Remote Control Flight Training

The Lexington Model Airplane Club (LMAC) maintains a basic model aviation flight training program as a benefit of club membership at no additional cost to members. The program is operated by club members who volunteer their time. The training site is the LMAC airfield which is one of the best in Kentucky with 650 ft long by 50 foot wide asphalt runway.  Below is an overview of the flight training program.

If you are new to model aviation, it is suggested that you make contact with us to setup a visit to the airfield and learn what is involved with flying model airplanes.  

Training Coordinator, Bob Cooper Ph. 859-272-6460 or Email:   robert.cooperj  (at)  gmail.com

Overview of the RC Flight Training Program.

Training Objective:  To ensure that club members have the necessary basic skills and procedural knowledge to safely fly model aircraft at the LMAC airfield. 

1. Membership in the Academy Model Aeronautics (www.modelaircraft.org)
2. Membership in the Lexington Model Airplane Club (Click here)
3. Signed Instructor Liability Release form to enable instructors to fly your plane (Click here)
4. Aircraft and starting equipment suitable for basic flight training.  Assistance can be provided on selecting an aircraft and related equipment suitable for training purposes.

Candidates for Training:

• For people who are new to model aviation or have never flown remote control aircraft.
• For people who are experienced in flying RC aircraft, but are new to the club.  A short orientation on local procedures and club airfield rules will be provided.
• For people who just need a little assistance with the first flights on a new aircraft.
• For people who are interesting in learning to fly any of these types of model aircraft: airplanes, sailplanes, helicopters or control line model airplanes.

Reasons For Training

1. There are a number of airfield rules that all members must follow for the Club to continue using the City Government (LFUCG) property where the airfield is located.
2. Learning safety and airfield procedures is of the up most importance in preventing injuries to you and others at the airfield.
3. A new person trying to fly a new aircraft without assistance will most certainly crash the aircraft on the first flight.
4. Flying remote control aircraft requires special "eye-hand coordination" and a feel for the model aircraft that must be acquired over time with practice.   The ability to fly full scale aircraft does not provide these necessary skills.
5. Having an instructor assist with setting up a new model aircraft for stable flight will enhance airfield safety, reduce potential for crashes, and make the training more productive and enjoyable.

Training Overview:

Training will be provided in the following areas to ensure LMAC members can safely fly remote control model aircraft by the rules without endangering themselves or others. 

A. Ground School   

The LMAC Remote Control Aircraft Flight Training Manual (Click here) is provided to assist students in learning preliminary model aviation concepts in preparation for flight training. An instructor is available to assist you in attaining a working knowledge of the following very important subjects.
      1.  Introduction to Remote Control Flying
      2. Safety & Field Procedures  
      3. Aircraft Nomenclature and Terminology   
      4. Principles of flight
      5. Basic Aircraft Setup and Pre-flight Checks
      6. Model Airplane Engines

B. Flight School  

Training flights using your model aircraft will be approximately 10 minutes in length. The instructor will generally connect an available Club RC transmitter (ie, buddy box) to your transmitter so that control can be quickly switched back and forth between you and the instructor to minimize the potential for a crash. 

Each training session builds upon the previous session with the instructor describing of the flight maneuver, demonstrating it in flight, then coaching you while you practice the maneuver. Eventually, you will have demonstrated safety and proficiency skills in all of the following areas, and you will be flying on your own.

      1. LMAC & AMA safety rules and local airfield procedures.  
      2. Aircraft preparations for flight - at home
      3. Aircraft preparations for flight - at the airfield.
      4. Start-up and Pre-takeoff checks
      5. Taxi (low & high speed taxi on runway center line)
      6. Basic Flight (level, climb, glide & trim AC with speed and power changes)
      7. Turns (90°, 180°, 360°turns with speed and power changes)
      8. Crash Avoidance & Unusual Attitude Recovery techniques
      9. Rectangular Landing Pattern (Downwind, Base Leg, Final Approach )
    10. Go Arounds (hold runway center line, climb to pattern altitude)
    11. Takeoff ( Take-off Roll, straight climb out to pattern altitude )
    12. Landings (Final Approach, Flare, Touchdown)
    13. Minimum of three (3) solo landing patterns, touchdowns, take-offs and go-arounds with safe aircraft control without instructor on buddy box.

At the airfield, you and your instructor will use the Flight Training Record (Click here) and Airfield Reference (Click here) during the training program.

Preparations for Training:
It is highly recommended for new people to use a flight simulator program on your personal computer at home or hobby shop to accelerate the learning process.   These simulators are very effective at saving you flying time at the airfield. Just 15 minutes a day practice on the simulator will eventually give you a feel for how your particular aircraft flies and builds eye-hand coordination skills.  If you decide to use a simulator, contact us for assistance in getting started.

Review the Ground School Manual (click here)

Recommended Trainer Planes - Electric and Glow:
Before purchasing a new plane, consider letting us help you find a used trainer plane from a Club member. Also, if you decided to buy a new plane, consider visiting the local hobby shops to price planes and radios. Some hobby shops do not stock RC planes and radios, but would be glad to order your plane for you at a price less than what you would pay for an Internet order.

Alpha 40 RTF  (Glow)      new $ 299.
Made by Hanger 9
Glow powered airplane with Spektrum DX 5e Radio and Receiver
http://secure.hobbyzone.com/index/index_planes_trainers/HAN4400.html

Apprentice  (Electric)         new $ 299.
Electric Airplane with Spektrum DX 5e radio
Made by E-flite
http://secure.hobbyzone.com/ EFL2725.htm

Alpha Sport 450 ARF  (Electric)    new $209.
Electric Airplane  without radio - order radio separately below
Made by E-flite
http://secure.hobbyzone.com/ catalog/hz/eflite/eflite_pnp/ EFL2875.html

T-28 Trojan PNP  (Electric)   new $179.
Electric Airplane  without radio - order radio separately below
Made by ParkZone
http://secure.hobbyzone.com/ rcplanes/rcair_parkzone/allfr/ PKZ4475.html

Recommended Radios:
DX 5e Radio and Receiver       new $99  This radio non-programable and is for beginners.  
Made by Spektrum
(If you stay with this hobby, you will probably want a better radio like the DX 6i or DX 8)
http://secure.hobbyzone.com/ catalog/HZ/catalog/catalog_ radiosystems/SPM5510.html

DX 6i Radio and Receiver    new   $209.   (This radio is programmable )
Made by Spektrum
http://secure.hobbyzone.com/ SPM6610.html

Bring To Training Session

• Your AMA membership card with the affixed LMAC membership sticker.
• Sunglasses for good visibility and hat for sun protection.
• Bring model airplane, fuel and related starting equipment.  Batteries must be fully charged. 
• Airplane must be marked with your name and AMA number.  If you do not have a plane on the first session, we will provide some recommendations on trainer planes and related equipment, and where to purchase them.

Training Location 
The Club airfield is on Hedger Lane just before reaching the LFUCG Waste Disposal facility.  Hedger lane is reached by taking I-64 exit 87 between Lexington & Winchester, and following the access road on the North side of I-64 about 1 mile to Hedger Lane.  Turn on to Hedger lane and go about 1 mile to the gate and sign for the Lexington Model Airplane Club field. 

Training Session Appointment: 
Each training session is conducted by appointment.  Contact person below to arrange for training.  Training is usually conducted on Tuesday evenings, if possible.  The flight training season normally begins in the Spring with the time change and runs through the Fall time change.  The student will be notified by an instructor when weather conditions are not suitable for a training session (i.e., below 50 degrees F or above 15mph wind).

Contact:  Please contact Bob Cooper for additional information or scheduling for training.  phone:  859-272-6460  email:   robert.cooperj (at) gmail.com.

LMAC Flight Training Instructors:
Bob Cooper   Home: 859-272-6460,  Email: robert.cooper (at) gmail.com
Jeff Cummings
Jason Harris
Butch Krebs   Cell:  859-771-4631,   Email:   harr6294 (at)  roadrunner.com
David Price
Jerry Thomas
Gayle Yarnell