Training and Solo/Instructor certification

Code of Practice
Club rules
Application form

Download a printable version of this policy

1. Training Officer role

  • The LMAS Committee will appoint a Training Officer who will coordinate and oversee the solo and instructor certification processes.
    • The Training Officer will coordinate and oversee the solo and instructor certification processes.
    • At minimum they must hold a solo certification, but do not have to hold an instructor rating.
    • Members wishing to achieve their BMFA A or B certificates can approach the Training Officer who will pair them with a BMFA examiner in that class of model (if one is available within the current membership) or advise them how they may achieve this (i.e. via National Centre assessment days).

2. New pilot training

  • The experience level of new members will be captured as part of the application process.
  • New members requiring training are contacted by the Secretary/Training Officer on joining to ascertain their needs.
  • Secretary/Training Officer will pair member with an Instructor in the class of model(s) requested. The member must only fly with an instructor present until they have achieved their solo certification.
  • If the new member has insufficient experience to complete a solo flight assessment and no instructor is available in that class of model the Secretary/Training Officer will inform the member and offer them a refund if they wish to leave the LMAS.

3. Solo flight certification

* – On implementation of this policy in Q2 2021 a one-time assessment will be made of all current members by the Training Officer and Committee. Solo ratings may be granted to experienced pilots with at least 2 years LMAS membership without a flying test if they have a good record of safe flying in the LMAS)

  • All new members wishing to fly solo* at the RFC or Wilbury Hills sites must complete a safe flight in full compliance with the LMAS rules and COP observed by the Training Officer, a committee member or an instructor, including pre and post-flight checks:
    • The standard of flying should be in line with the BMFA A test, but no compulsory manoeuvres are required other than a safe take-off and landing.
  • Candidates will be told on the day whether they have passed. If they have not met the standard they will be told what they need to work on with an instructor to achieve a solo rating.
  • Results of successful solo flight assessments will be passed to and recorded by the Secretary for reference by the committee.

4. Instructor certification

  • Any member with a solo rating can apply to the Training Officer for approval to instruct against a specific category of model (e.g. fixed wing, helicopter or multirotor).
    • No member can instruct at the RFC or Wilbury Hills sites without the relevant instructor rating.
  • The Training Officer (or another Committee member deputising) will discuss with the member their goals and experience in instructing and their knowledge of flying at the LMAS sites. They will either:
    • Sign off the member to instruct against the model category requested with no flying demonstration (experienced pilots of at least 2 years LMAS membership only).
    • Request the member carries out a buddy box training session as an instructor with the Training Officer or other committee member as remote pilot, after which a decision is made on their instructor rating for that class of model. The Training Officer will be looking for clear communication and safe instruction from pre-flight through the flight and on to the debrief.
    • Reject the request to instruct until more experience is gained with that class of model.
  • Results of successful Instructor rating assessments will be passed to and recorded by the Secretary for reference by the committee.

Annex – Solo certification questions

Some questions have been directly taken from the BMFA Achievement Scheme mandatory questions. Assessor will ask at least 4; all answers are within the Article 16 Authorisation, LMAS CoP or related docs.  Word perfect answers are not required, but candidates should demonstrate knowledge of the CoP and Article 16 Authorisation under which we fly.

  1. What are the minimum distances to uninvolved persons when flying under the CAA Article 16 Authorisation at LMAS sites a) during flight and b) on take-off/landing?
  2. What is the maximum model weight that can be flown at the RFC and Wilbury Hills sites?
  3. Can you fly your model aircraft or drone out of sight behind trees?
  4. What are the 4 criteria which define whether a mandatory LMAS incident report is required?
  5. Certain types of incident require reporting to the CAA and/or AAIB. How would you determine whether such a report is required?
  6. Can a pilot with a solo rating instruct others at an LMAS site?
  7. In what documents would you find details of the take-off, flight, approach and landing areas (plus reporting boundaries) for LMAS sites?
  8. Where should pilots stand when operating the model type you are flying today? (Answer will vary depending on the LMAS site and model type)
  9. What must an FPV pilot have present to fly under the CAA Article 16 Authorisation, and what is the maximum mass of an FPV aircraft that can be flown? (FPV pilots only)
  10. Fill in the gaps…. “A model aircraft or drone Operator making use of the CAA Article 16 Authorisation must be a member of ….., have their ….. clearly displayed on the aircraft and ensure the remote pilot is in possession of the relevant …. .”