Warringah Radio Control Society Incorporated (Incorporated under the Association Incorporation Act 1984)   Flight School

 

CFI (Fixed Wing): CFI (Helicopters):

DAVID MENZIES SHANE AUSTIN

 GUIDE TO PROCEDURES AND TRAINING AT THE BELROSE FIELD

[updated July 2007]

This document arose as a result of meetings on the 25 March, 2002, of MAS qualified Instructors and those intending to do the MAS course, and has since been updated at the request of the Committee and of George Atkinson, the CFI of WRCS.

The protocols listed are not just for Instructors and their students, but for all members to read, understand and observe at our field.

The following two points explain how a member can become a WRCS approved Instructor. Section (3) details the various requirements of uniform instruction and procedures for the WRCS field at Belrose.

1. Becoming a WRCS Approved Instructor

The first step is to discuss your application with the Chief Flying Instructor (CFI). The CFI is the final arbiter of whether you are listed as a WRCS Instructor.  The CFI may be already aware of your flying skills and advise accordingly or request several demonstrations before suggesting taking the next steps.  You will be advised by the CFI that you:
1. Must be a financial member of  WRCS.
2. Be the holder of the MAS issued  Gold  Wings .
3. Must sign a  Prohibited Employment Declaration  Form .
4. Must pass the MAS Instructor’s course.
5. Must pass an annual re-accreditation of your status by the CFI.

If the CFI has regularly observed you flying and instructing then he may just advise you that your re-accreditation was approved.  An MAS Instructor qualification does not automatically qualify a person as a WRCS Instructor.

2. Assisting Instructors

It is recognised that there are members who can assist in Instructing.   It should be noted, however, that Assisting Instructors are only covered for insurance when instructing those with a current FAI card.  However,  WRCS does not authorise in any way non-approved members giving flying instruction and accepts no responsibility for any accidents arising out of such tuition.

Who is Approved?

The CFI will compile two lists.  The first will consist of current MAS qualified persons approved as WRCS Instructors.  Part 2 will be a list of members that the CFI knows, or has been advised, can competently assist in giving flying training and are therefore approved to assist as Instructors under the overriding auspices of the CFI.  The lists are subject to constant review by the CFI. All enquiries should be directed to the CFI.
 

The current CFI (Fixed Wings) is David Menzies and the current CFI (Helicopters) is Shane Austin. The CFI's may from time to time request and authorise other persons to assist the CFI.

3. Student Training (These rules also apply to ALL MEMBERS)

3.01	Frequency controls & pound procedures to be explained. (If you are unsure, ask!).  Frequency  (Fq) key must show name and Fq.  Airworthiness of model to be investigated and approved before flying.  Student to be informed on the vital task of maintaining the airworthiness of the aircraft; checking all hinges, clevises etc. Range checking procedures to be explained and carried out with the model restrained and with and without the motor running.  Models are not to be released with the engine running until all pre flight and range checks have been completed. A function test to be carried out with the model pointing away from the pits and somewhere on the way to the take off point.
3.02	Students to get the feel of the control stick movement by means of hands on with the Instructor for say, two flights, before proceeding to a buddy chord
3.03	All piloting is to be from the flight line.  Aircraft are to be flown in the same circuit, that is, either left turning or right turning.  The direction of take off (into wind) dictates the turning direction.  Eg. Take off to the east results in a right turning circuit.
3.04	Student to be taught Taxiing control and to get control of the model before flying. Student should then be taught to fly straight and parallel to the pit fence and south of the 30 metres boundary.
3.05	The Instructor must impress on the student (this means EVERYONE!) that any take off that veers to the north (that is towards the pits), is to be aborted.  Test student on ability to react and kill the throttle in simulated aborted take offs.
3.06	Impress on all members, not just the student, that no aircraft is to lift off the ground until the plane is past the last pilot on the flight line.  This applies for both directions of takeoff.
3.07	No fixed wing flying is permitted over the Helicopter area and test bench if people are present.
3.08	No flying at any time over the pits. The student to be informed that each pilot is individually responsible to ensure their model is at least 30 metres from any person not directly involved in flying that model, as per CASA regulation.
3.09	At the flight line and prior to proceeding further, the pilot must call for clearance from those pilots already with aircraft in the air. No response - No take off!  Get the clearance by yelling louder or walking closer.  Report to the CFI any member who consistently ignores the call.
3.10	No flying is permitted within the 30 metre zone.  When safe, the Instructor will take the student to the edge of the no fly zone for orientation purposes on landmarks either end of field.  The 30 metre line is the boundary edge between the mowed grass on the field and the long grass.  This line is measured from the inner fence and signed that only pilots and assistants to proceed beyond the fence.
3.11	The club will establish a Bronze wings standard before a member is permitted to fly solo, otherwise an Instructor or Assistant Instructor has to be in attendance.  Bronze Wings only to be awarded after the student has completed 3 approved flights.  The CFI may award the bronze wings without a formal test, based on the CFI’s knowledge or advice as to the ability of the member.
3.12	All existing members who do not have their Gold Wings will have their skills observed and have to apply to the CFI for solo accreditation to ensure that they have achieved an acceptable competency level.
3.13	The blue student log books (from MAS), are not being properly utilised and should be used so that a pupils progress can be sighted by what ever Instructor happens to be  present. Students under instruction  must be recorded in the pound log book
3.14	Large models; multi engines; .pylon racers/high performance; Jets, require the pilot to have the minimum standard of Gold Wings.
3.15	Helicopters must fly full circuits on the main field, if fixed wing planes are flying, or fly in Heli area. No Helicopter is to be flown west of the test stand which is 30 metres from the pits fence, if flown from the Helicopter area.
3.16	Pilots of slow Fun fly type aerobatic models must get clearance to perform shortened circuits and aerobatic manoeuvres if other fixed wing planes are flying circuits.
3.17	No hand launch of any model is to take place at the pilot line unless the direction is at right angles, i.e. south. Otherwise  the pilot must ensure the launcher walks to the 30 metre  boundary and launches parallel or away from the pilot line, but NEVER towards the pilot line.
3.18	Transmitters (Tx) must not be taken on  field trips into the bush or even when recovering a model from the field. If  the model goes down in the bush the Tx is to be returned to the pound and Frequency (Fq) key removed from the  board BEFORE departing for the wilds!
3.19	New models may be initially flown from the field provided the pilot obtains sole usage of the field and the Fq Board is marked accordingly.  A sign for this purpose is kept in the pound tin box.
3.20	When retrieving models on the field clearance must be asked for and granted. The pilot, upon retrieval, must exit at right angles to the field and clear the field as quickly as possible. (not wander in a straight line back to the flight line.)
3.21	All visiting children are to be in the company of and attended by an adult. All dogs are to be leashed.
3.22	Children under 10 years of age are not permitted to fly solo.
3.23	Eligibility for certain fun fly competitions (generally where prizes will be on offer) will be  minimum gold wings standard.
3.24	CFI to be involved in all Gold Wings tests.  All applications to MAS to be submitted by CFI
3.25	The additional positions of Assistant or deputy CFI has been approved and are appointed by the Committee.
3.26	The CFI will be responsible for re accreditation of Instructors each year.
3.27	No mobile phones are permitted in the pits and should not be brought across the bridge.

Remember, we all want to have fun safely.

WRCS Committee 2007.