FAQ

What Makes this School Different From My Local Club?

These are Student's actual comments during training!

"I believe that the "free club training" touted by some people is really
over stated. By the time one pays for a couple of planes, field
equipment, AMA dues, club dues and the one time "initiation fee"
that many clubs charge, your flight school is a bargain!"

"Many flying clubs don't have the time, the resources, or the
dedication to teach a new student pilot who is a raw beginner"

"I've learned more here in 5 days, that I have in two
years at home!"

"I used school trainers! My plane was never at risk!"

"There were no "gaps" in my training! That was the
chief problem with my club program!"

"The flight school follows a lesson plan based on my
abilities. This is virtually is non-existent anywhere else."

"I had the same instructor every day! Beats getting
passed around or waiting for the instructor to show
up!"

"I was the only plane in the air, my club allows 5
planes in the air at a time!"

"I had four flying lessons, every day! I was lucky if I
got three lessons a week!"

"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!"

"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 three.

What Happens if I put a Deposit down and Can't make the Class?

There are no refunds on fees. However, we
furnish travel insurance that is provided by
Travel Guard.
The insurance not only covers the school
fees but also other travel related expense
as well. It is protection for you, as well as the
Flight School's.

I Really Like Travel Guard, can I Buy
Travel Insurance for a Trip other than the
Flight School?

Absolutely! Just click on any Travel Guard link or
call 888-780-6954 and we will make any additional
arrangements for you.

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
World Models Super Sport" is the aerobatic trainer. All our
Glo trainers use the OS .46 AX or FX engines. Two NexStars
have been converted to "electric". Transmitters and Buddy
Boxes are eight channel Tracker III's, by Polk's Hobbies.
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, makes turns much
    smoother, helps eliminate the adverse yaw.
2) Configured Differential Ailerons, helps eliminate 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! This assistance is slowly reduced
    as training continues.
     (Not the same equipment that is oem on the NexStar RTF)
4) The training aids; droops and training flaps are installed to help
    reduce speed & increase lift. The Co-Pilot has all but
    eliminated the "buddy Box" and increased the student's
    actual flying time and reduced anxiety dramatically!

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. We will not fly a plane that is not rated
for beginning flyers.

Can Non-Students be Present During Classes?

Yes! Please let us know in advance, so we will have ample
supplies.

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?

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 site especially for 2nd R/C Flight students.

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.

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
“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.
“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.

click to enlarge final approach

E-mail