The FMA Co-Pilot
"There is a Better Way!!!"
In the R/C world of training there are currently three methods of
training new
pilots. The purpose of this page is not to criticize
any technique,
or instructor,
but only to describe their virtues.
The Co-Pilot does
not remove
the need for an instructor!
Buddy Box
The favorite method today is the "buddy box". This method
requires two transmitters be linked together with a cable. The
instructor has a "training switch" which transfers control of the
plane
to and from the student. When the student needs help,
the instructor
simply takes his finger off the "trainer switch" and
the flies the airplane.
The transfer process takes a long second
plus the instructor's reaction
time. The aircraft is at high risk
for damage, especially when
low to the ground, during
landing
and
takeoff, and generally there's not enough time to "save" the
aircraft. The student uses "trial and error" method to learn
how to control the aircraft.
As far as teaching goes, the instructor is general
giving
verbal cues, and the student learns to fly strictly by
trial and error. The student's actually flying time is reduced
by the amount of time the instructor needs to get the plane
re-oriented after a save. Anxiety is common with close calls.
Pass the Box Back & Forth
The second method is "grab the transmitter". This method is nothing
more than handing the transmitter back and forth to the student from
the instructor. As long as everything is fine the student gets to fly, but
when the plane is "going in" the instructor is expected to "grab" the
transmitter and save the plane. This methods works some of the time,
especially when the airplane has altitude. The aircraft is at high risk of
being damaged.
As far as teaching goes, the instructor is general
giving
verbal cues,
and the student learns to fly strictly by
trial and error. The student's
actually flying time is reduced
by the amount of time the instructor
needs to get the plane
re-oriented after a save. The student is under
a tremendous
amount of stress using this technique.
CRRT (Clarence Ragland Tactile Technique)
A third method, the instructor stands next to and behind the student,
and places his right thumb and fingers under the student's thumb. This
method,
known as the "Clarence Ragland Method" and allows the
student
pilot
to "feel" the proper movements used to fly the model
aircraft. As far as
current training methods go, this is a much better
technique than the other
two.
Simply because the student "feels" the inputs needed to fly the aircraft,
and there is no lag time for the
instructor to regain control of the
airplane.
The airplane's risk of damage
is low. The student learns very rapidly by feeling the
proper inputs.
The Co-Pilot
The FMA-Direct Co-Pilot, is yet another piece of training equipment
that
has revolutionized how students learn to fly radio controlled aircraft.
This
equipment stabilizes the plane, so that it is always level. When the
student
gets into trouble, all that's required to "save" the plane is to
center the
right
stick. Another huge problem that affects students is
wind! The plane is
bounced around, especially on landings or takeoffs,
with
the Co-Pilot, the
bouncing is gone! Missing lessons because of wind
are a
thing of the past.
Another plus of using the Co-Pilot, the student feels at ease after just
a
few minutes into the first lesson. So learning the control movements
can be learned very quickly.
The biggest problem an instructor
has,
is
trying
to decide
on how to use this
fantastic new piece of technology.
At the 2nd R/C Flight School, we have incorporated the "best" training
methods, plus utilizing the new FMA-Direct Co-Pilot.
Depending
on the experience level, all students start with the Co-Pilot sensitivity
set at
50% using the Ragland Method. Within minutes the
student is
flying by himself, with the instructor only giving verbal cues.
After the student has landed and made a takeoff, the instructor
begins
reducing the Co-Pilot control. As the control is reduced and finally turned
off
then student is required to "fix" his own mistakes. However, in the
mean
time he has already learned directional control, take off and landing
techniques,
so now it becomes one more "thing" to learn, without being
over whelmed. The Co-Pilot "technique" is the best of all worlds, the
student
always gets to fly his mistakes, plane damaged risk is reduced,
no missed
lessons because of windy days, the student learns much
quicker and with
much less stress! The Co-Pilot allows a true step by
step
instructional
program.
The biggest problem with learning to fly radio controlled aircraft, is
the
large amounts of skill and knowledge the student has to learn up front!
Going back to basics, as babies, we learned to roll over, sit up, crawl,
walk
and then run. I don't believe that any of us were nervous, plus we
learned
rapidly. The Ragland/Co-Pilot technique accomplishes a very
complicated
task the same way. The student learns the basics first and
then builds on
previous lessons.
By the way, ground school and taxi practice are all still required before
the
student has his first flight. The Co-Pilot is used with the
Ragland
Method,
then maybe, with a buddy box and then turned off! It is possible
to crash
an aircraft with a Co-Pilot, simply stall the aircraft.
However,
with
the
NexStar and its anti-stall droops and training flaps, the plane
has to
virtually
stop in mid air for it to stall! It is the perfect aircraft use
with
the Co-Pilot.
Instructors
For instructors or instructors to be, reading this: Take all the
technology
that is at your disposal, and make it work for your
students. Get them in
air
without all the problems that we had as
beginners. "Old" instructors, get
the "cardboard" out of your shoes
and put the student first! Try something
NEW!
Happy Landings
Greg Shane
