SPARKS Flight School Program

Students shall be trained in three phases with a demonstration of their proficiency documented by a Flight Instructor. These phases are Ground, Simulator and Field. Students may work with one or more Flight Instructors to complete the program.

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Phase 1                Ground School    

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Module 1              AMA Rules, Membership, TRUST

Module 2             SPARKS field protocol and safety

Module 3             Basic aeronautics

Module 4             RC aircraft types & electronics

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All students will receive a binder with Module 1 lessons and materials.   A multiple choice test will be administered before progressing to simulator training.

 

Phase 2              Simulator Training    

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Module 1             Preflight

Demonstrate knowledge of aircraft systems and perform preventive maintenance inspection on aircraft.

 

Module 2             Engine Start

Demonstrate knowledge of ground support equipment and perform a safe engine start.

 

Module 3             Take-off

Perform take-off while maintaining heading (no more than two wingspans from runway centerline), a smooth rotation and controlled transition to level flight at predetermined altitude and heading.

 

Module 4             Rectangular Pattern (at altitude)

Perform rectangular pattern while maintaining constant altitude and compensating for drift.

 

Module 5             Climbing and Descending Turns

Perform climbing and descending turns while maintaining smoothness of control, compensating for drift and controlling airspeed.

 

Module 6             Horizontal Figure 8 (from both directions)

Perform horizontal Figure 8 while maintaining constant altitude, compensating for drift and maintaining symmetrical circles.

 

Module 7             Stall Recovery (at altitude)

Perform power-on and power-off stall & recovery (at safe altitude).

 

Module 8             Steep Turns (bank angle greater than 50 degrees)

Perform (3 each direction) high G-turns while maintaining constant altitude and compensating for drift.

 

Module 9             Loops

Perform 3 consecutive loops while maintaining heading, compensating for drift and maintaining symmetrical circles.

 

Module 10          Missed Approaches

Perform (3 missed) approaches while maintaining directional control of aircraft at low airspeed and transitioning to flight configuration.

 

Module 11          Touch & Goes

Perform 3 touch & goes in both left and right hand pattern (6 total) while maintaining heading (no more than two wingspans from centerline), landing within a 10-meter long predetermined touch down zone and transitioning smoothly to take-off configuration.

 

Module 12          Full Stop Landing

Perform full stop landing while maintaining airspeed control, heading (no more than two wingspans from centerline), landing within a 10-meter long predetermined touch down zone and centerline heading during roll-out.

 

Module 13          Simulated Deadstick Landing

Perform simulated deadstick landing when called for (power stays at idle during maneuver) while maintaining airspeed control, heading (no more than two wingspans from centerline) and centerline heading during roll-out.

 

Proficiency will be evaluated by the Flight Instructor before progressing. These may be satisfied singularly or in combinations.

 

Phase 3                 Field Training

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Students will fly an electric high wing trainer using hands on training by a Flight Instructor to refine the 13 flight proficiency objectives. 

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Proficiency will be evaluated by the Flight Instructor before Diploma award. These may be satisfied singularly or in combinations.

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