TRAINING NIGHT ANNOUNCEMENT 2024

Training season officially starts Wednesday March 13, 2024, at 5:00 PM, and will continue every Wednesday until Wednesday, October 30, 2024 (DST expires in early Nov). That is every Wednesday evening from the start to end of daylight savings time.

The goal of flight training is to provide students with the skills to safely prepare a model airplane for flight, take-off, achieve straight and level flight, and land. The Flight Training Manual outlines the material that we focus on during training.   We emphasize safety, flying procedures and etiquette, pre- and post-flight procedures, and field communication.  Students are requested to bring the user manuals for their radios and their planes.

Conducting flight training depends on the weather and extreme weather, wind, or rain may cause cancellation of training for that week.  Training will not occur in rain, nor snow, nor when it is ‘too cold.’  Flight training is offered on a first come, first served basis.  If no instructors are available on a particular night, training will be cancelled.

RECENT GRADUATES

Recently graduated students are encouraged to bring their next ‘step up’ plane to the field for assistance with the maiden flight, and, if required, additional instruction on advanced controls (e.g., learning to use flaps, landing gear, etc.).

For those interested in developing their flying skills, there are instructors available to provide training in basic aerobatics (e.g., loops, rolls, inverted flight, Immelmann, split S, hammer head turns, etc.).  Helicopter flight training is also offered.

CLUB MEMBERS (who are signed off)

Non-students (e.g., signed off club members) are encouraged to help with flight training.  In addition to flight instruction, help is often needed with spotters, assistance with radio and aircraft setup and debugging.  Providing encouragement and advice is always welcomed.  Sometimes first-time visitors come to the field, and it helps to have experienced club members who can make them feel welcome and explain what we do. Non-students (e.g., signed off club members) are permitted to fly during training nights, subject to the discretion of the instructors. Usually, the instructors grant permission, especially for students who have recently graduated. However, experienced pilots should not set up equipment in the west shelter, affecting training operations.  Also do not bring a new plane to the field and expect training operations to shut down for a maiden flight. Do not bring a new engine or turbine to the field for break-in, even at the far end of the runway.  The noise makes it impossible to safely communicate with the students.