Helicopter Training
Whether you’re a member just starting out and looking to learn the basics of helicopter flight, or you’re ready for your A-Certificate, or would just like to learn more advanced skills, our club instructors and experts can help you get started, and progress you to the A-Certificate level and beyond.
Beginners to A(H) Certificate
Whether you’re a complete Beginner, a fixed wing pilot looking for another challenge, or already a fairly competent heli flyer preparing for your BMFA A-Certificate, our instructors and other experts are on-hand to help you move onwards and upwards. Like most Clubs, Training and advice is provided on a voluntary basis. It is completely free of charge, and those providing instruction will also be active flyers.
If you are completely new to helicopters, the most important advice is to NOT BUY ANYTHING until you have spent time talking to experienced Club Instructors and have looked around at what other people in the club fly. This is particularly relevant for helicopters, as setting one up is a little more involved than a fixed wing model, and there are a plethora of Flybarless (FBL) controllers and transmitters on the market, all very good in their own way, but all different in terms of setting up.
Currently, our Club members tend to fly either Goblin or Align helicopters, use either Bavarian Demon or Spirit FBL controllers and FrSky, Futaba and Jeti transmitters. We would also recommend using a good flight simulator to help you progress through the different stages of training.
A(H) Resources
In addition to training provided by club instructors, there are several ‘programmes’ available online, to develop your flying skills which will enable you to fly safely and to achieve the BMFA A(H) and beyond. We’ve provided links to their content via the corresponding adjacent banners.
Firstly, Simone Zunterer (Goblin Team Pilot) has done a great little video course on learning how to fly. All of her videos are filmed in German but come with English subtitles. If you fancy a challenge, turn off the subtitles and learn German and how to fly at the same time!
RC Helicopter Richard has also done an expansive and very informative set of videos from being able to hover all the way through to high-end 3D flying and based around the RC Helicopter Nation (RCHN) Pilot Proficiency Programme. More of that in the ‘Beyond the A’ section, but his video for the Level 1 Beginner part of the programme is linked via his banner.
Last, but not least, is John Salt. John has his own website all about RC Helicopters and he does have some very good eBooks on setting helicopters up, along with a set of videos detailing how to learn the basics of helicopter flying. The videos are a little dated now, but the skills and building blocks of progression are still there.
At BMAC, helicopter pilots can fly unsupervised prior to attaining their A(H) Cert on the FPV and Multi Use Areas, however, the initial aim is to get the BMFA ‘A(H)’ certificate to allow pilots to progress their flying further and enjoy the expanse of the main strip. For ease, we’ve linked the BMFA A(H) schedule, and a demonstration of the A(H) schedule flown by Summer Fisher is available via the banner on the right.
Beyond the A(H)
Once you have your A(H) certificate, it’s time to really develop and enjoy your flying in whichever area of helicopter flying takes your interest, be that general sport flying, scale, or 3D. Whatever you choose, it will provide a challenge but there is knowledge and assistance, along with some gentle ‘competitive nudging’ on hand to help you on your way.
As mentioned in the resources section, RC Helicopter Richard has videoed the complete RCHN Pilot Proficiency Programme and this is a good pathway to develop your flying no matter what you fly; Scale, Sport or 3D. You only need to go as far as you want to with it, but it is well structured, builds on previous skills and provides a real challenge that will significantly improve your flying ability as you progress. The full programme is linked via his banner on the right.
