The Rookie's Corner

(Updated Dec 19, 2011)

This page is dedicated to the newest members of the club (and future members in any club) to share how they are transitioning from student pilot to flying members. Since everyone must be new at some point and then train, why not share what they are experiencing as they go through the training. Also, the length of training is based on availability of the instructor and ability to master the requirements as TV Flyers are very serious about flight safety for pilots, spectators, and aircrafts.

Recently (July 2011) two new members have come into the club and joined. Both required training where one trains during the week and the other on the weekend. One came in mid July and the other in September.

Training was somewhat similar to a point of actual flight training. It is structured which can be a challenged to some and a blessing to others. In the opinion of the student pilot, it is more difficult to fly RC since you cannot see out the cockpit and have a frame of reference to make adjustments. Having to follow the aircraft while standing on the ground, checking the attitude of flight, trying to orient yourself to the aircraft as you try to fly the "race track" pattern, remembering to manipulate the control sticks correctly (one way when the nose is going away from you and opposite when the nose is facing you) would produce some interesting tense moments between the student and the instructor.

July, 2011
One member's perspective as he became a member of AMA and then the club. Training began almost immediately. He was able to come out MWF in July for a couple of weeks but had to switch to Saturdays in August as he had to go back to work (he was not happy)!! He began the training process with his flight instructor where they reviewed the equipment, training syllabus, requirements, and then began to fly that same first day.

Both new members began their training with the two training aircraft of the club. This created a problem for the July join as he would fly one and then switch to the other due to mechanical issues and back again. Although similar they were different in flight and required a lot of fine tuning while he was learning to fly. Over time both trainers run fine and are consistent and operational.

Focusing on only one of the two trainers, the July student pilot became more confident and began to move more quickly through the syllabus.

As training continued, there were good and bad flights but with each flight confidence developed and ability was becoming evident. One good thing is that he is seeing his flight instructor signing off on the different steps and making headway toward becoming a flying member.

August 2011
During Aug, the July student pilot made a purchase of his first aircraft at the suggestion of one of the senior members in addition to the transmitter. It has taken the student pilot to the middle of September to get his plane ready for flight. With the plane ground tested, air worthy pre-flight, and now three flights completed, he is transitioning to flying it and has begun step 9 of his training.

September 2011
Although it seems like one of the student pilots is taking a long time to qualify (he thinks so as well), there were days where flight training was canc'ed due to mechanical issues, missing training due to mental fatigue, conflicts with students availability, and other issues, you cannot always have 100% perfect conditions all the time. The student pilot remembering this key point when when he was learning to fly many years ago in Houston Hobby and Pearland Airports in Texas.  The other student pilot has been flying most of his adult life. He is using his father Sig Kadet Senior that he built 25 years ago and continues with his training and at times also feel the same.

Both student pilots have had days where they were mentally on top of his game and ready to fly and days where one little mistake ruined it and he would cut off training for the day. You cannot force training and pretend that you can move to the next phase of training without mastery. Although making progress but not as fast as they wanted, both have made the connection that they are not ready to be "kicked out of the nest yet either

October 2011
For both student pilots Oct was a good training month with ups and downs and excellent progress as they continued mastery of the requirements as they progress toward step 8, 9, and 10 (solo flight without the instructor.)

November 2011
The story is coming to the last chapter of flight training and the happy ending. One to the two is beginning to transition to Solo Pilot. He is still under the supervision of the Instructor but is soloing. He made his first solo Nov 11 (how fitting since he is a retired Army Officer). He flys his fatrher's vintage 25 year old Sig Kadet Senior that is still airworthy and looks great as he flys it at the field. The second student pilot is close and working on approaches as he moves toward step 9 (Landings under supervision) and then step 10 where he solos.

Well here we are with Thanksgiving week and one of the two students is no longer a student and has achieved step 11. Although he is still using the training comm link between the transmitters, his instructor is only there as a safety net. The other student pilot is close to making his first landing. He has made several with a Wingo and Slow Stick but not the 182. Again, he is close but neither the instructor nor the student want to make a mistake with the 182. 

December 2011
Well the one student has his wings and is flying on his own. When asked, he was very impressed and would do it all over again. He is confident and happy to fly his father's legacy the Sig Kadet Senior. He is now working on his own second aircraft and getting it ready to fly.

As for the second student pilot, he made his first unassisted landing today (the 19th) and with two weeks off, good weather, he too should be cleared and signed off before returning to work. He just needs back to back days to build up consistency and stick time. 

Although it seems like a long time since July and September; both student pilots feel that have learned alot and believe that they will be bettered that the individual who buys a RTF and tries to teach himself. Although the training may be an overkill for RC Aircraft training, the TV Flyers are dedicated to a safe flying environment.

Both do not want to have their aircraft (Sig Kadet Senior and Black Horse Liberty 182; both with 70 inch wingspans) to have an air mishap. Through our training the goal is to minimize that from happening and extend the service life of both aircraft. Their training is critical and benifical as they move forward to fly projects that will be more complicated and complex.

One has completed step 11, been signed off, and transition to free flying. The other is only at step 10 and working toward 11 and being signed off.

The Two Rookies........ Army and Marine