Suggested Flight Instruction Sequence

[WJCJR1]

This is a a high-level overview of the Basic Flight Instruction training sequence HRF recommends;


Introduction to Airplane and control systems,

Explanation of rules: flight lines and instructor takes flight control at any time.

Level Flight,

Turn Entry,

Turn Exits,

Level Flight in all orientations i.e Left, Right, Flying Away, Flying Towards

Figure Eight Patterning Turns,

Taking Off,

Quiz Flight involving all above instructional sessions.

Landing,

Roll,

Loop,

Inverted Flight

I will be adding subsequent posts to offer guidance to these topics. If any guidance is needed before I get it posted please shout many people here to offer a helping hand.

[bassfisher]

Looks like a good sequence, it is almost the same as I teach. I like the fact that you included unusual attitudes. Usually by the third to fourth flight, I have my students doing unusual attitude recoveries to get them over the nervousness. Too many instructors fail to teach someone how to get out of a situation where the plane is doing funky things.

[phantomphan]

Hey guys, thought Id share what I pretty much teach by. Please see attached.

The list isnt all inclusive because some things just happen naturaly during pre-flight, flying, post flight or just hanging out.

One thing I do backwards, of most instructors I think, is I teach people to land before I teach them to take off. Reason is that in case I have a froggy student they have a chance at landing their plane in one piece if they decided to go it alone.

Cheers.

[ATIS]

good point on the landings...CaptFred has proven to be a good student so I am not worried about him going at it alone but I have had others that worried me.

[phantomphan]

Yep, I know too well what you mean. I have been lucky to have really good students also.
This idea/tip came about from another instructor I knew of a couple years back.

[liquid1]

Hey guys, Great info..James I still have a ways to go after almost bombing my apprentice into the field last outing..Yes its hard not to get froggy and go it along :happy bounce: But then reality sets in..::yell:: And I feel my wife slapping me silly when I bring the Plane in all torn up..This is why I have a Monster truck and Heli :clapping:Kinda helps curve the edge of Bombing one of my planes into the ground..Thanks for all you folks help and do..Its much appreciated that theres Instructors out there there are willing to have the patients and control and take time to help us Noobies..Heres to ya..:thumbsup::)

[WJCJR1]

One thing I do backwards, of most instructors I think, is I teach people to land before I teach them to take off. Reason is that in case I have a froggy student they have a chance at landing their plane in one piece if they decided to go it alone.

Cheers.

Hello James, this is a most interesting training technique. I can see and understand your philosophy and applied selectively I can see it's benefit.

I however have made it clear to all my students I am available as often as humanly possible and if they want to fly we will go together and NO flying alone without an instructor (doesn't HAVE to be me) until we are through the training regimen. I have not had a student who showed up wanting to learn refuse the suggestion yet and all have turned out great. Without doubt a few who have decided to not join the hobby after piling planes and not wanting to learn the slower way never took me up on the training and it may be in part to the demand we follow this criteria, that was not a feedback I received but it may have been a factor.

If someone has previous R/C experience and/or has the ability to capture orientatation easily we can be through the above listed training in under 4 hours. Four -1- hour flying/training sessions and you'll be landing on your own, in my opinion if 4 hours is too long to wait your dedication level to this hobby and safety thereof would make me uncomfortable. Only so many planes can get crashed into people's car(s), house(s) etc. before more and more ordinances go in place.

It is very awesome indeed though to see how friendly, helpful and open almost every pilot is at the airfield(s). In addition the comradery between instructors, students and us flying buddies as a whole is terrific. Thank-You James, Phantomphan, for all the good you do in promoting the hobby and especially the help and joy you have provided for 10 years as an instructor! :clapping:

Wayne

[WJCJR1]

Hey guys, Great info..James I still have a ways to go after almost bombing my apprentice into the field last outing..Yes its hard not to get froggy and go it along :happy bounce: But then reality sets in..::yell:: And I feel my wife slapping me silly when I bring the Plane in all torn up..This is why I have a Monster truck and Heli :clapping:Kinda helps curve the edge of Bombing one of my planes into the ground..Thanks for all you folks help and do..Its much appreciated that theres Instructors out there there are willing to have the patients and control and take time to help us Noobies..Heres to ya..:thumbsup::)

Nearly all my students have been exactly like you Liquid1 and have accepted the notion of respect for the model and it going home in one piece is good. The training process I go through I really do try to hit upon the fact you can hurt someone if you aren't careful and this same respect tranfers, I believe, into seriously assessing your ability and speaking up and asking for help when you are not comfortable. I still land my latest student's T-34 Mentor, he's getting close to landing it but understands and respects (as you do) the boundaries of his comfort zone and the consequences that come from violating them.

Good going Liquid1!

Wayne

[rcdude07]

One thing I do backwards, of most instructors I think, is I teach people to land before I teach them to take off. Reason is that in case I have a froggy student they have a chance at landing their plane in one piece if they decided to go it alone.

Cheers.


I agree with this approach to training a new pilot. My dad taught me how to land well before I learned to take off. Because after all, "Taking off is optional. Landing is mandatory."

[WJCJR1]

Makes sense it does, but I like to hold the students hostage I guess.. ::cheerful:: ::very happy:: :laughing: :yes:

Wayne

Disclaimer: Nobody take that statement seriously please.

[WingingIt74]

Makes sense it does, but I like to hold the students hostage I guess.. ::cheerful:: ::very happy:: :laughing: :yes:

Wayne

Disclaimer: Nobody take that statement seriously please.

Here is Wayne's last hostage...er....student::tonguee:


:RC_Plane_Red:
http://jasonjeffrey.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/favre-hostage.jpg?w=700

[phantomphan]

Thanks Wayne, I wasnt expecting that big pat on the back. Dont know what to say...thanks. I was just noticing that we have several instructors here and thought itd be fun to share ideas on technique, protocol, etc..

In general I can usually get someone with no experience signed off in about 12 hours if their serious. Thats someone with no stick time or a Sim to speed the process.

Of course we all have had students that just dont understand why the schedule is the way it is and just want their instant gratification. Or guys that wont do their homework and dont want to put any effort in it. Ive got so many stories its not funny. I mean, I had a guy once that couldnt even manage to show up with his Rx battery charged. :laughing:

Im really loving the DX7 that liquid1 has. Theres a trainer option in it that doesnt require the DX5 to be synced at all in terms of trim. It may not even matter what the DX5's Sx norm/rev positions are. The DX7 masters everything and so its really just a plug and play deal. Pretty slick.