BMFA Achievement Scheme

Here To Achieve.........

Now we are all members of the BMFA we will now get their regular newsletter.  In there amongst the many interesting articles and tips on building etc you will find information on the Achievement scheme.

The scheme is well constructed and allows the novice to progress through our sport to ultimately become perhaps a Chief Examiner.  This grading exists for all disciplines in the radio-controlled side of the sport.  Let us look at the grades and what they mean.

‘A’ certificate  This allows the novice flyer who has recently been deemed solo by his instructor to prove that he can fly safely and competently on his own.  It consists of some very basic manoeuvres showing the examiner that the pilot is in full control of the aircraft and observes local flying regulations demonstrating a standard of airmanship that would not endanger others.  After the flying part of the exam the pilot would be expected to answer questions about model safety from the BMFA handbook and questions pertaining to local flying regulations.

‘B’ certificate.  As we progress with our flying so we start to introduce aerobatics into our sessions.  The ‘B’ certificate is designed for those persons who feel that they are of a calibre where they want to show that they are a more competent pilot.  Ideally we would like to fly with fellow pilots of a ‘B’ standard so the club standards of airmanship are of a high level.  If you pass the ‘B’ it also allows you to fly in front of the public and organise flying displays for your club.  The routine starts the same as the ‘A’ but aerobatic manoeuvres are added to demonstrate your ability to safely place your aircraft in different attitudes without deviating from its intended track.  You are not being tested on precision aerobatics, and if it does deviate did you put in the correct input to safely bring it back on track.  If you pass your ‘B’ then you can fly in front of a crowd so precision flying is an absolute must.  At the end of the flying session the Examiners or Chief Examiner will ask you even more searching questions from the BMFA handbook.

‘C’ certificate.  This was recently introduced for those pilots who wish to demonstrate their prowess at the more advanced manoeuvres.  It allows the club flyer the opportunity to progress to more advanced manoeuvres without having to enter competition and gives him a new direction in his flying.  The schedule does not include any manoeuvres from the ‘A’ or ‘B’ certificates but is a whole new concept.  Again at the end of the flying session, searching questions will be asked on safety and general airmanship.  You must hold a ‘B’ certificate before you undertake the ‘C’.

The next two positions are not achievements but appointments by a club.  They are very important, as without them the scheme cannot operate.  This puts the model pilot firmly in the model flying management bracket

Examiner.  This is an appointed post by your club committee.  If appointed you will undertake a stringent test based on the ‘B’ test by a Chief Examiner, he may also throw in a few events of his own to show that you can react quickly to emergencies or aerobatics without becoming unsettled.  Expect the questions from the BMFA handbook to be very searching.

Chief Examiner.  This is an appointed post by your area committee and is only given to those persons who are deemed to have the experience, knowledge and character to uphold such a post.

In RAFMAA we have 2 Chief Examiners and two examiners.  If you wish to undertake any of the above then contact me and we can arrange to come to you or we could find a central location where we can meet up to conduct the tests. 

Why do I encourage you to take the tests?  Some civilian clubs will not let you fly solo unless you hold an ‘A’ certificate.  It also gives you a sense of achievement and upholds our military ethos of personal standards and self-discipline.  The most recent persons to be passed have told me that they had a great sense of pride and has spurred them on to be more competitive and disciplined in their flying.

The most important thing is to practice, practice, practice.  Read the BMFA handbook from cover to cover and you will be well prepared.  The BMFA website (www.bmfa.org) has all the information you need on the scheme.

Make 2006 the year when you are going to achieve!

Ian Nelson

Achievement Scheme Co-ordinator.

email:  achieve@rafmaa.co.uk