Flight Training Program

Free flight training is offered to all club members. Flight training is conducted every Tuesday afternoon/evening from the first Tuesday in April through the last Tuesday in October as weather permits. Flight instructors usually start showing up to the field at around 5:00pm on Tuesday and training will continue until dark.

If you are a club member interested in training, or a prospective member wanting to learn more about the training program stop by and see us at the field on Tuesday evening.

We do not offer helicopter training at this time.

You must be a current member of the Free State Aeromodelers club and have a current membership with the Academy of Model Aeronautics in order to participate in the free flight training.

Remember, all of the flight instructors are volunteers. Not only are they teaching you to fly, they are teaching you the important safety aspects of the hobby that will stay with you long after you have forgotten about your trainer airplane. Please be patient with them and listen to their advice.

All flight instruction is carried out using a "buddy box". A buddy box is a dummy transmitter that connects to the beginners transmitter with a cable. This allows the instructor take over control of the airplane to avoid a crash. Some instructors have a buddy box that may be used for instruction, however it is recommended that beginners buy their own buddy box and cable. Having your own buddy box and cable means that you don't have to share a buddy box or rely on the instructor to have one you can use. Another advantage to owning your own buddy box is that it will always be set up correctly for your airplane. This means more time flying and less setup time at the field. For the most part buddy box radio's don't go out of style like high end electronics so they are easy to sell to new pilots once you are finished with it.

Flight instruction is to be carried out only by approved flight instructors. Once you have completed your flight training you will be considered a "solo" pilot and will be allowed to fly without an instructor. Only a senior flight instructor can "solo" a new pilot.

Until you have become a "solo" pilot you are not allowed to fly your plane at the FSA club without the aid of an approved flight instructor. In this case "fly your plane" includes driving the plane on the ground (taxi the plane) anywhere on the FSA club grounds.

Safety is our number one goal so please abide by our rules so we all can enjoy the flight training experience.

To get started, a beginner needs a basic trainer aircraft, engine, radio, and some basic support equipment and supplies such as fuel, spare propellers, etc.

There are a variety of options available for basic trainer aircraft.

"Ready-To-Fly" (RTF) packages that include the airplane, engine, and radio already mounted and nearly ready to go, such as the Hanger 9 Alpha .60 and Alpha .40. A few hours of assembly and some time to charge the batteries is all that is required to be ready for training.

"Almost-Ready-to-Fly" (ARF) airplanes require more assembly work than RTF planes, and the engine and radio usually need to purchased separately, and installed in the airframe.

Kit airplanes require building the airplane from wood parts, covering, and installing the engine and radio. Kits take longer to build, however, the owner will be well familiar with the internals working of the airplane, and repairs will be easier in the future.

Most trainers are classified as .40 size. That means that the engine powering the trainer is in the .40-.46 cubic inch range . This size is most common because it gives a good balance between airplane size, flying qualities, and cost. There are larger and smaller trainers available. Larger trainers are usually a little more expensive, but usually fly a little better and are easier to see in the air.

Some trainers that have proven to be good performers with the FSA flight instructors are listed below.

Highly recommended trainer planes
• Hanger 9 Alpha 60
• Hanger 9 Alpha 40
• Sig Kadet LT-40

Other recommended trainer planes
• Hobbico Superstar
• Great Planes PT-40
• Tower Trainer 40

Trainer planes to avoid
• Hanger 9 P51 Mustang trainer - this would be a great second plane for people wanting to fly war birds.

• Trainer airplane, see above
• Radio, buddy box and cord
• Fuel
• Fuel pump, manual or electric
• Electric starter and battery or chicken stick to start the engine
• Remote glow plug lighter or glow plug clip and battery
• Spare propellers
• Spare glow plug
• Basic hand tools, screw drivers, propeller wrench, etc.
• Cheap count down timer to time your flights

Thats about it. If you have any questions or don't understand some of the terminology used above please stop by the field on a Tuesday evening ad we will be glad to show you what to purchase and explain in more detail. Have fun and fly safe!