check flying surfaces for warps - don’t assume that a wing will be straight because it was built for you. Minor warps can sometimes be removed by gently heating the covering, twisting the surface in opposition to the warp and holding until cool. Major warps are a reason for returning to where you bought the model.
(f) The ONLY acceptable (and beneficial) warp on an R/C model is matched wash-out. That is, looking from the rear the trailing edge at each wingtip is twisted upwards a little compared to the root of the wing. If this is present then it MUST be even on both wings or it’s just another warp.
(g) On i/c powered models, have a good look at the fuel proofing around the engine and fuel tank bay. If you are looking towards something more than a throw away airframe then an extra coat of fuel proofer in and around the nose may be worth while.
(FIXED-WING)
The examination for an ‘A’ Certificate may be taken on application to any Registered Club Examiner or Chief Examiner. The candidate must successfully carry out the following flying test and reference to the Guidance Notes is very strongly recommended:
(a) Carry out pre-flight checks as required by the BMFA Safety Codes.
(b) Take off and complete a left (or right) hand circuit and overfly the take-off area.
(c) Fly a ‘figure of eight’ course with the cross-over point in front of the pilot, height to be constant.
(d) Fly a rectangular circuit and approach with appropriate use of the throttle and perform a landing on the designated landing area.
If the engine stops during the landing the model may be retrieved and the engine restarted to enable the remaining parts of the test to be completed.
(e) Take off and complete a left (or right) hand circuit and overfly the take-off area
(f) Fly a rectangular circuit at a constant height in the opposite direction to the landing circuit flown in (d).
(g) Perform a simulated deadstick landing with the engine at idle, beginning at a safe height (approx. 200 ft) heading into wind over the take-off area, the landing to be made in a safe manner on the designated landing area.
(h) Remove model and equipment from take-off/landing area.
(i) Complete post-flight checks required by the BMFA Safety Codes.
All manoeuvres must be carried out in front of the pilot and, depending on the wind direction, (c), (d) and (f) may be flown as shown in the accompanying drawing.
The above schedule is treated as one test flight and must be completed in one attempt. Two attempts per examination will be allowed in any one day.
If, in the opinion of the Examiner the surface of the flying area is such that a rolling take-off would not be possible, hand launches may be permitted.
In addition to the flying schedule, the candidate must answer correctly a minimum of five questions on safety matters, based on the BMFA Safety Codes for General Flying and local flying rules.
Note – The clear implication of the above change is that you must now turn up for your test with a model that is capable of taking off on it’s own undercarriage or from a dolly.
(FIXED-WING)
The examination for a ‘B’ Certificate may be taken on application to a Registered Examiner. The examination may be carried out by:
(a) Two Registered Examiners (the ‘lead’ must be a Fixed Wing Examiner).
(b) A Fixed Wing Chief Examiner
If your club does not have any Registered Fixed Wing Examiners, you should contact your local Area Achievement Scheme Co-ordinator who will be able to help. Names and telephone numbers of Area Co-ordinators are available from the BMFA Leicester office.
The candidate must successfully complete the following flying tests and reference to the Guidance Notes is very strongly recommended:
(a) Carry out pre-flight checks as required by the BMFA Safety Codes.
(b) Take off and complete a left (or right) hand circuit and overfly the take-off area.
(c)
Fly a ‘figure of eight’ course with the crossover point in front of the pilot,
height to be constant. This manoeuvre must be flown more accurately than the
similar manoeuvre in the ‘A’ certificate test.
(d) Fly into wind and complete one inside loop.
(e) Fly downwind and complete one outside loop downwards from the top (i.e. a bunt).
For aircraft (scale aircraft specifically) which for reasons of structural strength or control limitations cannot perform an outside loop, a Split S or Reversal (from level flight, half roll to inverted, hold, then pull through half loop to recover in level flight) may be accepted by the Examiner.
(f) Complete two consecutive rolls into wind.
(g) Complete two consecutive rolls downwind using the opposite direction of roll rotation to that used in (f) above.
(h) Complete a stall turn either left or right.
(i) Gain height and perform a three turn spin. For aircraft which will not spin, a spin attempt resulting in a spiral dive (not necessarily of three turns), will be acceptable. In each case the initial heading and the recovery heading must be into wind and the model must fall into the spin (no ‘flick’ spin entry).
(j) Fly a rectangular landing approach and overshoot from below 10 ft. Note that this manoeuvre is an aborted landing, not a low pass.
(k) Fly a rectangular circuit in the opposite direction to that in (j) at a constant height of not more than 40 feet.
(l) Fly a rectangular landing approach and land (wheels to touch within a pre-designated 30 metre boundary).
(m) Complete post-flight checks as required by the BMFA Safety Codes.
Parts (d),(e),(f),(g),(h) and (i) must be performed in airspace designated by the examiner prior to the test flight. The schedule must be completed in one flight.
Exceptionally, at a pre-determined point in the flight an intermediate landing may be permitted for the sole purpose of refuelling or the fitting of a freshly charged flight battery. This landing may only be made with the prior consent of the Examiners. Two attempts per examination will be allowed in any one day.
All manoeuvres must be carried out in front of the pilot.
Depending on the wind direction, (j), (k) and (l) will be flown as EITHER left hand overshoot circuit, right hand rectangular circuit, left hand landing circuit OR right hand overshoot circuit, left hand rectangular circuit, right hand landing circuit.
In addition to the above flying schedule, the applicant must answer satisfactorily a minimum of eight questions on safety matters based on the BMFA Safety Codes for General Flying and Model Flying Displays and local flying rules.
(Fixed Wing)
The examination for a ‘C (Fixed Wing)’ Certificate may be taken on application
to your Area Achievement Scheme Co-ordinator. The examination will be carried
out by either one Area Chief Examiner and One Club Examiner, both of whom must
be Fixed Wing Qualified, or two Chief Examiners, one of whom must be Fixed Wing
qualified.
To apply to take the ‘C (FW)’ Certificate, the candidate must already hold the ‘B’ Certificate (Fixed Wing).
The applicant may use any type of model capable of performing the manoeuvres set
out in the following schedule. Reference to the appropriate Test Standards
Booklet is very strongly recommended.
(a) Carry out pre-flight checks as required by the BMFA safety Codes, including failsafe operation if appropriate.
(b) Take off and join the circuit in whichever direction is appropriate for the
conditions.
(c) Perform a slow roll in either direction.
(d) Fly Inverted straight flight for a minimum of 5 seconds at approximately 30
feet with one roll from inverted to inverted.
(e) Perform an inverted 2 ½ turn spin, exit to inverted.
(f) Perform a square loop with ½ roll on both vertical legs.
(g) Stall turn with ¼ rolls on the ascent and decent, exit upright. Stall turn
to be done with underside of model towards the pilot.
(h) The candidate will then select and perform seven manoeuvres from the list
below. The manoeuvres and the order in which they are flown must be agreed
with the examiners prior to the test.
(1) Knife-edge flight in either direction, below 30 feet, for at least 4 seconds
or longer at the discretion of the examiner.
(2) Cuban 16 with half and full rolls.
(3) Hourglass with half roll in top line.
(4) Two consecutive outside square loops, from the bottom.
(5) Double stall turn, entry and exit inverted.
(6) Inverted rectangular figure of eight at a constant height of no more than 50
feet.
(7) Pull to vertical, one vertical roll up, push to vertical down, one vertical
roll down, pull to upright level flight.
(8) Double avalanche. Two consecutive inside loops, each with positive snap roll
at the top.
(9) Knife edge 45 degree climb with one positive snap roll from knife edge to
knife edge in either direction.
(10)Rolling Circle.
(i) Perform a landing circuit appropriate to the site and conditions.
(j) Perform a landing, wheels to touch within 5 metres of a pre-designated
point.
(k) Complete post flight checks as required by the BMFA Safety Codes.
(l) At least once during the test the examiner will call an emergency and this
may happen at ANY time during the assessment. The candidate will be expected to
respond in a way appropriate to the emergency called. Note that this may involve
an intermediate landing and take-off. If the emergency is called part way
through a manoeuvre, the manoeuvre must be repeated after the emergency has been
dealt with.
(m) Exceptionally, at a pre-determined point in the flight an intermediate
landing may be permitted for the sole purpose of the fitting of a freshly
charged flight battery. This landing may only be made with the prior consent of
the Examiners.
(n) Two attempts per examination will be allowed in any one day.
(o) All manoeuvres must be carried out in front of the pilot.
(p) In addition to the above flying schedule, the applicant will be interviewed
by the examiners and must display a satisfactory depth of knowledge of model
flying in general and, in particular, of safety matters based on the BMFA Safety
Codes for General Flying and Model Flying Displays.