Flight Test

Shanes · 06-13-2012, 04:01 PM

Hiya,
I'm going to have a flight test to earn my 'wings' at a local flying club. Any ideas as to what to practice? What skills/maneuvers are typically on these tests?
Thanks!

Spork01 · 06-13-2012, 04:32 PM

cant run , if you havent learned to walk.

first is to hover upright in all orientations. then inverted hover in all orientations.

you get these down everything else is a piece of cake

FFF_Ferret · 06-13-2012, 05:11 PM

Hey Shanes,

You should report back about what they tested. I'd be curious to know what they consider essential skills!

Shanes · 06-13-2012, 05:19 PM

Eeeek! Inverted I've never done. Don't feel drawn to it just now either! Can hover all 4 orientations - practice figure 8s?
Will report back. Test maybe next week.
Proper figure 8 is what?
Best,
S

FFF_Ferret · 06-13-2012, 07:04 PM

Can't believe they'd make you go inverted to pass their test. That would be a pretty exclusionary rule. I bet they just want to make sure you fly safely and can keep your heli from hurting anyone.

(But yes, that's the best progression, once you do go inverted: orientation is the base of everything. It takes a long time to get comfortable with all of them. At least it's that way for me.)

SQRT(-2) · 06-13-2012, 08:14 PM

I would think how you work in the pit would be very important. It seems to me most injuries occur when people are working on and starting models.

If you don't earn your wings, they will probably just make you fly with someone who is experienced until you are ready.

Shanes · 06-14-2012, 07:16 PM

Good thoughts gentlemen. Many thanks.
Turns out no actual protocol for heli flying. A very rigorous schooling for planes to earn your wings.
Did first flight today at club after being told to buddy up with experienced heli pilots to show I am not a lunatic.

I am a late beginner. Safety-conscious for sure. People at the flying club have been beyond generous with knowledge and expertise.

I feel a long way from inverted! Happy to hover and zoom around upright.

Best,
S

SQRT(-2) · 06-14-2012, 07:33 PM

That is how it is at my club. A program for plane guys, but for heli guys an experienced heli guy has to vouch for you. Just an 'Yup, he's not a madman.' and you are OK. Guess there is an advantage for being an minority in the hobby. It is not worth it for them to devote time to develop a program for the few heli guys they get.

Shanes · 06-25-2012, 04:43 PM

They are formalizing it for helis at my club. Flight test will include hovers in all 4 orientations over a set mark while maintaining height during controlled turns. Also figure 8s.
My test in a couple of weeks. Praying hard. Am sure there will be forward flight stuff at higher speeds too.
Best,
S

06-13-2012, 04:01 PM	#1
Shanes Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ottawa, Canada	Flight Test Hiya, I'm going to have a flight test to earn my 'wings' at a local flying club. Any ideas as to what to practice? What skills/maneuvers are typically on these tests? Thanks!

06-13-2012, 04:32 PM	#2
Spork01 Registered Users Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Orlando, FL	cant run , if you havent learned to walk. first is to hover upright in all orientations. then inverted hover in all orientations. you get these down everything else is a piece of cake __________________ Trex 450 Pro V2 FB spartan quark trex 250 beastx Fusion 50 beastX

06-13-2012, 05:11 PM	#3
FFF_Ferret Registered Users Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pacifica, CA	Hey Shanes, You should report back about what they tested. I'd be curious to know what they consider essential skills! __________________ Blade NanoCPx Walkera V120D02s T-Rex 450 Pro V2 (iKon FBL, Castle Ice Lite 50) DX8

06-13-2012, 07:04 PM	#5
FFF_Ferret Registered Users Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pacifica, CA	Can't believe they'd make you go inverted to pass their test. That would be a pretty exclusionary rule. I bet they just want to make sure you fly safely and can keep your heli from hurting anyone. (But yes, that's the best progression, once you do go inverted: orientation is the base of everything. It takes a long time to get comfortable with all of them. At least it's that way for me.) __________________ Blade NanoCPx Walkera V120D02s T-Rex 450 Pro V2 (iKon FBL, Castle Ice Lite 50) DX8

06-13-2012, 08:14 PM	#6
SQRT(-2) Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbia MO USA	I would think how you work in the pit would be very important. It seems to me most injuries occur when people are working on and starting models. If you don't earn your wings, they will probably just make you fly with someone who is experienced until you are ready. __________________ Gaui Hurricane 425 FBL with Robird G31 500 Class Rocks! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EFlight Blade 450 3D, Walkera Super CP Walkera Devo 10 w/ Deviation

06-13-2012, 05:19 PM	#4
Shanes Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ottawa, Canada	Eeeek! Inverted I've never done. Don't feel drawn to it just now either! Can hover all 4 orientations - practice figure 8s? Will report back. Test maybe next week. Proper figure 8 is what? Best, S

06-14-2012, 07:16 PM	#7
Shanes Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ottawa, Canada	Good thoughts gentlemen. Many thanks. Turns out no actual protocol for heli flying. A very rigorous schooling for planes to earn your wings. Did first flight today at club after being told to buddy up with experienced heli pilots to show I am not a lunatic. I am a late beginner. Safety-conscious for sure. People at the flying club have been beyond generous with knowledge and expertise. I feel a long way from inverted! Happy to hover and zoom around upright. Best, S

06-14-2012, 07:33 PM	#8
SQRT(-2) Registered Users Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbia MO USA	That is how it is at my club. A program for plane guys, but for heli guys an experienced heli guy has to vouch for you. Just an 'Yup, he's not a madman.' and you are OK. Guess there is an advantage for being an minority in the hobby. It is not worth it for them to devote time to develop a program for the few heli guys they get. __________________ Gaui Hurricane 425 FBL with Robird G31 500 Class Rocks! To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. EFlight Blade 450 3D, Walkera Super CP Walkera Devo 10 w/ Deviation

06-25-2012, 04:43 PM	#9
Shanes Registered Users Thread Starter Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Ottawa, Canada	They are formalizing it for helis at my club. Flight test will include hovers in all 4 orientations over a set mark while maintaining height during controlled turns. Also figure 8s. My test in a couple of weeks. Praying hard. Am sure there will be forward flight stuff at higher speeds too. Best, S

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