BMFA "A" Test. Problems, Questions, Requirements.

Throw some typical test questions at us please Alan.

Having had a lot of experience last year with question eleven !!!! you start swearing before it hits the ground.

I took my A certificate back in 1982 when it was still the SMAE and to be honest I can't remember it very well.
I think the questions were all (or mostly) safety related and the flying was pretty basic stuff.
Never quite got round to the 'B'... all I wanted at the time was to be allowed to fly solo as it was(and still is) a club rule.

if you dont answer, SHOUT LOUDLY THAT CONTROL IS LOST to the question 11, then you will fail, after that, you can try to regain control any way you want, apart from running onto a live area/ runway, if its on 2.4, or over 7kg on 35 mhz, if control is lost, then it should be into failsafe, and on the floor

so screaming "take cover" and diving to the floor would be a fail.

just dont land on me

I don't have any questions but please dont think I am not interested in this cos I am (its brill to have an examiner take an interest and offer advice on this thread, thank you Alan), just am nowhere near ready to start looking at my A cert yet but when I do will prolly hammer you with questions lol!

I think it's great that Alan has revived this thread and when I go ahead & get him to test me it should prove to be an experience.
I can trust Alan to be strict with my test .... I don't think I have any right to own a model flying forum if I can't even pass my "A" test.
With Alan's permission, does anyone fancy joining me for the day out when I go?

Pol.

Be best to check with Alan first pol, before you swamp him with people to test.

A question for Alan, on take off do you have to stand parallel to the aircraft or behind.
i know it is a dumb question, but i am trying to sort out what to practice when and if i get out flying again this year.

my test, was sprung on me by my brother when their chief examiner turned up to fly his helicopter. i got told to prepare for the test in ten minutes time. there were ten other fliers there and they all very graciously landed and sat to watch me take the test. i was bricking it with having an audience. i was flying a tiger trainer that i was well used to flying so gave it my best shot you could see the aerial shaking when i walked out to fly, i thought sod it , it dosent cost nothing and i can always di it again but didnt want to let my brother and his mates down, i did some of the best flying i have ever done and passed thank god. there was a big cheer from all of the other pilots. just go for it if you fail you know what to expect next time

Tony, either either, but i prefer to have only the model on the runway, it is an active runway after all, but if you are comfortable standing behind, as long as i hear you seek permission from the pilots on the flightline, and i, or they, dont have to mind read what you are doing, then, i see no problem, on the day, your helper would have to guide you back, while you trim the aircraft out, far far better if you can stand in the pilots box, and just take off,

Pol, i would have to ask the club commitee, its their call, they would want to know why they are not taking it at their club field, we had 2 guys come down once to Oldham field, i took them for their A, (they had joined) we never saw them again, next thing, i am getting a phone call berating me for passing these 2 idiots, whe their home club refused to pass them cos they terroised the members with wild flying, so, you can see the reasoning for caution,


Willow, nothing to stop you practising, i took someone once for a practice session, lets just try you with a few questions first, then we will see you fly, he passed without even knowing he was taking it, i had arranged this with his mate, cunning stunt eh?

alan cantwell wrote:

Willow, nothing to stop you practising, i took someone once for a practice session, lets just try you with a few questions first, then we will see you fly, he passed without even knowing he was taking it, i had arranged this with his mate, cunning stunt eh?

I remember my Dad doing this too (he was also an examiner). the chap in question was an excellent flyer, and knew the club rules and BMFA handbook inside out, but as soon as you mentioned 'test' he was a bag of nerves.

Maybe I shouldn't say this in public because it was expressed to me in private.
Alan... are you happy to continue with this thread because concern has been expressed that a BMFA examiner may not wish to talk shop all day. .... Are you happy with it?