Flight School Overview

Welcome to Flight School 2024

Learning to fly a radio-controlled model aircraft is comparable to the challenge of flying a full-size plane. Not only do you have to develop the skills of piloting the aircraft, but you also need to learn the rules of safety as well as those of courtesy to ensure that your flying doesn’t clash with others. You must also learn about planes and their maintenance, including the electronics. And nowadays we have Transport Canada regulations that we need to satisfy to ensure that we can continue to enjoy our hobby.

Our experienced instructors and regular training sessions will help you develop the necessary skills and knowledge. Stetson Flight School runs on Tuesday evenings from May, when the field dries out and the weather improves, and runs till late September, when sunset comes too early for evening flying.

Flight School is open only to Stetson Flyers club members, but we are happy to welcome visitors to the field and to answer any questions. If you contact us in advance, we should be able to arrange a demonstration flight with dual instruction to allow you to sample the experience.

The Stetson RC Flyers club requires that all members belong to the Model Aeronautics Association of Canada (MAAC). This ensures that we are protected by adequate liability insurance, operate within a strict safety code, and comply with all applicable government regulations. By default, you are classified as Student by MAAC. The Stetson Flight School exists to enable you develop the skills and knowledge to move from Student to Pilot status.

R/C flying can be enjoyed by all kinds of people. Our students typically range in age from 8 to 80. Motivated young people can do particularly well as pilots (with logistical support from a parent)..

Ground School

Before regular Flight School sessions start, a one-evening Ground School will be provided. This year it will be on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, starting at 18:30, at the Pat Clark Community Centre, 4355 Halmont Drive, Gloucester.

 Need to update this date for 2025 

Key topics include Transport Canada Regulations, MAAC Safety Code and Club Rules. We will also discuss the training process and what you need to get started. So please make every effort to get your training off to a good start by attending this session. (If you can’t make it, all these essential topics will be covered throughout Flight School training, but it’s good to get them from the beginning.).

Flight Training

Regular Flight School sessions are held on Tuesday evenings, starting at 16:30 and running until about 30 minutes before sunset. Other flying at the field is suspended for this period.

Each Monday evening, Flight School students will be contacted by email with a report on the next day’s weather outlook. Confirmation (or cancellation) of the session will be issued on the day of Flight School. When the weather is unsuitable for flying, Flight School may be deferred to Wednesday evening.

To provide more flying time, we will aim for at least one additional informal Flight School session each week, usually early on Saturday or Sunday morning. We also encourage individual students and instructors to get together outside Flight School to put in more practice time.

Students are only permitted to fly at the Stetson field under direct supervision. At the culmination of your training, you will be required to demonstrate to one of the club’s qualified examiners your skill in flying basic maneuvers. In addition, you will be required to pass a written knowledge test and to have acquired a Transport Canada Pilot license (see below). On successful completion of the requirements, you will be awarded your Wings and be allowed full use of these 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, is tough and easily repairable, and meets Flight School requirements, as well as a radio that supports dual instruction. Most R/C models are NOT suitable trainers and do NOT meet Flight School requirements.

For more information on recommended trainers and equipment, see the document “Getting Started in R/C Flying” available on this website. We strongly recommend that before you purchase a plane, radio, or other equipment, you read this document carefully. If you have any questions, we are here to help. See contact below..

Transport Canada Requirements

Radio-controlled model aircraft and their support are considered by Transport Canada as “remotely piloted aircraft systems” (RPAS) and thus are subject to Part IX of the Canadian Aviation Regulations. To fly independently you must possess a Transport Canada RPAS Pilot Certificate (Basic or Advanced). 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, you must register any model weighing 250g or more before it is 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. However, since your training will be supervised by an instructor, you don’t have to pass the Transport Canada pilot test until you are well advanced in the process.

Come join us for the experience of learning to fly (while keeping your feet on the ground). Places are limited, so don’t wait too long.

Nigel Chippindale, Chief Flying Instructor

Contact: CFI@StetsonFlyers.com