How to pass the BMFA "A" certificate for helicopters.

This article is to be read in conjunction with the BMFA members handbook 2007 edition. The handbook is available to download in pdf format. Click here for free pdf viewer, Adobe Acrobat.

Pre-flight.

This is laid out in the handbook, Tip1, leave your frequency peg on the board before starting the test, then collect your peg to show your examiner, you are not a "peg hoarder". Replace the peg at the end of the session. Tip 2 explain everything you do to the examiner, he may not be experienced with all the ins & outs of a helicopter, don't assume he knows what you are doing. If you have more than one heli, choose the one you are most familiar with, set it up to be stable, a nice soft "idle up 2" will handle the wind. Excuse that the heli is set to be unstable due to 3D flying won't work!

Pre Flight Checks & Safety

Whilst you should already be familiar with the BMFA members handbook you should pay particular attention to 

i.    THE BMFA GUIDELINES AND SAFETY CODES FOR MODEL FLYING pages 14, 15 & 16

ii.    RADIO CONTROL FLYING SAFETY and PRE FLYING SESSION CHECKS pages 28 & 29

and 

iii.    HELICOPTERS and Helicopter Rotor Blade Safety pages 30 & 31

1st practical test

The following tests are to ascertain whether you are a safe flyer, not a 3D expert. If at any stage of the exercises you think you may crash and/or endanger anyone, abort the manoeuvre immediately and explain your actions, this will show you are safety conscious. If your model engine cuts out or something drops off, its game over, but you normally have two shots at the test within a day.

There is some flexibility in how an instructor handles these tests, so it might not go exactly how I describe it, but if you can do the following reasonably well then you should be fine. We don't take tests everyday so you may be nervous, this can be helped by getting someone leading up to the test to act as the instructor for you doing the timing & asking questions from the manual.

After the pre-flight checks and you have a peg clear for use, start your model and proceed to the flying field as instructed by your examiner. Place your model in front or slightly to one side about 4 metres away with the tails pointing towards you.. Wait for the commands from the instructor.

(2). Hover at this point for 20 seconds (seems like a lifetime).

(3). Maintaining constant altitude fly forwards about 4-5 metres and hover stationary for another 20 seconds. [A].

(4). Fly to the left sideways maintaining the tail towards you for about 5 metres and stop hover for 20 seconds [B].

(5). Fly back to the central point you just came for and hover for 20 seconds [C].

(6). Fly to the right sideways maintaining the tail towards you for about 5 metres and stop hover for 20 seconds [D].

(7). Fly back to the central point you just came for and hover for 20 seconds [E].

(8). Fly backwards tail still pointing towards you back to the takeoff point (don't land) hover for 20 seconds [F]..

(9).Land. Let the engine tick over its not over yet !

This amounts to 2 minutes and 20 seconds of precision flying (quite tiring). The instructor is looking out for a constant altitude through movements and maintaining position at the stop points. The procedure should be a good T shape manoeuvre. (See diagram below).

Tips: Do all movements slowly (no time limit), check position all the time and correct if necessary. The instructor wants to see your ability to correct the model if it drifts, you fly the model not vice-versa.

Wind direction and turbulence will play a factor , so don't just practice on a calm day.

Catch your breath and wait till your knees stop knocking.

2nd practical test

This one can be tricky, but with practice is relatively straight forward.

This is called a "lazy eight" because each loop stage is not circular but more of a turn. The manoeuvre starts by hovering tail towards you then turn either left of right, the diagram shows a left hand circuit (most people prefer this, what's your best way ?) Note that the model should not come directly nose in at any point, use this fact it helps.

(1). From Hover point turn the model right of left and fly down the field for about 15 metres and commence your turn gently and slowly . The "Lazy Eight" is a hovering manouver to be performed at walking pace or a little over (there' no points for speed !)

(2). Fly back to the start point with a heading towards the right hand loop stage, gently turn and come back again to the start point, repeat this twice. The instructor may want to see another circuit or two if the first goes were a bit rough.

(3). Back to take off point Land. Phew !!!

Tips: If there's more than a breath of wind, you will find that the model climbs on the upwind leg and descends on the downwind leg. This is not good for a constant altitude, so practice predicting the behaviour of the model and adjust accordingly, you do not have to be inch perfect. The 2007 rules do NOT state that you have to maintain a constant height although I recommend that you keep it straight and level otherwise it will be difficult to define the shape of the manoeuvre.

Note: this diagram shows a circuit starting nose left, you can do it starting nose right - choose you strongest route.

Post test debrief.

If you have done your homework by reading the members manual then you will be fine, it's all good common sense. Read the the advice under THE TEST QUESTIONS page 49

I wish you the best of luck (and calm days) - now on to the "B" test.

Cheers Rob..

Updated by Richard May 2007