Flight School 'Go/No-go' status is sent via email to students around 3pm.
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Click here to register for FLIGHT SCHOOL.
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Welcome to Flight School!
Stetson Flight School has experienced instructors who will help you develop the skills and knowledge needed to fly radio-controlled model aircraft.
The Stetson RC Flyers club belongs to the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC) and requires that all members do likewise. This ensures that we are protected by adequate liability insurance, operate within a strict safety code and comply with all applicable government regulations.
Stetson Flight School gets under way at the beginning of May, when the field dries out and the weather improves, and runs till late September, when sunset gets too early for evening flying.
Ground School
The first evening of Flight School is devoted to Ground School. Key topics include Transport Canada regulations, MAAC Safety Code and Club Rules. These matters will be stressed throughout the Flight School experience and students will be tested on them before they can earn their Wings.
Ground school will also touch on the technical side of RC flying, such as aircraft, control systems, batteries, and equipment. We will also discuss the training process and introduce you to the field layout. So please make every effort to get off to a good start by attending this session.
Ground School 2023 will be held on Tuesday, May 2 at the Stetson flying field, starting at 18:00.
Flight Training
Regular Flight School sessions are held on Tuesday evenings, starting at 16:30 and running until about 30 minutes before sunset. Regular flying at the field is suspended for this period. The first regular session of Flight School 2023 is tentatively planned for Tuesday, May 9, depending on weather and field conditions.
The weather outlook for Flight School will be posted on this website and on the Club Facebook page the night before. Confirmation (or cancellation) will be by direct email to students by noon on the day of Flight School. When weather is unsuitable for to flying, Flight School will be deferred to later in the week.
Students are encouraged to come as early as they can, and to put in as much flying time as they can manage. There is no substitute for time on the transmitter sticks.
To provide more flying time, there will be at least one additional informal Flight School session each week. We also encourage individual students and instructors to get together outside Flight School.
Students are not permitted to fly at the Stetson field except under direct supervision.
At the culmination of your training, you will be required you to demonstrate your skill in flying basic maneuvers to one of the club’s qualified examiners. In addition, you will be required to pass a written knowledge test. On successful completion, you will be awarded your Wings and be allowed full use of the Stetson flying field.
Trainer Aircraft and Equipment
As a Flight School student, you will need your own aircraft and equipment for training. It’s important that you have a properly designed basic trainer that has suitable flight characteristics and is tough and easily repairable. Stetson Flight School recommends two aircraft:
- E-Flite Apprentice STS: This 1.5m wingspan model has long been a mainstay of RC flight training.
- HobbyZone AeroScout: A newer, smaller (1.1m) and less expensive trainer.
Both these models use Spektrum radio control equipment.It is strongly recommended that you purchase the RTF (Ready to Fly) version, which includes a basic DXS transmitter at a major discount. Other trainers and RC systems, including used versions of these models, may be available, but it is highly advisable to check with Flight School to determine their suitability.
Training requires two compatible radios to enable dual instruction. The master transmitter used by the instructor actually controls the aircraft, while the student has a second radio (such as the DXS that comes with the RTF trainer). The two radios are linked either wirelessly or (for older equipment) by cable.
Flight School has a number of radios which can be loaned to students as part of a pair.
To ensure your self-sufficiency, however, you may wish to purchase a modern, fully programmable transmitter, such as the Spektrum DX6e or NX8, to serve as master radio. You will need such a radio when you achieve Pilot status and progress to having more than one model active at a time.
Pairing up radios for training can be a complicated matter. That’s why we ask you to let us know what equipment you already have (if any) and to talk to us before you make any further purchases.
Three batteries are the minimum requirement if you are to put in a reasonable amount of flight time at each session. Using the maximum size battery (3300 3s for Apprentice, 2200 3s for AeroScout), this will give you about 30 minutes total flying.
Finally, an RC Flight simulator such as Real Flight or Phoenix (now available free online) can greatly assist with some aspects of training, but only if used regularly and seriously.
Transport Canada Requirements
Radio-controlled model aircraft are now treated as “drones” by Transport Canada and thus are subject to Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations. Consequently, to fly independently you must possess a Transport Canada Pilot Certificate (Basic). This requires you to pass an on-line multiple-choice test covering a range of aviation topics. It’s not difficult, but it does require preparation. As well, all models weighing 250g or more must be registered to be allowed to fly.
For Flight School students, this means that from the start of training your aircraft must be registered with Transport Canada and you must maintain a flight and maintenance log. Before you are allowed to fly solo, take the flight test for your Stetson Wings and graduate from Flight School, you must have acquired a Transport Canada Pilot Certificate. We'll provide further information at Flight School.
MAAC is working with Transport Canada to obtain an exemption from these specific rules, but for the time being we have to live with them.
Nigel Chippindale, Chief Flying Instructor
Contact: CFI@StetsonFlyers.com
