Safety Issue-during our recent Insurance renewal and application to all fields in India ,the question asked was how do we train flyers and ensure safe model aircraft flying.In keeping with the intent of safe flying AMA would be shortly introducing the 'A' and 'B' certificates in all categories,details of capability for each certificate will be shortly posted on our website.It is likely that in the next aeromodelers meet it would be necessary to have a 'B' certificate to be allowed to participate in a public meet.

Suggestions from experienced aeromodelers invited on the mode of testing/examining to be introduced to award the certificates.

Profficiency Scheme,"A'Certificate and 'B'Certificate.

The main aim of the schemes is to encourage model flyers to reach a given standard
of flying ability and safety and to prove that standard to an Examiner. There are two grades;

(a)The 'A' Certificate which may be equated to a 'safe solo' standard of flying.

(b) The 'B' Certificate which is designed to recognise a more advanced pilot's increased ability
and knowledge and a demonstrated high level of safety.

In addition, there are endorsements available to the 'B' Certificate in various disciplines for those flyers who wish to take their personal flying standards and achievements further.

The examination for an 'A' Certificate may be taken on application to AMA office. The candidate must successfully carry out the following flying test and reference to the AMA rules is very strongly recommended:

(b) Take off and complete a left (or right) hand circuit and overfly the take-off area.

(c) Fly a 'figure of eight' course with the cross-over point in front of the pilot, height to be constant.

(d) Fly a rectangular circuit and approach with appropriate use of the throttle and perform a landing
on the designated landing area. If the engine stops during the landing ,the model may be retrieved and the engine restarted to enable the remaining parts of the test to be completed.

(e) Take off and complete a left (or right) hand circuit and overfly the take-off area

(f) Fly a rectangular circuit at a constant height in the opposite direction to the landing circuit flown in(d)

Perform a simulated deadstick landing with the engine at idle, beginning at a safe height (approx.
200 ft) heading into wind over the take-off area, the landing to be made in a safe manner on the
designated landing area.

(h) Remove model and equipment from takeoff/landing area.

All manoeuvres must be carried out in front of the pilot, depending on the wind direction.

The above schedule is treated as one test flight and must be completed in one attempt. Two attempts
per examination will be allowed in any one day.You must turn up for the test with a model that is
capable of taking off on its own undercarriage or from a dolly. However, if, in the opinion of the
Examiner, the surface of the flying area is such that a rolling take-off would not be possible, hand
launches may be permitted.In addition to the flying schedule, the candidate must answer correctly a minimum of five questions on safety matters, based on the AMA Safety Codes for General Flying and local flying rules.

Glad to see this here, Nagar saheb

The good thing is that acceptance and awareness is coming up amongst us to have standards,insurance and guidance to right procedures,joint national events etc.-efforts of AMA are now showing results.

Those who would like to be certified any where in India,need not come to Delhi-they have to be members of AMA (for records)and we will designate the Regional Secretary or a senior Aeromodeler in the region to be a certified examiner who will test them and certify them,AMA will issue the Certificate based on the examination conducted .We will shortly bring out the requirements of the 'B' Certificate .

Examination for 'B' certificate,the candidate must successfully complete the following flying tests .

(a) Carry out pre-flight checks as required by the AMA Safety Codes.

(b) Take off and complete a left (or right) hand circuit and overfly the take-off area.

(c) Fly a 'figure of eight' course with the crossover point in front of the pilot, height to be constant. This manoeuvre must be flown more accurately than the similar manoeuvre in the 'A' certificate test.

(d) Fly into wind and complete one inside loop.

(e) Fly downwind and complete one outside loop downwards from the top (i.e. a bunt). For aircraft (scale aircraft specifically) which for reasons of structural strength or control limitations cannot perform an outside loop, a Split S or Reversal (from level flight, half roll to inverted, hold, then pull through half loop to recover in level flight) may be accepted by the Examiner.

(f) Complete two consecutive rolls into wind.

(g) Complete two consecutive rolls downwind using the opposite direction of roll rotation to that used in (f) above.

(h) Complete a stall turn either left or right.

(i) Gain height and perform a three turn spin. For aircraft which will not spin, a spin attempt resulting in a spiral dive (not necessarily of three turns), will be acceptable. In each case the initial heading and the recovery heading must be into wind and the model must fall into the spin (no 'flick' spin entry).

(j) Fly a rectangular landing approach and overshoot from below 10 ft. Note that this
manoeuvre is an aborted landing, not a low pass.

(k) Fly a rectangular circuit in the opposite direction to that in (j) at a constant height of not more than 40 feet.

(l) Fly a rectangular landing approach and land (wheels to touch within a pre-designated 30 metre boundary).

(m) Complete post-flight checks as required by the AMA Safety Codes.

Parts (d),(e),(f),(g),(h) and (i) must be performed in airspace designated by the examiner prior to the test flight. The schedule must be completed in one flight.

Exceptionally, at a pre-determined point in the flight an intermediate landing may be permitted for the sole purpose of either refuelling or the fitting of a freshly charged flight battery. This landing may only be made with the prior consent of the Examiners.

The pre-determined point may be either after a specific manoeuvre or at a specific time of flight,whichever is requested by the candidate and agreed by the Examiners.

Two attempts per examination will be allowed in any one day.

All manoeuvres must be carried out in front of the pilot.

Depending on the wind direction, (j), (k) and (l) will be flown as EITHER left hand overshoot circuit, right hand rectangular circuit, left hand landing circuit OR right hand overshoot circuit, left hand rectangular circuit, right hand landing circuit.

In addition to the above flying schedule, the applicant must answer satisfactorily a minimum of eight questions on safety matters based on the AMA Safety Codes for General Flying and Model Flying Displays and local flying rules.

For Intermediate category in fixed wing.

Suggestions welcome