A test

[dszabo]

Congratulations Gavlar past his 'A' test yesterday. Well done mate.

[Pj1969]

Well done Gav, burgers on you at the weekend mate!!

[james_2k]

What does an A test mean exactly? Is it related to aerobatic performance or general flying?

I've passed my ATPL test but not really the same

[Pj1969]

BMFA "A" Certificate

The BMFA achivement scheme provides a standardised method of assessing model flying competancy and is available for a variety of model flying disciplines (planes, helicopters, gliders) and at a range of levels.

If you are interested in completing any of these achievements you can get all the fine details from the BMFA here: http://www.bmfa.org/achievement/index.html

The A certificate

The baseline achievement is the A certificate. This is essentially a test that you are able to fly in reasonable control and in a safe manner.

CDMAC uses this achievement as the minimum requirement for members to fly independently. That is not to say you cannot fly with us without it just that you must have someone watching out for you until you are capable.

Specifically the test will include a selection questions selected by the club examiner, these can be based on anything from the BMFA handbook or the club rules. Note that you may be expected to know about rules that may not currently affect you such as the maximum weight model you can fly before having to involve the Large Model Association (LMA). While you are not expected to be able to quote every page of the BMFA handbook a knowladge of the content will be expected. Being unable to answer these questions will prevent you achieving your A certificate, however good your flying.

The test flight consists of:

Carry out pre-flight checks as required by the BMFA safety codes.
Take off and complete a left (or right) hand circuit and overfly the take-off area.
Fly a "figure of eight" course with the cross-over in front of the pilot, height to be constant.
Fly a rectangular circuit and approach with appropriate use of the throttle and perform a landing on the designated landing area.Take off and complete a left (or right) hand circuit and overfly the take-off area.
Fly a rectangular circuit at a constant height in the opposite direction to the landing circuit in (d) above.
Perform a simulated deadstick landing with the engine at idle, beginning at a safe height (approx. 200 feet) heading into wind over the take-off area, the landing to be made in a safe manner on the designated landing area.
Remove model and equipment from the take-off/landing area.
Complete post-flight checks as required by the BMFA Safety Codes.
It is not expected that these maneuvers be performed perfectly, this test is not for aerobatic excellence. Rather you must be able to demonstrate control while you perform this routine. Being able to put the model where you want it (including maintaining a constant-ish altitude) rather than where it wants to go.

[Gavalar]

Thanks Dean now to practice for the b test.

[trillian]

Congrats Gav!

[waveydavey]

Well done Gav

[Mike Sanders]

Carry out pre-flight checks as required by the BMFA safety codes.
Take off and complete a left (or right) hand circuit and overfly the take-off area.
Fly a "figure of eight" course with the cross-over in front of the pilot, height to be constant.
Fly a rectangular circuit and approach with appropriate use of the throttle and perform a landing on the designated landing area.Take off and complete a left (or right) hand circuit and overfly the take-off area.
Fly a rectangular circuit at a constant height in the opposite direction to the landing circuit in (d) above.
Perform a simulated deadstick landing with the engine at idle, beginning at a safe height (approx. 200 feet) heading into wind over the take-off area, the landing to be made in a safe manner on the designated landing area.

This is the A test for fixed wing aeroplanes. The test for helicopters is different.

[kylelnsn]

Well done!