Safety Issue-during our recent Insurance renewal and application to all fields in India ,the question asked was how do we train flyers and ensure safe model aircraft flying.In keeping with the intent of safe flying AMA would be shortly introducing the 'A' and 'B' certificates in all categories,details of capability for each certificate will be shortly posted on our website.It is likely that in the next aeromodelers meet it would be necessary to have a 'B' certificate to be allowed to participate in a public meet.
Suggestions from experienced aeromodelers invited on the mode of testing/examining to be introduced to award the certificates.
Profficiency Scheme,”A’Certificate and ‘B’Certificate.
The main aim of the schemes is to encourage model flyers to reach a given standard
of flying ability and safety and to prove that standard to an Examiner. There are two grades;
(a)The ‘A’ Certificate which may be equated to a ‘safe solo' standard of flying.
(b) The ‘B’ Certificate which is designed to recognise a more advanced pilot’s increased ability
and knowledge and a demonstrated high level of safety.
In addition, there are endorsements available to the ‘B’ Certificate in various disciplines for those flyers who wish to take their personal flying standards and achievements further.
The examination for an ‘A’ Certificate may be taken on application to AMA office. The candidate must successfully carry out the following flying test and reference to the AMA rules is very strongly recommended:
(b) Take off and complete a left (or right) hand circuit and overfly the take-off area.
(c) Fly a ‘figure of eight’ course with the cross-over point in front of the pilot, height to be constant.
(d) Fly a rectangular circuit and approach with appropriate use of the throttle and perform a landing
on the designated landing area. If the engine stops during the landing ,the model may be retrieved and the engine restarted to enable the remaining parts of the test to be completed.
(e) Take off and complete a left (or right) hand circuit and overfly the take-off area
(f) Fly a rectangular circuit at a constant height in the opposite direction to the landing circuit flown in(d)
Perform a simulated deadstick landing with the engine at idle, beginning at a safe height (approx.
200 ft) heading into wind over the take-off area, the landing to be made in a safe manner on the
designated landing area.
(h) Remove model and equipment from takeoff/landing area.
All manoeuvres must be carried out in front of the pilot, depending on the wind direction.
The above schedule is treated as one test flight and must be completed in one attempt. Two attempts
per examination will be allowed in any one day.You must turn up for the test with a model that is
capable of taking off on its own undercarriage or from a dolly. However, if, in the opinion of the
Examiner, the surface of the flying area is such that a rolling take-off would not be possible, hand
launches may be permitted.In addition to the flying schedule, the candidate must answer correctly a minimum of five questions on safety matters, based on the AMA Safety Codes for General Flying and local flying rules.