BMFA Certification

[Astronobaldo]

Hi all,

I just saw Mark's post about his nice achievement passing on his 'A' test (congratulation Mark).

What are the requirements to get the 'B' level? I mean is it something a beginner should worry about it? Is that required to join a club / flight in public / insurance for example ? If so when we know we have the skills to pass on this 'B' test?

(I don't have insurance yet ... but it is definitely something I'm looking at the moment. I'm just waiting to find a club near my home so I can join both together)

Cheers,

[Tom Burgess]

Hi there,

The A test comes before the B test. If you have a look on the BMFA site there is a list of the requirements. Some clubs do indeed insist on an A before you can fly solo.

Hmm, all this talk of certification makes me think I should get mine

[Ayrobat]

Hi

Here's a link to the BMFA B Cert. guidance notes >Clicky<

and the A Cert. >Clicky<

HTH

Pete

[philiphenderson]

Hi all,

I just saw Mark's post about his nice achievement passing on his 'A' test (congratulation Mark).

What are the requirements to get the 'B' level? I mean is it something a beginner should worry about it? Is that required to join a club / flight in public / insurance for example ? If so when we know we have the skills to pass on this 'B' test?

(I don't have insurance yet ... but it is definitely something I'm looking at the moment. I'm just waiting to find a club near my home so I can join both together)

Cheers,

If you've models like a 500 I would like to think you have some kind of insurance already. You can join directly with the BMFA without going through a club.

Phil.

[Astronobaldo]

If you've models like a 500 I would like to think you have some kind of insurance already. You can join directly with the BMFA without going through a club.

Phil.

Thanks Phil ... I've got Trex 500 but never flown it yet I'm still using my blade 400 until I get more skills.

I'll get my insurance sorted out really soon

cheers,

[philiphenderson]

Thanks Phil ... I've got Trex 500 but never flown it yet I'm still using my blade 400 until I get more skills.

I'll get my insurance sorted out really soon

cheers,

Nice one.

Phil.

[Big A]

Hi

Here's a link to the BMFA B Cert. guidance notes >Clicky<

and the A Cert. >Clicky<

HTH

Pete

There are some updated versions due any time now.

The A and B tests are generally purely a voluntary thing, they are a measure of personal achievement, you do not "need" them, (I would suggest unlike insurance, even with a blade 400), However the A is at a good level to equate to safe to fly solo and as such some clubs use it for that, the B is at such a level to equate to safe to fly in public and many show and comp organiser use it as the minimum (must stress minimum) required for entry.

[Tim Procter]

The A test comes before the B test.

With that said you can go straight for your "B" Test without passing the "A" Test first if you think you are able to pass it.

You (as far as I know) need 2 examiners to take your "B" Test where as just 1 examiner can take your "A" Test.

If I am wrong I'm sure I will be corrected in due course.

[Steve]

Both the A test and the B test are very good at teaching you discipline in your flying and doing them as early as possible during your flying career can help you loads in the future. Most people become 'handed' with their flying and only like to fly on their left hand side or right hand side, or they only do circuits one way round, or they'll only hover side-on one way around etc etc.

Being able to pass the B test means you have to practice all the moves both ways round so you have to be able to control the heli in all upright orientations and on both sides, so it's good practice and will stand you on good ground for learning the more fancy stuff later on.

I'm practising the B at the moment and hope to do it later this year. I've never done the A and have been flying helis for 6 or 7 years now, and have just learnt to avoid putting the heli into those positions where I'm not comfortable with it = staying in my comfort zone. Practising the B has made me challenge these inadequacies in my basic flying skills and can only do me good for the future.

The B test will be changing slightly on 1st May. The two pirouetting manoeuvres are being replaced by a single 4 point piro with a landing at each corner point. This is the routine I am practising.

[mark lane]

Good expenation there Manager!

I am going to invest a good deal of flying and revision this summer to get my B.

I'm confident that with practice i should be fine with the flying althogh i have become a little "handed" as you say so need to work that out of my flying.

I should really be more disciplined and follow a more progressive learning curve... I.e i can fly some mild 3D moves and am now comfortable inverted nose in (at height) but this will progress little if i don't work on flying happily in all the oriantations i am currently uneasy in.

For me the "B" should be a way of guiding my flying in the right direction.

Tell you what though.... won't be doing it at a fly in in front of half the pilots in the country like i did with the "A"!!!!! bloody S**T my self!!