Stay tuned for the 2012 Flight Training Classes - the flying season will be here soon - get those aircraft in shape and make sure you keep those batteries charged.

A new coordinator will be in charge next season and will announce the 2012 schedule and Program Plan in the Spring. Thank you all for a good year. Happy Landings, A.J.

Some students have asked about the Qualification Test. It is done without an instructor's assistance and you are on your own during the test. Start with reviewing the flight class section - it tells you what's required to be ready for the test. The following is what you will be expected to do: You first have to check your plane for the safety issues (everything tight, controls work properly). Next, card posted on board, proper radio procedure (Tx On-First-Off-Last), start engine, test for low/high operation, vertical run test, back to idle, put plane down and taxi to takeoff position, announce intention to takeoff, takeoff into the wind, and smooth climbout to enter traffic pattern (that's turning away from the field toward the ridge), establish altitude and demonstrate a pass, at altitude, in both directions with a turn at each end maintaining constant altitude. Then, make smooth climbing turns (at least a 1/2 circle) to the right and to the left followed by descending turns, right and left. This will be followed by a figure eight, smooth and lengthwise to the field, while maintaining constant altitude. Next are left and right circles done with rudder and elevator, no aileron input, again maintaining a relatively constant altitude. After that you will make approaches from both directions (ends of the field) and demonstrate throttle control through the approach (reduced throttle) and adding throttle for the climbout using smooth climbing turns away from the field. The final step is to demonstrate a proper landing pattern (downwind-base-final),calling out your intention to land, and accomplish a smooth landing, on the wheels,centered as best you can on the runway. You may taxi the plane back if still running and demonstrate proper shut-down procedure - remember "O-F-O-L". Clear the frequency (remove your card from the board) if you operate on 72Mhz.

Flight Class: I would like to remind ALL students of your responsibilty as outlined in Article III, section 9 of the By Laws which states that all unqualified flyers,e.g.,students, must fly with a CERTIFIED instructor. This means any club member who is not a club designated instructor and is approached by a student for flight assistance, MUST refer that individual to a qualified instructor.

Welcome to this year's flying season : Flight class information will be posted here to allow students to plan their training. As we all know, weather is the key factor in our hobby and training schedules are highly dependent on good flying conditions. Information will be posted alerting students to GO/NO GO status for any given class. Training schedules will be posted by the Coordinator. Times are approximate and subject to change according to situation . On Club Meeting Wednesday, when meetings are held at the field, any training will precede the meeting and terminate in time to allow the meeting to proceed without interruption. Training is always available by contacting the listed instructors. Please note that instructors conducting one-on-one training arranged by appointment are NOT there for general training and ask that you respect that arrangement. Instructors will also be conducting qualifications of experienced flyers who are new to the club. This can be done by appointment or on general training days. For any individuals aspiring to be an instructor, the club welcomes all who are truly qualified to help the program. You MUST be a competent flyer, preferably with some experience training others and be able to demonstrate that competency. No one likes to lose an aircraft and neither the student, nor the club, benefits from someone who is a marginal flyer attempting to train while in over his/her head. To the new students, please be patient. Your questions will be answered and you will get the attention you need. The instructors listed below are among the best around. They will help you not only with flight training but equipment set-up, safety procedures and much more. If you are unclear as to procedures or any detail, please ask them for help. Try to attend as many meetings as you can. It will help build the bond between you and the instructor(s) as well as make you more aware of what our club accomplishes. And above all, HAVE FUN!!!! - Training Co-ordinator

NOTICE! ! !

Pick an instructor from the list above. Contact them and arrange a day and time you both can come to the field. The instructon days will be posted. If you cannot make it on those days you can make other arrangements with an instructor. It makes it easier for everyone. We have several instructors. They are good teachers so talk with them and get out there!

Make use of your training program that we offer at the club. This is a free service! It is pilots giving back to the hobby! They volunteer so keep that in mind! They are taking time to train you. So be nice and work with your instructor the best you can because he is there for you.

If there is someone you want to train with, e-mail or call them and make arrangements to meet and go flying!

Any questions? Drop an e-mail to the coordinator, ask at the field or at the meetings.

Be sure to come to the web site often, as the instructors will use this avenue to communicate with you guys about weather, wind, rain and announcements concerning instruction. All you have to do now is look on the flight class web page and see if we will be having instruction that day.

NOTE: Be sure that you know the rules of the field and club. If something comes up you will know what to do. So be sure you read them and know them.

Before training days you may want to see if you have everything... Such as; AMA card even if you are 2.4 you have to post it! Do you have your buddy box & cord? Have you checked your batteries, checked all your connections, make sure all push rods are in connected and good to go, charged your plane and transmitter, and don't forget training on the simulator.

Ok see you at the field!

If you have any questions on equipment you'll need to get started, feel free to contact one of the club officers or visit your local hobby shop.

Training Coordinator:

It is important that the new pilot understands both safety and common sense guidelines provided by the East Coast Swamp Fliers and the Academy of Model Aviation. You should immediately understand that all pilots take a careful and pragmatic approach to flying their aircraft prior to and after the airplane leaves the ground.

Our goal is to get you flying safely, responsibly, and with necessary skills to fly on your own.

We are pilots who teach patience, and perseverance

As a new pilot, you should provide your own aircraft to learn with (You must have your own buddy box and cord to your radio). You may need to make a few trips to the field getting your aircraft air worthy... and in the end, your hard work will pay off.

First of all you will need to familiarize yourself with the General Field rules and regulations. Sticking to the Field rules and regulations will keep things safe for all.

Then comes the Pre-Flight Checklist! It should be a practice prior to every flight of your aircraft. It's always a good idea to run through a list a few times, even starting with the night before the next trip to the airfield.

What we want to do with the new pilot training program is to help the new pilot understand RC flight and your airplane set up.

We will teach the essentials for a pilot to solo successfully, receive a sign-off, then fly, fly, fly.

General Field Rules

Pre-Flight Checklist (Refered to prior to every flight)

Wing Safety Check:

Fuselage Safety Check:

Wing on Safety Check:

Flight Lesson Agenda

Flying Lessons

We will go mostly by what the AMA recommends with the training program

Field Procedures

Radio and Aircraft Familiarization

Flight Familiarization

Flight Maneuvers

Accuracy Maneuvers

Orientation Maneuvers

Take Off

Recovery From Unusual Attitudes

Approaches To Landing

Emergency Procedures

Solo Flight