Guidelines for New Members Requiring Flight Instruction

TRAINING Coordinator and Lead Instructor - David Keller Send text to (678) 898-4928

It is our goal to help provide you with an instructor who will work with you in learning to safely fly your aircraft. Please remember though that the club's officers and instructors are volunteers! No one is being paid to take time to assist you, and by AMA rules they are not allowed to accept any form of payment or gratuity. While the club would like for you to become a participating member as well as a safe pilot, the ultimate burden for becoming successfully trained lies squarely at your feet. To get started, text me at (678) 898-4928. Together, we can work out a training plan for you.

Consequently, you must be proactive in calling to ask for an instructor. Just paying your dues and then waiting for someone to contact you is not going to get you out to the field. Also, showing up at the field and hoping someone there will take the time to help you will also not work. This practice is actually discouraged, because while some members may be willing to help, they may not have the expertise or background to do so safely. You need to make contact with an instructor, set up a formal training plan, and then stick to it. A student pilot must furnish his/her own aircraft, accessories, and radio gear for training. Due to noise restrictions, turbine powered aircraft, and gas/glow powered aircraft without an effective muffler, are not allowed at our field.

All new members ask the question, "How long will it take for me to learn?" The answer though is far from simple. I have seen a new flyer become proficient enough to solo in as little as three or four 15-minute flights. There have also been instances where a person never really learned to fly safely without a backup instructor. You can learn to solo a full-scale aircraft in 10 flight hours. It will take a little less time to learn to fly a model aircraft for a person with no previous experience, but not much. Keep in mind that this means up to 30 or 40 15-minute flights. Typically you can get in an hour of flying per trip to the field so count on at least 7 to 10 visits to the field. It is also important to realize that the more you spread out the trips the more you repeat the previous lesson and the longer it will take. If you are going to get started, plan to get out at least once per week for 2 to 3 hours each and every week. Also keep in mind that you are asking a volunteer instructor to do the same.

Guidelines for Signing Off a New Member as Qualified

Upon successful completion of pilot qualification, you will be given the code for main gate access. Please lock the gate behind you, if you are the last person leaving the field.

Gas or Electric Powered Aircraft With Landing Gear

Qualification will be granted when a student pilot can successfully take-off his/her aircraft.
Perform traffic pattern flight, and land his/her aircraft to a full stop with the engine running, three times in succession.
Demonstrate the ability to fly a right-hand, left-hand, and figure eight traffic pattern without gaining or losing more than 50 feet in altitude.
All flights must be accomplished without the aid of a buddy box or any assistance other than a spotter pointing out potential safety issues.
During the flight the student pilot must demonstrate full control of the aircraft.

Gas or Electric Powered Aircraft Without Landing Gear

Qualification will be granted when a student pilot can successfully hand launch his/her aircraft without assistance (exceptions to the unassisted hand launch may be made for youthful members).
Perform traffic pattern flight, and land his/her aircraft within an area designated by the instructor pilot.
Demonstrate the ability to fly a right-hand, left-hand, and figure eight traffic pattern without gaining or losing more than 50 feet in altitude.
Three flights in succession must be made
All flights must be accomplished without the aid of a buddy box or any assistance other than a spotter pointing out potential safety issues.
During the flight the student pilot must demonstrate full control of the aircraft.

Gliders

Qualification will be granted when a student pilot can successfully launch his/her plane utilizing a winch, high-start, or discus style hand launch.
The student pilot must then safely maneuver his/her aircraft and land it within an area designated by the instructor pilot.
Three flights in succession must be made.
Three flights in succession must be made
All flights must be accomplished without the aid of a buddy box or any assistance other than a spotter pointing out potential safety issues.
During the flight the student pilot must demonstrate full control of the aircraft.