Mississauga Model Flying Club.

We play it safe….

The Mississauga Model Flying Club Inc.

 

MMFC Wings Program

 

The MMFC Wings Program is an Instruction program with tried and proven methods of teaching newcomers to the hobby/sport of aero modelling to become proficient Pilots.

The foundation of the Wings Program was laid in the Oakville Model Flying Club over 30 years ago and was then adopted by MAAC as the Official training program for MAAC chartered Clubs across Canada.

A few OMFC members brought these instructional methods with them to MMFC in 1974 when they joined MMFC.

This training program has been designed to provide a basic standard of flight instruction and safety. We believe that consistency in the maneuvers being taught and attaining a high level of flying skill, while at the same time keeping interest high, is of prime importance.

Our hobby /sport is not a different situation as far as learning environment is concerned. We have a requirement for learning a motor skill that begins usually a Level Zero, and proceeds through various levels of competence, while gaining the ability to operate a new piece of machinery (your miniature aircraft).

Notice the use of the word "Level". The ultimate result of any training effort must be devoted to a final level of competence in the skill being taught. In our case, it is not only the solo flight of our R/C model, but flying consistently, safely and with complete confidence. Attaining the final skill level is not a single, unique, giant leap which can be taught singularly, but rather it is the fitting together of an associated series of intermediate attainable skill levels, each of increasing difficulty.

All Students MUST fly with the assistance of a Club approved Instructor until such time he has passed his Wings Test.

The Wings Program is divided into five levels following the initial pre-flight approval.

· Level 1: is devoted to pre-flight and post flight procedure including airworthiness, engine starting and tuning, radio range check, and use of the controls and first flight check by the Instructor.

· Level 2: gets the Student into the air and concentrates on basic straight and level flight, shallow turns and race-track patterns.

· Level 3: sharpens the Student skills of Level 2 maneuvers, steepens the medium bank turns and two basic aerobatics maneuvers demonstrating controlled flight of the aircraft.

· Level 4: adds the take-off, stall recovery at altitude and a traffic pattern and approach (no touch-down

· Level 5: the Student learns the final landing procedures, cross wind landings and forced landings.

Pre-Flight Approval

The choice of aircraft for the beginner to train on is most important. The high wing, tricycle landing gear configuration is most desirable and recommended. Aircraft of choice thru the '70s and 80's were types such as the Sig Cadet and the Goldberg Falcon 56. Today we have many good aircraft to choose from. The aforementioned aircraft are still good choices, as well as the Goldberg Eagle 63 and any other " cabin" type airplane with a flat bottom or semi-symmetrical airfoil.

Prior to showing up at the field to begin flight training, the student should present his aircraft for the initial pre-flight check to any qualified Club member for an appropriate airworthiness check. This check will include:

· Center of Gravity in the proper place.

· Flying surfaces warp free

· Radio, tank and engine properly installed.

· Control surfaces hinged properly and working smoothly without binding.

· Nose wheel (if installed) properly aligned and working smoothly.

· Motor preferably run and tuned properly.

It has been custom that most new students "show up" at the field with their planes "ready to fly", however these checks are better done in the home of either the student or a qualified member. This makes any necessary changes easier and eliminates the waste of valuable Instructor time at the field.

Following completion of the above inspections the Student is ready for flight instruction and should come to the field at designated times for instruction, or better, call an Instructor to arrange a mutually agreeable schedule. Please don't forget to bring your progress chart to the field.

Task Descriptions and Measurement Criteria

Level 1

· The Student should present his approved aircraft to the Instructor at the field ready for flight instruction as follows:

· The Student will learn and demonstrate correct range check procedures for his/her radio, per the manufacturer's recommendations. He will also demonstrate proper use of all controls.

· The Student will learn and demonstrate how to start and tune the engine to assure full power at all flight attitudes and check for reliable idle.

· The Instructor will flight check the aircraft for airworthiness.

· The Instructor will be certain the Student is aware of MAAC and local (MMFC) Club rules.

· The Student will learn post flight procedures and clean up.

Level 2

· During this level the Student should complete all pre flight checks including a radio range check and control surface checks. He should start the engine and tune it properly. He will learn to slow taxi to the end of the runway in preparation for take off. The Instructor will perform all take offs and landings during this level and assist the Student during air work when required.

· The Student will learn and demonstrate the ability to control the aircraft in straight and level flight with help from the Instructor as to the attitude and altitude when required. Ground track will be roughly parallel to the runway heading.

· The Student will learn and demonstrate a 15 degree banked turn (shallow turn) with help from the Instructor as to altitude and proper angle of bank.

· The Student will learn and demonstrate the ability to control the aircraft in Square Figure 8 and Round (lazy) Figure 8 patterns. These maneuvers should be executed in such a manner that the turns are made in directions away from the pit area. Right hand patterns will be flown to the right of and left-hand patterns will be flown to the left of the Pilots box. The Direction of flight is OUTBOUND in the center of the pattern in front of the pilots box. The full importance of this practice will be fully understood when the Student starts learning landing patterns.

· The Student will learn an Oval RaceTrack Flight, then Oblong Track both clockwise and counter clockwise in a "circuit" around the field. The Instructor will explain the terms "Into wind", Down wind", "Cross wind" and Base leg". All Down wind and Into wind legs will be parallel to the runway heading as required.

· The Student will learn and demonstrate his ability to slow taxi his aircraft.

Level 3

· The Student will demonstrate the angle of bank to 30 degrees for turns, Oval Racetrack and Figure 8 patterns.

· The Student will practice the Figure 8 patterns with special regard to maintaining a consistent altitude and ground track, despite wind rift and without Instructor correction.

· The Student will learn the Procedure Turn maneuver, both clockwise and counter clockwise, with emphasis on a consistent ground track.

· The Student will learn and demonstrate the Loop and Split-S maneuvers.

· The Student will demonstrate the ability to maintain proper control of his aircraft during high-speed taxi and the runway at 1/3 to 1/2 throttle. No weaving should be observed.

Level 4

· The Student continues to demonstrate all pre flight checks, engine starting and proper engine tuning.

· The Student will show his ability to maintain a proper runway heading at high-speed taxi runs.

· The Student will learn and demonstrate proficiency in take-off. He will learn the necessity to maintain a climb out angle of not more than 15 to 30 degrees until a safe altitude is reached before the first turn outbound.

· The Student will learn and demonstrate proficiency in slow flight using 1/2 to 1/3 to 1/4 throttle, and observe the behavior of the aircraft in both near stall and stalled conditions. These procedures will be conducted at altitude until the Student is confident flying his aircraft under these conditions without incident.

· The Student will learn proficiency in recovery from straight ahead and turning stalls in slow flight.

· The Student will learn and demonstrate proficiency in the landing pattern with respect to slower flight and 15 degree maximum bank. Aircraft MUST arrive over the end of the runway, on the runway heading with wings level to complete the maneuver.

Level 5

· The Student will learn and demonstrate the ability to land the aircraft and bring it to a full stop on the runway.

· The Student will learn and demonstrate the touch and go landing.

· The Student will learn and demonstrate the ability to land the aircraft on the runway from an unexpected forced landing from altitudes as low as the normal traffic pattern.

· The student will learn the crosswind landing.

· The Student will demonstrate all requirements of the Wings Test which will include proper pre flight procedures, the take off and climb to a safe altitude, two square figure 8's, two round figure 8's, two consecutive loops, one power on landing, and one dead stick landing.

When The Student can fly safely on his own without being a menace to the other pilots or spectators he will be permitted to fly "solo" for a short period of time in order to practice his air work and take offs and landings. The Instruction staff and other pilots will observe him as he flies under varying weather conditions. After a period of a couple of weeks, or when he or his Instructor feels he can satisfactorily fly his Wings Test he shall be provided the opportunity to try his test. If successful the NEW PILOT will be awarded his Pilots Wings Badge and he will be permitted to fly on his own at the Club approved flying site.