The Wings Program has been developed to assist people who would like to fly radio-controlled airplanes
and to develop their basic skills so that they can enjoy this great hobby in a safe manner.
Once able to control a trainer type airplane, the student will be permitted to fly at the club field
and with practice, move on to more complex models.
The Blades Program is for helicopters and multi-copters and once the Intermediate flight
level has been achieved, the new helicopter pilot will be qualified to fly on the main flight line.
There is no age limit, young or old, for these programs.
Students wanting to participate in the Wings and Blades programs must be members of BRCM.
A
Wings application form
must be completed and sent to the Wings Director.
And you can read the Wings/Blades Program Guide
here.
The application form can also be picked up at the monthly club meeting.
Ground School is done as a one-on-one session with the new student’s instructor and takes about ½ to 1 hour.
New students typically begin lessons at the start of the flying season.
Depending on the weather it can be as early as mid-March or as late as May.
Additional students will be started as time and instructors become available.
You must read the
Wings/Blades Program Guide prior to the ground school.
and sign a confirmation that you have read it, including an assurance that you will abide by all BRCM rules.
Students do not have to have an aircraft to attend the ground school, but will not be able to work
with an instructor until they have a model considered to be a suitable trainer by the Wings Director.
It is strongly recommended that students discuss the suitability of a model with club member pilots
or qualified hobby shop staff first, and to contact the Wings/Blades director before your purchase.
The instructor and student will arrange a training schedule that is mutually convenient.
It is important to remember that all instructors are volunteers who willingly giving their time to assist students.
They are all very competent pilots, but are NOT responsible for a student’s aircraft.
If damage occurs, repair or replacement IS the student's responsibility.
The details of the flight training program are provided in the
Wings/Blades Guide,
but the process is:
-
The instructor will examine the aircraft and, if satisfied that all is correct,
will test fly and trim the model to ensure that it will fly safely.
-
The first few flights will involve the use of a “buddy box”.
This is a slave transmitter linked to the controlling transmitter by cable or radio.
The buddy box allows the student to fly the aircraft, but the instructor can take over at
any time he feels that the student is in difficulty.
This ensures safety and reduces the probability of a crash.
-
Once the instructor considers that the student has developed the capability of taking off,
flying safely and landing, the student may continue to practice using the transmitter
without a connected buddy box, but WITH the instructor still by your side to advise and comment.
-
When the instructor is satisfied that the student is ready, the student will be required to take
a Wings/Blades checkout flight, witnessed by the instructor and another qualified club member.
If the student satisfies both witnesses, they will have graduated from the Wings/Blades Program
and will have their Record Sheet (included in the Wings Program Guide) signed off and sent to the
clubs Membership Secretary.
