Flight Training

So you want to be an remote controlled aircraft pilot? Well you're in the right place!  The 495th Squadron, Inc. has a great group of very experienced pilots who are willing to help you learn how to fly.  Our flight instructors are at the field every Thursday night and Sunday afternoon during the Spring and Summer months. Feel free to stop by the field if you have questions while you are building your first plane also.  All of the flight instructors are there because they want to help you learn, so don't be afraid to ask for help!

The flight training program of the 495th R/C Squadron, Inc. is designed to help you become a safe, proficient flyer.  In the program you will learn field safety, how to inspect your airplane, and, of course, the basics of flying.  Most of what you learn will be by the examples given to you by your instructor and practice, practice, practice.  To help you know what to expect we have a Flight Instruction Manual that you can read before you get started.  The Manual also lists the requirements you will have to meet in order to earn your Solo Certificate.

Good luck and happy flying!

Student Materials

When you decide to learn to fly R/C with our training program there is some information you should read before your first flight lesson. The 495th R/C Squadron, Inc. Flight Instruction Manual has this information. Click here to go to the manual.

How to Instruct R/C Flying

All our instructors follow the same basic set of steps to teach students how to fly. If you are interested in becoming an instructor or just seeing how instructors will approach your training take a look at this guide. Click here to go to the manual.

 
AMA Intro Pilot Program

Under the direction of Club President Ron Quattrochi, the 495th R/C Squadron, Inc. established an AMA Intro Pilot Program beginning in 2004. This AMA sponsored program will allow a non-AMA member to fly at the field and receive member AMA liability insurance protection as long as he/she is flying under the direct supervision of a club-designated Introductory Pilot. The Introductory Pilot must hold a current open class AMA membership license with the "Intro Pilot" classification.  Supervised flights must take place at an AMA Chartered Club's field, and must be closely supervised in a one-on-one relationship. The non-AMA member will have the same liability insurance coverage that other AMA members receive, solely under the direct, one-on-one supervision of the Intro Pilot, for a period of 30 consecutive days starting from the first session. No other AMA benefits are provided to the non-AMA member.

The Intro Pilot program will give the Club the opportunity introduce new members to the sport of radio control model aviation using the "buddy-box" training system while maintaining full AMA liability insurance coverage! This program will be a wonderful tool with which to introduce groups such as the Cub Scouts to model aviation!

The Club has designated four (4) pilots, Jim Thompson, Dick Adams, Dave Silva and Chris Rines to serve as Intro Pilots for the 495th R./C Squadron, Inc.