dac flight training and test introduction · look out for potential hazards before flying? ......

DAC Solo Rating – Bronze(P) Wings Test cont’

Ver. 2.2a of 19 24/07/2016 Updated By A.Z. & M.B

DAC Flight Training and Test Introduction

At Doncaster Aeromodellers’ Club (DAC) our aim is to provide you with a high level of mentoring when

you are learning to fly radio control aircraft.

Our field is restrictive in size and it is important that you are able to build and maintain aircraft that are

reliable, that you can control the aircraft within the field boundaries consistently and reliably in a range of

weather conditions.

Your DAC instructor will guide you through the fundamentals included in this guide. The process may

take weeks or months of continuous practice.

When you are ready to do the Bronze(P) wings test you will have consistently demonstrated the following

attitudes / skills over a period of time and condition:-

Can fly the Bronze(P) wings manoeuvres and demonstrate knowledge of the theory component?

Do you maintain your aircraft and equipment to a high standard always perform pre-flight checks;

look out for potential hazards before flying?

Are you considerate and communicate effectively (announcing, listening and acknowledging) with

other pilots?

Are you Consistently and accurately fly the DAC rectangular circuits (left hand and right hand),

procedure turns and horizontal figure 8’s (inward and outward) in calm and also windy conditions?

Do you Consistently control your landing approaches (clockwise and anti-clockwise) through gates

1, 2, 3 and land close to the runway centre line, in front of the pilot?

When demonstrating procedure turns and horizontal figure 8’s you consistently and sub

consciously (without needing to think) compensate for thrust (throttle), roll (aileron), pitch (elevator)

to ensure turns of even diameter, minimal change in height, and a nominal airspeed for your aircraft?

Do you plan ahead your flight path. Before take-off where are the hazards (wind direction, sun,

wind turbulence, circuit direction, other models and style of flying)? During flight, planning your

next move (down wind and into wind turns, where are the other models)? Windy days staying inside

the down wind boundaries and not going too far down wind in case of emergency?

Are you comfortable with a dead stick landing (motor cut) at any point in your flying circuit (calm

AND windy days - winds from various directions)?

Good aircraft orientation: If you find your aircraft in a disorientated situation (from strong winds or

a mistake in input) how quick are your reactions in recovering to normal flight? Are you comfortable

perceiving the orientation of your aircraft at all angles of view?

Do you know your equipment? Transmitter - H/L rates, kill switch, range check. ESC - hard cut-

off. Battery - balance charge, transport, disposal. Model - CoG, etc………



Plane Bronze Wings Test for Electric / IC Models for Solo Rating NOTE:- The following information is based on the Bronze(P) Wings Test defined in the:

MAAA Trainee Pilot Logbook (2004)

Bronze(P) Wings form MAAA016 (22-03-2012) http://www.maaa.asn.au

DAC Club Safety Rules and Operating Guidelines. http://www.dac.org.au

Specific inclusions/exclusions have been made to accommodate electric powered models.

Bronze(P) Wing Candidate: .................................................... Date: ..........................

Examiner: ................................................................................ Result: ........................

1. Dexterity

The pilot must be able to locate (without looking) all

the transmitter controls quickly without fumbling.

Transmitter Mode: 1 2

a) Throttle .......................................................

b) Elevator .......................................................

c) Rudder .........................................................

d) Aileron ........................................................

e) Trims ...........................................................

f) Hi/Lo rate switches .....................................

g) Throttle hold ...............................................

h) Model select & setup menu ........................

Examiner’s comments - Pass

......................................................................................

......................................................................................

2. Theory

The pilot must be able to name all major

components of the aircraft and define functions,

including effect of controls.

a) Throttle .......................................................

b) Elevator / Fin ..............................................

c) Rudder / Tailplane ......................................

d) Aileron / Wing ............................................

e) Pitch ............................................................

f) Roll .............................................................

g) Yaw .............................................................

h) Centre of Gravity (CG) ...............................


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http://www.maaa.asn.au/

http://www.dac.org.au/



The pilot must have a thorough knowledge of safety rules and regulations. Example below:

a) Indicate the Flight Area and the Prohibited Flight Zones on map below.

Roads, Car park, Pits, Buildings, Public Area, Sports grounds, Overhead .......................

Distance from public while taking off, flying or landing ............................ _____m .......

Distance to all pilots when aircraft is flying 3D .......................................... _____m .......

Distance beyond DAC “main flying area” boundary .................................. _____m .......

b) Equipment and operation. Explain: ....................................................................................................

Radio range check – When, antenna, motor, model restrained, distance ...........................

Radio fail-safe – How to setup, test, reset (inc throttle)? ..................................................

Receiver – Location of receiver and antenna, (ref. to manual for installation) ................

Transmitter – Battery charging setup, duration, when ......................................................

ESC –Low Voltage Cut-off (LVC) hard/soft and voltage, brake on/off ...........................

The use of radio pound and frequency key (key clearly labelled) .....................................

What 2.4GHz radio receivers are allowed at DAC (full, park, indoor range). ..................

How often at DAC does 36MHz transmitter need to be frequency certified? ...................

Frequency key boards 2” and 1” found at different flying clubs. ......................................

c) Flight line procedure – On the strip/field(ask), clear, landing, dead stick, circuit direction, get and

give acknowledgement, prompt leave runway, LOOK before entering strip ................................

d) Taxiway – Towards yourself or others ..........................................................................................

e) Pit’s – Model location and direction, restrained, no taxi, start-up .................................................

f) Are you allowed to fly on Total Fire Ban days? ............................................................................

g) Maximum noise level for IC and for other models? ......................................................................

h) Explain motor start-up/shutdown sequence – Transmitter, location, restraints, etc. .....................

i) Explain LiPo batteries – Hazards, Storage, Transport, Charging, Balancer, Damaged, Disposal

j) At DAC field when should the windsock and cones be put out? ..................................................

k) What are DAC operation hours for IC models? ............................................................................

l) Location of first aid kit and fire extinguisher and who to contact in emergency? ........................

m) When should an incident be report and how? (did/could cause injury or damage) ........................


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3. Airframe & Pre-flight Check

The pilot checks the engine mounting, plumbing (for IC engines), centre of gravity location, security of

batteries under-carriage and signs of structural or covering problems that could affect flight e.g. presence

of warps which could affect trim. The pilot also performs a safe start up sequence (including arming

electric motors if appropriate), checks that controls are neutral and control throws correct, and checks

throttle setting, state of battery and performs a range check.

a) Summary of Airframe check by pilot:

Wings – Secure, structural/covering problems, straight & true, washout ...........

Fuselage / Undercarriage / Tailplane – Secure, structural/covering problems ....

Power system – Secure, ESC (brake on/off, type of cut-off ), UBEC adequate for servos,

Power adequate for model ...................................................................................

Cabling/Connectors – Secure, full insulated, firm connections ........................

Servos – Linkages secure, cable/connector secure, ...........................................

Miscellaneous – Centre of Gravity ....................................................................

Radio equipment – MAAA & DAC approved, Antenna location, Mixing .......

b) Summary of Pre-flight check by pilot:

Radio – Battery (Tx & Rx), Frequency key, Range check, Hi/Low rates .........

Wings/Aileron – Straight & true, throw, direction, no binding/slack, trim .........

Fin/Rudder – Straight & true, throw, direction, no binding/slack, trim ..............

Undercarriage – Secure, steers true, no binding/slack .........................................

Tailplane/Elevator – Straight & true, throw, direction, no binding/slack , trim ..

Flaps/Spoilers/Brakes – Throw, direction, no binding/slack, trim ......................

Fuel / Battery – Secure, full, no leaks, lines clear, cables clear ...........................

Motor / Prop – Secure, no vibration, cut-off set ..................................................


..........................................................................................................................................................

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4. Take Off

For aircraft with Rise Off Ground capability: The pilot demonstrates gradual application of power

while keeping the aircraft straight, and using a little elevator to lift off, makes a gentle climb out with

wings level until safe altitude is reached.

For aircraft requiring hand launch: The pilot ensures that the propeller arc is clear before applying

power. Apply full power and launch the aircraft directly into wind. Maintain launch heading and makes

a gentle climb out with wings level until safe altitude is reached.

Examiner’s comments - In control and executed? (Easy/Confident/Calm) Pass

..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

5. Trimming

Pilot shows ability to trim the aircraft in flight. Displacement and re-trimming both the primary roll

(aileron/rudder) control and elevator should be demonstrated.


..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

6. Procedure Turns (One in each direction)

The pilot’s ability to perform the following steps in the procedure turn will be assessed.

a. Level flight segments should be straight and level.

b. Aircraft should pass directly over the landing area.

c. Turns should be at a constant altitude.

d. Turns should be completed in order that upwind and downwind tracks are superimposed.


..........................................................................................................................................................

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7. Figure Eight (Inward or Outward)

Pilot to demonstrate either an Inward or Outward Figure Eight, as shown in the diagram in the MAAA

Pilot Log Book. This is a flat eight circuit without loss of height and with the change of turn directions

directly in front of the pilot.


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8. Landing Circuits

Circuits are restricted to the East of the flight line at the Bulleen field. The circuits direction should be as

agreed with general flying at the time of the test.

Pilot to demonstrate in both directions, as shown in the diagram in the MAAA Pilot Log Book, with all

turns of 90 degrees. With high performance aircraft, the power needs to be reduced much sooner than at

the turn onto base leg. The upwind and downwind legs are parallel to the landing strip. The first three legs

are maintained at a constant height and a gradual approach angle is started at the beginning of the base

leg.


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9. Approach & Landing

Pilot demonstrates an engine assisted landing, using a suitable power setting that allows the model to

descend, controlling nose attitude with elevators (airspeed), and using the throttle to stabilise the rate of

descent. The aircraft should be flown over the threshold at an altitude of about 1.5 metres, the throttle

closed gradually, and the round-out or flare initiated. The "hold-off" period is then commenced where the

aircraft is gradually allowed to sink and settle on the ground in a slightly nose high attitude.


..........................................................................................................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................

10. Simulated Dead Stick Landing

At a safe and high position, the pilot will reduce the throttle to idle and perform a descending circuit to

show his/her ability to safely glide the model without engine power to a position where a landing

approach can be executed.


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11. Debriefing

It is important to emphasise to the student, once reaching "solo" standard they are now at the basic

minimum requirement standard and to further improve regular, continuous flying practice is essential for

overall enjoyment of the sport. Ensure that the model selected is within students flying capability, and if

in doubt seek the advice of an experienced modeller. Keeping an aircraft in a serviceable and undamaged

condition is directly related to consistency, especially close to the ground. In order to be reliable close to

the ground, regular take-offs or launch, and landings, should be practiced as often as possible, including

both left and right-hand circuits until all responses and reflexes become automatic

Additionally, at all stages of competence, fly within your own limitations. If it is too wind, wait for

another day. If you wish to experiment with something new, do so at a safe height, and importantly, think

it out prior to attempting it. Especially about how you intend to recover from the new manoeuvre should

you foul it up! Learn to walk before you try to run! It helps to keep the aircraft in piece for your

enjoyment.

At the successful completion of the test the latest MAAA Bronze Wings form

(MAAA016) shall be completed by the Instructor and passed onto the DAC

Registrar for processing and then forward to VMAA Chief Flying Instructor.



APPENDIX

1. Dexterity

The pilot must be able to locate (without looking) all the transmitter controls quickly without fumbling.

2. Theory

The pilot must be able to name all major components of the aircraft and define functions, including effect

of controls.

Throttle Adjusts the thrust by engine to

increase or decrease the speed

of the aircraft, and to adjust

the aircraft's altitude.

Elevator Moves the aircraft in the nose-

up/nose-down direction (pitch)

around the lateral axis, and to

adjust the aircraft's airspeed.

Ailerons Banks the aircraft (Roll)) to

either the left or right around

the longitudinal axis.

Secondary effect is adverse

yaw.

Rudder Control rotation (Yaw) of the

aircraft either the left or right

around the vertical axis.

Secondary effect is roll.

Reference http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_control_surfaces

The pilot must have a thorough knowledge of MAAA & DAC safety rules and regulations. Refer to

web which includes the Club Safety Rules and Operating Guidelines.

http://www.dac.org.au/index.php?page_display=Rules_Safety/Rules/Club_Rules.html.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flight_control_surfaces

http://www.dac.org.au/index.php?page_display=Rules_Safety/Rules/Club_Rules.html



2. Theory – DAC Field layout



6. Procedure Turns (One in each direction)



7. Figure Eight (Inward or Outward)



8a. Landing Circuits (Anti-clockwise)



8b. Landing Circuits (Clockwise)



... Circuits



... Aerobatics (Far edge of runway used as centre line)



... 3D Flying (Exclusion Zone)



... Pattern Flying (Solo ONLY)



... 2.4GHz Installation

dac flight training and test introduction · look out for potential hazards before flying? ......

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