THE BMFA 'A' CERTIFICATE (SILENT FLIGHT -
THERMAL)
- The examination for the thermal 'A' Certificate may be taken on
application to any Registered Club Examiner or Chief Examiner.
- The candidate must successfully carry out the following test.
- Carry out pre-flight checks as required by the BMFA Safety Codes.
Particular attention should be given to airframe, tow hook, control
linkages and surfaces.
- Check the launching equipment is laid out correctly, securely and
safely with respect to the field layout. Depending on the launch
method, ensure that towlines are in good condition, that the bungee is
securely anchored to the ground, that winches and turnaround pulleys
are secure and a master on/off switch is fitted to the winch or that,
if aerotow is to be used, the tug pilot is aware of the model he will
be towing and that a launch plan is agreed.
- Check that the launch area and landing area are clear both on the
ground and in the air and, after complying with the site frequency
control system, prepare the model for launch. If a helper is used to
launch the model they should be fully briefed as to what is
required.
- Clearly announce "launching" and launch the model under full
control, any deviation from the expected launch path must be corrected
smoothly and quickly. Complete the launch by releasing the model from
the launch line cleanly and level the model into wind without
stalling.
- Fly the model straight and level for at least 15 seconds while
pilot and Examiner clear the launch area.
- At the Examiners call the model should be stalled into wind and
recovered smoothly with minimum loss of height, heading into wind.
- Perform 3 consecutive 360 degree thermal turns to the right or left
with minimum loss of height, ending on the same heading as the entry.
The model must show no tendency to stall or enter a spiral dive.
- Perform 3 consecutive 360 degree thermal turns in the opposite
direction to above with minimum loss of height, ending on the same
heading as the entry. The model must show no tendency to stall or enter
a spiral dive.
- Fly the model up wind to prepare the model for the landing phase.
The model should be flown with no tendency to stall and with minimum
loss of height.
- Call "landing" and fly a down wind leg, followed by a crosswind leg
and final approach. The crosswind leg may be a continuous turn if
preferred and it may be stretched past the centre line of the landing
approach to allow control of height but the model must be flown back to
the centre line for the final approach. The whole approach should be
flown smoothly with no stalling and the turns should have a reasonably
large radii.
- Land the model into wind within 20 metres of a predetermined
spot.
- Retrieve the model from the landing area, informing other pilots
that the landing area is clear. (m) Complete post-flight checks
required by the BMFA Safety Codes.
- Repeat the above schedule twice more, giving a total of three
flights.
- Answer at least 5 questions on safety matters from the BMFA Safety
Codes.
- If insufficient height is achieved at launch or very bad sink is
encountered that will not allow the completion of the entire test schedule
the Examiner may allow an additional flight. If in the opinion of the
Examiner a poor launch height is due to pilot ability the test is
failed.
- All maneuvers must be carried out in airspace pre-determined by the
Examiner and Candidate prior to the commencement of the test
flights.
- Aerotow release height will be determined by the Examiner during the
launch and should be approximately the same as a bungee, towline or winch
launch.
- The above complete multi-flight schedule is treated as one test
attempt. Two attempts per examination will be allowed in anyone day.
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1 |
Freeman J |
70.0 |
90.0 |
70.0 |
|
90.0 |
|
4 |
320.00 |
2 |
Carter G |
65.0 |
|
90.0 |
90.0 |
65.0 |
|
4 |
310.00 |
3 |
Grantham M |
55.0 |
80.0 |
80.0 |
75.0 |
70.0 |
|
5 |
305.00 |
4 |
S Hannon |
|
100.0 |
|
100.0 |
100.0 |
|
3 |
300.00 |
5 |
P Hayward |
80.0 |
|
100.0 |
|
80.0 |
|
3 |
260.00 |
6 |
T Cooper |
45.0 |
60.0 |
65.0 |
60.0 |
55.0 |
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5 |
240.00 |
7 |
White M |
90.0 |
65.0 |
|
65.0 |
|
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3 |
220.00 |
8 |
H Webber |
50.0 |
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75.0 |
60.0 |
|
3 |
185.00 |
9 |
I Purcell |
100.0 |
70.0 |
|
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|
|
2 |
170.00 |
10 |
B Baker |
60.0 |
|
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|
1 |
60.00 |
|
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