Flight Instruction, Learning to Fly

THANK YOU FOR YOUR INTEREST IN RADIO-CONTROLLED FLIGHT TRAINING WITH LARGO FLYING CLUB!
YOU HAVE MADE A WISE CHOICE BY SEEKING HELP.
We have heard the classic story where an enthusiast will purchase a model and attempt to fly it without experienced help. Without experience, this WILL result in a crash. The sad part is that this person loses their initial investment as well as their interest in the hobby because they fear it is too hard to learn or frequent crashes will become too expensive. By seeking experienced help you will learn to fly proficiently in a safe manner in a relatively short time with minimal risk to your model.

HOW DOES FLIGHT TRAINING AT LFC WORK?
Flight training is FREE at LFC for all full members in good standing. You will establish yourself as a student when you become a club member. You will receive flight instruction from the Chief Flight Instructor and/or one of his Designated Flight Instructors. While the instructors are often at the field and available, do not assume they will always be there. It is suggested that you touch base often with your instructor or schedule your lessons to guarantee someone will be on hand to help you.

BUDDY-BOX APPROACH
At LFC, we instruct our students using a “buddy-box” system. For those who are not familiar with this concept, it involves two transmitters linked together wirelessly or by a cable. The instructor will use the master controller and the student will use the slave controller. The master controller has a spring-loaded switch so the instructor can give (or take) control of the model to the student in an instant at any time. By utilizing this method the student is free to concentrate on their lesson without the fear of crashing or having to land your model on your first attempt.

THE CURRICULUM
Here is a basic overview of the lessons in the order as taught. Each student will advance at their own pace.
1. Straight and level flight. Concentrate on keeping the wings level while flying in a straight line in all directions (left to right, right to left, away from you and towards you)
2. Left turns while maintaining consistent level altitude
3. Right turns while maintaining consistent level altitude
4. Figure 8 patterns in both directions while maintaining consistent level altitude
5. Landing approach pattern from both directions
6. Fly as close to the runway as possible WITHOUT TOUCHING IT
7. Touch and go
8. Landing from both directions
7. Taking off

SOLOING – BECOMING AN LFC QUALIFIED PILOT
When you and your instructor agree that you are ready you will test for your solo license. You will be required to demonstrate your flying ability without the use of a buddy-box in front of an instructor and a witness. FLYING SOLO AT LARGO FLYING CLUB FIELD WITHOUT A SOLO LICENSE IS PROHIBITED.

LARGO FLYING CLUB AUTHORIZED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS:

Chief Flight Instructor
Matt Ahlersmeyer
matt.ahlersmeyer@gmail.com
727-214-7288
Designated Flight Instructors
Ray Crumrine: 727-224-3301, weekend mornings, weekday evenings after 4 PM by appointment
Shawn Dubois: 727-417-4432, weekday evenings by appointment
Vic Tyber: 727-452-3823
Mike Bluestein: 513-476-1707