BMFA 'A' Test (Fixed Wing)

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

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[@darrenmurphy22]

Hi Cliff .. well I passed my A test this morning .I was a bit nervous but it all went smoothly . Cliff Brumfield was of great help and support . 😁👍 Next stop .... "B" Test

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Brilliant, well done, who examined you?

[@willko6044]

I found this useful. As to it's relevance, it can be hard to be objective about ones own abilities so these manoeuvres are a decent independent test of control. It's maybe more about being safe in the presence of others than having a bit of paper. Some will have a well ordered approach to this hobby, good flying skills and can do it on their own. Others will be helped by some guidance. The bits of the test not shown about pre-flight checks and other safety issues are also a good guide as to how to avoid accidents ( I've seen a few). Additionally some clubs won't let you join unless you have an A certificate. For the record, I'm practicing and hope to give it a go sometime.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

neil wilson Thanks for your comments and good luck in the test.

[@spaced-out-records]

Hi Cliff I'm Taking my A test tomorrow and doing my research found your video ..Thanks for the tips and wish me luck :) Cheers Darren

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Well good luck, everything's on your side, the weather, your preparation and your research 😉 like any test it's easy to say just relax and enjoy it but after you've passed you'll wonder what all the fuss was about. And don't forget the examiner wants you to pass! And if the worst happens then, guess what? you can take it again! Let us know how you get on Darren 🤞

[@dutchloveRC]

Gotta Love the SIM!!!

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi Dutch, yes you do, the edit took more than one take I must be honest, cheers.

[@dutchloveRC]

@@CliffHarveyRCPlanes SHhhh I wont tell! lol

[@matjazpajek4390]

Great video. Just a question? Why would one, want to past that test anyway? We fly for our own pleasure. I just don’t see any benefit having this certificate. Maybe to frame it and put it on a wall? I don’t know

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi Matjaz, thank you. The test is not mandatory, it's simply gives you, the flyer, something to aim for on a personal level, if you can't do these simple manoeuvres then it would be a good idea to try and perfect them, they can, after all, only improve your basic flying skills. A lot of UK clubs use this test as a proof of competence that an individual can fly safely. This test is the practical, there are also questions that the examiner will ask on the day to prove you understand the legal and safety issues involved in flying a radio controlled model.

[@dobermannbite]

cant fly or get insurance at most clubs in uk without it

[@MrLarsgren]

the point of having a certificate and flying on a approved area is that beeing member of the union and with passed tests then insurance cover it if something happens. when i was 14 " 27 years ago " insurance covered 1 mill $ in material damage and 10 mill $ in case you should hit a person. its basically a blender going 20k rpm at 100 mph. it really makes a mess if you hit someone. impact alone is enough to crush any bone in a human. soo i would say its well worth it. and no.. we didnt fly battery planes back then. we ran methanol with some highly explosive additive . nitro something. with fuel engines you can hear it rush all fuel tru in a second and take insane rpm when crashing a mile away. then you knew the balsawood was pretty much shattered into a million tiny pieces . even fueltank is pancaked after a impact like that. so do a little math. 7 - 25 kg travelling at around 100 mph reaching dead zero in a split second when it hits. that force is brutal.

[@wordreet]

Some clubs require an A cert and some don’t. It generally depends on the club’s location, like main roads, power lines, council managed land, parks, bridle ways etc. All these will be mentioned in the club’s own insurance requirements. I don’t have an A cert and our club, just off the side of Datmoor don’t require it. It’s private land with public non-vehicular access.

[@wordreet]

dobermannbite The BMFA Country Membership gives anyone full insurance cover without the need to be a member of any club, or to have any certificates.

[@Tattvadarzin.]

Really helpful, thank you. I am practising on RF8 so I recognise "my field". What wind settings did you have (speed, gust/turbulence and direction relative to the runway)? The BMFA should ask you if they can officially sanction this as a training aid.

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi 'H' thanks for watching, I honestly can't remember the finer details other than I would have set things up to make it as easy as possible to make the demonstration, you can see from the windsock shot just a gentle wind straight down the runway with turbulence set to a minimum (the sort of weather you never see at the patch lol). Regarding your BMFA comment I seem to recall they were talking about putting an official video together but I don't think they've done it yet. Good luck on your test, there's nothing to fear but fear itself!! Also it's a good idea to play with the environmental controls as conditions on the day will probably be less than ideal!

[@dumpsmokes4388]

with IC. Can I just idle the throttle or does it have to be dead

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Hi MadBoutRC, good question, what the examiner wants to see is a 'simulated' dead stick landing, so yes, just idle the throttle to tick-over.

[@dumpsmokes4388]

Ah thank you. Would I be able to do the exam with a Sbach?

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

Don't see why not, but if you're in any doubt speak to your local examiner but any powered aeroplane may be used, provided it weighs more than 1kg and can take off.

[@davidgreen6035]

Any landing made during the test, even a sim dead stick, the engine must be running when you finish, and you must be able to cut the engine from your transmitter.

[@stuartgraham7576]

its been a great help, ta

[@CliffHarveyRCPlanes]

You're welcome, good luck.