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What Makes this School
Different From My Local Club?
These are
Student's actual comments during training!
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"I believe that the "free club
training", touted by some people is way
over stated. In order to get free lessons, you must spend at
least $500-$1000 up front. That includes a plane, transmitter
field equipment, AMA dues, club dues and a one time "initiation fee".
Then the first thing out of the instructors mouth was "I'm not
responsible if I crash your plane"! This school is a no brainer!."
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"Many
flying clubs don't have the time, the resources, or the
dedication to teach a new student pilot who is a raw beginner"
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"I've learned more here in 5
days, that I have in two
years at home!"
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"I used
school trainers! My
plane was never at risk!"
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"There were no "gaps" in
my training! That was the
chief problem
with my club program!"
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"The flight school follows a
lesson plan based on my abilities.
This is virtually is non-existent anywhere else."
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"I had the same instructor
every day! Beats getting
passed
around or waiting for the instructor to show
up!"
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"I was the only plane in
the air, my club allows 5
planes in the air at a
time!"
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"I had four
flying lessons, every day! I was lucky if I
got
three lessons a week!"
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"My training was
equal to 12 weeks based on flying
once a week! More than
half of a "flying season" in
some
parts of the country!"
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"At this school, there is no
harassment or "kidding" when a landing goes bad.
Those kind of events are
made into learning experiences of what to and not to
do"!
What Other Classes do you Offer?
Besides a basic beginner and
advanced beginner we offer
an Instructor Class. This class is five or ten days in
length,
depending on requirements. The cost of the class is
$750 per week. The maximum class size is five.
What Happens if I put a Deposit down and
Can't
make the Class?
There are no refunds on
the deposit (first half of the fee).
Depending on circumstances and student load, we will attempt
to reschedule your lessons.
Why Do You Recommend Simulators?
Because they work! We had a 67
year old student, who
had
never flown an R/C plane, grease a landing within the
first
45 minutes of instruction! I thought it was luck, he did
it
again 2 more times! He flew the G3 for about 9 months
before coming to our school!!!
Why Can't you Teach Me How to Fly
R/C in
Three Days Like Some Other Flight Schools Advertise?
The "learn to fly" process places
a tremendous amount
of stress on the brain. Therefore, most students can only
tolerate a total of just over an hour a day of actual flying
time.
That's
why workshops and other non-flying activities
are
incorporated into the school. The better understanding
of
the procedures, the faster real learning takes place. We
can't and won't guarantee success, but we do promise to
do everything possible to make you successful!
What Kind of Planes Should I Expect to Fly?
Our primary nitro trainer is the "Hobbico
NexStar" and "The Great Planes Stik 60 is the
aerobatic trainer. All of the Glo trainers use the OS .46 AX engines.
One NexStar
have been converted to "electric". Buddy
Boxes
are
JR 6102's with a JR 9303 2.4 instructor transmitter.
Mode I
training equipment is also available, by JR.
I've Heard that the NexStar
RTF is
"Marginal"
Why Do You Use it?
Read
our Nexstar review
We use the NexStar
ARF, equipped with flaps,
droops and.
a FMA Co-Pilot.
The NexStar is a very S L O W, durable,
easy to fly and
stable
airplane.
It is a perfect trainer for
new pilots, the NexStar
gives
the student time to
think
and develop good
flying habits during training.
We've
made the following
modifications
to the NexStar:
1) Coupled the Ailerons and Rudder, 100%, makes turns much
smoother, almost completely eliminates adverse yaw.
2) Configured Differential Ailerons, reduces adverse yaw
3) Added an FMA Co-Pilot that is adjustable from the
transmitter. If the student gets into a bind, they
just moves the right stick to neutral, and the plane
becomes level instantly! Increases "time on the stick"
for the student and less instructor inference. This
assistance is slowly reduced as the student gains skill.
(Not the same equipment that is oem on the NexStar RTF)
4) The training aids; droops and working flaps are installed
to help
reduce
air speed. The Co-Pilot has all but
eliminated the "buddy Box" and dramatically increased
the student's actual flying time !
Do You or Can you teach in Mode
One?
Yes, we have Mode One equipment.
Why Do You Charge for Lessons?
We charge for R/C flight lessons
because we furnish all the
equipment, manuals, fuel, planes and
radios. We also
maintain a private
30 acre
flying
site, with AMA insurance
for
your use.
Why Can't I use my Airplane for
Training?
All our equipment;
planes, transmitters,
batteries,
engines and motors have been upgraded, where possible,
to withstand
heavy use and
abuse. Even the clevises are
have been upgraded, to ensure there are no problems
during
lessons. You
are, however, encouraged to
bring
your
model and
it will pre-flighted
on Thursday and you will
fly
it on Friday.
Can Non-Students be Present During
Classes?
Yes! Please let us know in
advance, so we will have ample
chairs. The rule for spectators is "NO TALKING" while a
student is in the air. Parents you are responsible for
your
children! This is and can be a dangerous activity for
those
who are not self aware
What Happens if the Weather doesn't
Cooperate?
Only thunderstorms keep us from
flying, and they generally
don't last all day. Time will be spent in workshops or answering
questions and/or
practice on
a
simulator. When the weather
clears, we'll return to
the
flying field and resume training.
Morning and afternoon
sessions may be used to get in the
required flying
lessons.
I Want to Use This Trip as a Family
Vacation, is
There anything else to do in Little Rock?
Absolutely! Check out the
local information page on this
site.
There's plenty to do after your class ends around
2pm.
Do You Offer Discounts or Better
Pricing on R/C Products?
Yes,
eflightstuff.com is a
web store especially for 2nd R/C
Flight students.
ALL students receive a 10% or more discount. Each class is
given it's own
discount code!
What are Your Qualifications to
Teach?
I have been involved with model
airplanes for over 50
years, and
been in R/C for over 25 years. I hold an
Advanced
Pilot rating and have been involved in training
and teaching
thought out my professional business career.
The flight school has been in operation over 5 years!
What Does All Those "Terms" Mean?
This “terminology”
index was developed to improve the student’s
understanding of expressions used by flight instructors. It also
reduces
the confusion of a required action by the student, and ultimately
diminishes student anxiety and tension.
|
Right Stick Commands |
Meaning / Action |
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“Bump to the Low Wing |
Used only for aileron control. A bump is a
small input used for turns. The pilot will
move the stick approximately 1/8 to ¼ of an
inch in the appropriate direction and return
to neutral. The overall movement time is
approximately 1 to 2 seconds. |
|
Push the Plane Away |
Used when the aircraft is flying across and
in front of you. Bump the stick towards
the tail of the aircraft. This action
moves the plane away from you. |
|
Bring the Plane In |
Used when the aircraft is flying across and
in front of you. Bump the stick towards
the nose of the aircraft. This action
moves the plane towards from you. |
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“Make a “T”” |
Used when making a turn. Means “bump” in
the appropriate direction, come back to
neutral, then gently pull back and hold the
elevator position. As the turn is completed
the stick is returned to the neutral
position. |
|
“Neutral” |
Bring the stick to it’s neutral position. |
|
“Hold the pull” |
Generally used when performing a turn or
during landing. It means to hold constant
back pressure on the elevator stick. Do
not return the stick to the neutral
position. |
|
“Use 45’s” |
The “stick” is actually a small joy stick,
and by moving the controls at 45 degrees or
“off center” you can get simultaneous
control movement of ailerons and elevator.
This allows for more precision control and
turns. (Used after the “bump” is mastered) |
|
“Level the Wings” |
Refers to plane flight position. Bump the
control stick until wings are parallel to
the ground. The required bump is opposite of
the low wing. |
|
“Make a ‘U” |
Used during general flying and especially
for landing. It means that the airplane
makes a large smooth 180 degree turn. |
|
“Let the Plane Come Down” |
Reduce the amount of pressure you are
holding on the right stick, do not let
the stick go completely to the neutral
position! |
|
“Push the Nose Down” |
Refers to a climbing or nose high plane.
Generally occurs when a plane is trimmed at
a slow speed and then the throttle is
advanced. Put a little forward pressure on
the stick to bring the plane to level
flight. |
|
“Pull the Stick or Pull” |
Bring the right stick toward you or “back”
causes the nose of the airplane to rotate
up. Generally, when landing or turning, the
pilot has to hold a little “back” pressure
to keep from losing altitude or to keep the
nose level when landing. |
|
“Tap Back” |
Refers to takeoff. Once the model has
reached takeoff speed, the pilot briefly and
gently pulls the stick back. As soon as the
plane is airborne, the stick is returned to
neutral during the climb out. |
|
“Back on the Stick” |
Used during landing. Once the plane is
within a foot above the runway, the nose is
level (by holding constant back
pressure on the stick), the pilot begins to
slowly pull back on the stick very slowly.
This slows the plane and it will land. As
soon as the wheels touch the runway, quickly
come back to neutral with the stick. |
|
Left Stick Commands |
Meaning / Action |
|
“Up # Clicks” |
Refers to the throttle. The pilot will
advance the throttle the given number of
clicks. |
|
“Down # Clicks” |
Refers to the throttle. The pilot will
decrease the throttle the given number
of clicks. |
|
“Back & Up 2 Clicks” |
Refers to the throttle. The pilot will
move the throttle to the lowest setting
and then advance 2 clicks. Generally used
when landing. |
|
“Get it Rolling” |
Refers to takeoff. The plane will slowly
start rolling towards its intended target.
First part of the takeoff procedure. |
|
“Full Throttle” |
Move the throttle smoothly to the “full”
position. Do not jam the stick. |
|
General Commands |
Meaning / Action |
|
“Find a Target” |
Used for takeoff. Point your plane at a
particular spot and fly or taxi toward it. |
|
“Get Ready to Start Your Turn |
Used by the instructor to let you know that
a required movement is a few seconds away.
When it’s time to turn the instructor will
say “now”. |
|
“Stay in Comfortable View” |
Refers to the distance the airplane is from
the pilot. At the school field, this refers
to keeping the model within certain
boundaries.
That is the tree line to the North. Middle
of the runway to the
South and end of the tree lines east and
west. These guidelines allow the pilot to
clearly visualize the model at all times. |
|
“Keep Your Fingers on the Sticks” |
Do not remove your fingers from the sticks
when not at neutral! Also means not allowing
the sticks to snap back to neutral after
making a flight adjustment. |
|
“Turn Your Body” |
Means point the top of the transmitter or
turn your body in the same general direction
as the plane is traveling. Allows the pilot
to maintain right and left orientation. Used
during takeoff. |
|
“Bring the Plane to Your shoulder” |
Used during landing. Keep your shoulders
parallel with the runway; the model will be
even with and at 10 or 2 o'clock position
off your shoulder that is facing the plane.
This aligns the model in the middle of the
runway and puts the model at the proper
altitude for landing. |
|
“Bring the Plane to Your 10 or 2” |
Used during landing. Keep your shoulders
parallel with the runway; the model will be
even with and at 10 or 2 o'clock position
off your shoulder, that is facing the
plane. This aligns the model in the middle
of the runway and puts the model at the
proper altitude for landing. |
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click to enlarge final
approach

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