Training Program

Doncaster Aeromodellers Club represents a group of modellers committed to safe and enjoyable pursuit of their hobby. As part of this, they are also committed to ensuring all newcomers to the club (or those returning to the hobby after a lengthy absence) undergo comprehensive training and pass a formal 'Solo' test before they are allowed to fly at the field unsupervised. This training covers not only the ability to fly a model, but also the disciplines of preparing and ensuring a model is suitable to fly, and required in using radio control equipment.

Once you have built or assembled the model, and assuming it is a suitable trainee model, it will typically take an hour or so checking and verifying the setup and airworthiness of the model before flying. It will then take between 5 and 10 hours flight time spread over 10 to 20 weeks to obtain your Solo rating - with the time depending on the rate of learning and prevailing weather conditions!

The Club relies on the services (and time) of a number of experienced pilots as authorised Instructors to provide flight training, and currently chooses not to charge for the service. Given these pilots are freely giving of their time, and also like flying their own models, their available time is limited. Flying time for internal combustion power models at Bulleen is also limited to About 5 hours a week on Sundays. Given these two constraints, the Club can only have a limited number of trainees at any given time - and this is usually About 8.

At times of greater demand than training capacity, the Club maintains a waiting list and only adds people to the trainee program when the capacity exists to provide effective training. To be a candidate for flight training at DAC, we have the following requirements:

• The pilot must join the club and, through that, be covered by MAAA Insurance;

• The model must be suitable for a beginner, in good condition, and the equipment installed and setup to the Instructors satisfaction;

• The engine must be muffled, and the engine and propeller combination must come within our noise limits - which typically means a 10.5 x 7 propeller on an OS46LA engine or similar;

• The radio equipment must have current certification, and must be fitted with rechargeable NiCad batteries in sealed packs. The equipment in the plane must have an external on-off switch, and lead for checking the battery condition. You will also need a standard 2-inch frequency key marked clearly with your name and radio transmitter frequency.

A trip to the flying field and discussion with one of the current trainees or experienced pilots will quickly bring you up to speed on what to look for. Alternatively, some retailers are also experienced modellers and will help you assemble and setup models bought from them, and may provide flight training. We endeavour to educate retailers to sell appropriate equipment and help you assemble it correctly - but we do not have control over this and any issues are between yourself and the retailer.

And while the designated instructors will take all due care in preparing your model for flight and assisting you with flight training, and very rarely have incidents, neither they nor the Club take responsibility for any damage that may occur to the model during flight training. We usually use 'buddy boxes' for training and generally train people as Mode 1 flyers, but do have an experienced Mode 2 instructor available.

For further information on the hobby, flight training, radio certification, safety and other important issues please browse the rest of this website. To find other clubs who may be more convenient, or have greater flight training capacity, visit the VMAA web site at www.vmaa.com.au.

Typical Trainer Models

Guide to Flying

Beginner's guide to flying electric aeroplanes.  click here

Flight Simulator

Flying-Model-Simulator (FMS) is freeware, and available for download here.  You can connect your transmitter to the computers audio input (e.g. Microphone socket) using SmartPropoPlus software and audio cable, or purchase a FMS interface cable from you local hobby shop.

*** 07 November, 2011 10:07 PM +1000 ***

Last updated 07 November, 2011

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