THE 'A' CERTIFICATE
(SILENT FLIGHT - ELECTRIC)
The
examination for the electric ‘A’ Certificate may be taken on
application to any Registered Club Examiner or Chief Examiner. The
candidate must successfully carry out the following test and it is
expected that you will take the test with a glider type model.
(a)
Carry out pre-flight checks as required by the BMFA Safety Codes.
Particular attention should be given to airframe, control linkages and
surfaces.
(b) After complying with the site frequency control
system, prepare the model for launch. The motor start and stop
switch/speed controller sequence must be demonstrated to the examiner
(c)
Check that the launch area and landing area are clear both on the
ground and in the air. If a helper is used to launch the model they
should be fully briefed as to what is required.
(d) Clearly
announce, “launching” and launch the model under full control. Any
deviation from the expected launch path must be corrected smoothly and
quickly. Climb to approximately 100m. Switch off power and transition
to glide without stalling.
From this point on, power must not be used.
(e) Stall the model into wind and recover smoothly with a minimum loss of height.
(f)
Perform 3 consecutive 360 degree thermal turns to the right or left
ending on the same heading as the entry with minimum loss of height.
The turns should be under control with no tendency to stall or enter a
spiral dive.
(g) Perform 3 consecutive 360 degree thermal
turns in the opposite direction to above ending on the same heading as
the entry with minimum loss of height. The turns should be under
control with no tendency to stall or enter a spiral dive.
From this point on, power should be used as required.
(h)
Fly the model up wind to prepare the model for the overshoot/landing
phase. The model should be flown with no tendency to stall and with
minimum loss of height.
(i) Call “landing” and prepare the model for a landing with a down wind leg, followed by a base leg and final approach.
(j)
Overshoot from below 10 ft and climb back to circuit height. Note that
this manoeuvre is an aborted landing, not a low pass.
(k) Again, call “landing” and prepare the model for a landing with a down wind leg, followed by a base leg and final approach.
(l) Land the model into wind within 2O metres of a predetermined spot.
(m) Retrieve the model from the landing area, informing other pilots that the landing area is clear.
(n) Complete post-flight checks required by the BMFA Safety Codes.
(o) Repeat the above schedule a second time, giving a total of two flights.
In
addition to the flying schedule, the candidate must answer correctly a
minimum of five questions on safety matters, based on the BMFA Safety
Codes for General Flying and local flying rules, at least two of which
must be specific to electric flight.
All manoeuvres must be
carried out in airspace pre- determined by the Examiner and Candidate
prior to the commencement of the test flights.
The above
complete two-flight schedule is treated as one test attempt. Two
attempts per examination will be allowed in any one day.