OCM Training Program
The club has a training program which has evolved over the years for all new-pilots to use in
order to become an approved solo pilot. It is the responsibility of the
student to make arrangements with someone to provide adequate assistance
with this training program.
Who are considered student pilots?
If you are not identified as a pilot on the list of club members, then you are still considered as a student-pilot.
When anyone new shows up at the field or at a meeting, the perspective new member needs to be checked out for his/her flying capability to determine if he can be granted solo-flight privileges immediately or needs to be trained to some extent. Reason: we want to ensure all solo-pilots are capable of controlling the model throughout the entire flight using maneuvers described in OCM’s student training log-booklet. Student pilots need to follow the training process rather than attempt to teach themselves how to fly. If a student pilot attempts to teach themselves how to fly, this could risk the safety of everyone else present at the field. Therefore, no-one is exempt from being checked out to fly solo.
Who can instruct or train a student pilot to learn how to fly a radio controlled model airplane?
Any current solo-pilot can train students how to fly provided he feels confident to do so. I suggest pilots - whom have recently soloed within less than one year of solo-flying - not consider attempting to instruct someone. The philosophy here can be compared to a teenager recently passing the driving test, still within the one-year probationary period, and attempting to teach someone else how to drive based on all of his “experiences”.
There is one mandatory stipulation applicable for general solo-pilots to instruct a student: a buddy box is required during each training flight. Only a select list of pilots designated by the chief flight-training instructor are permitted teach students how to fly without a buddy box, and an even smaller list of pilots whom certify students as passing the solo-pilots’ test. This list of designated instructors has been referred to by several identifications over the years. We refer to this smaller list as Solo-Flight-Certifiers. For the most part, Solo-Flight-Certifiers can also teach students how to fly. Student pilots should be capable of performing all of the maneuvers within the student training log-booklet prior to their instructor recommending the student contacts one of the Solo-Flight-Certifiers to take the flight test. The student must demonstrate all the maneuvers within the flight training booklet to the Solo-Flight Certifiers as a minimum requirement.
Student-pilots need to get proper flight training while on a buddy-box system and to get lots of flight-time practice. When other pilots believe you are ready to try the solo-pilot-flight-test, contact one of the Solo-Flight-Certifiers to take the flight test.
List of Flight-Training Instructors as of 04/20/11:
Danny Ditursi (Chief Flight Instructor)
Salvatore Piu
Sal Filipone
Herb Wasserbach
Rich Heinrichs
Steve DeSanto
What are the requirements to becoming an OCM certified solo-pilot?
The minimum requirements are identified in the student training log-booklet. There may be a rare occasion where an additional logical, safety-type requirement(s) or arrangement(s) may be necessary for individuals with unusual situations.
What to do when you and other solo-pilots believe you are ready to be considered as a solo-pilot?
If you are member not identified as a solo pilot, but believe you are, please contact one of the Solo-Flight-Certifiers to take a flight test.
What to do if you are a new member having previously been considered a solo-pilot with another RC club?
If you are new member not identified as a solo pilot, but believe you are, please contact the chief flight instructor (click here to see the list of club contacts which includes the current chief flight instructor) to discuss your case.
List of Solo-Flight-Certifiers as of 4/20/11:
Danny Ditursi (Chief Flight Instructor)
Salvatore Piu
Rich Heinrichs