Humber Valley Flyers FAQ
Following are some of the more frequently asked questions about the club. Additional information is available on the Club Information Sheet.
If I join the club late in the year or just for the summer can I get a fee discount?
No. The membership is for the year even though members use the field mostly from May to October. The field is open all year round and many members fly throughout the winter.
Do I have to pay the new member one time joining fee?
This fee applies to all adult members for the first year only. Junior members are exempt from this fee.
Membership varies from year to year averaging about 130 members. For any given year about 1/4 of the membership are students.
How can I learn to fly?
Humber Valley offers free flight instruction Tuesday and Thursday evenings from May to September. Instruction can also be prearranged for Saturday and Sunday afternoons after 2:00pm. Instructors are qualified expert pilots who volunteer their time, however there is no guarantee that an instructor will be available. The chief instructor tries to organize things such that a minimum of 2 instructors will show up each Tuesday and Thursday after 6:00pm. Sometimes weather and personal affairs limit instructor availability. The best way to learn to fly is to show up as much as possible. On any given night there may be many students or none at all and one or more instructors. You just basically take turns. On a bad night you may not be able to fly. On a good night you may get many flights. It all depends on supply and demand, weather, luck, etc.
Can I pay an instructor to teach me?
No. There are a few pay services advertised in the US, but virtually all clubs instruct purely on a volunteer basis. This ensures that instructors assess a student’s flying skills objectively and avoids jealousy between members who may not be able to afford additional fees.
What kind of plane should I buy?
Go to a good hobby shop that specializes in RC flying and listen to their advice. There is a list of hobby shops under the Links button. Start with a high-wing, tricycle landing gear, 40 to 60 size trainer. You can build your first model from a kit but many students start with an ARF (Almost Ready to Fly) plane.
Flight time varies with engine size and size of your fuel tank. A 40 size engine will run for about 15 minutes on an 8 ounce tank. You should normally fly for about 10 minutes to be sure you don’t run out of fuel in flight (called a dead stick). Your transmitter can control the plane for a distance of about one mile. However, the limiting factor is how far you can clearly see the plane and judge its altitude and direction.
What is a buddy box and do I need one?
A buddy box is a second transmitter box (without the electronics) connected to the live transmitter with an umbilical cord. The Instructor uses the master transmitter while you use the buddy box. The instructor can give you control and take it away the moment you get into trouble (and you will) and save your plane to fly another day. Buddy boxes are mandatory at Humber Valley and can be purchased at the hobby shop when you purchase your radio.
How do I know if my plane is built correctly?
When you buy or build a new plane you must bring it to the field and have it safety checked by an experienced pilot before an instructor will fly with you. Beginner built planes will usually have several deficiencies that need to be corrected. We have seen planes with 25 things wrong, just based on lack of building experience. But that's what the club is for - to help you build correctly and fly safely. Beginners that are building their own planes are encouraged to bring their planes to a club meeting during the winter to get advice from experienced builders.
How can I learn more quickly?
Your learning rate will depend on your inherent eye-hand coordination and the amount of time you have available to spend at the field. The best thing to do is go to the field as often as you can and ask lots of questions. Bring your plane and ask for advice. Advice is free and there is lots of it at the field.
If you can afford it, a simulator is a great learning aid. Simulators today are very realistic and will give you a big head start on flying skills. They are also great later on for comparing flight characteristics of different planes or trying a new maneuver on the simulator before trying it in the air.
How do I become an RC pilot?
All students are given a student log book and log flights with instructors. Instructors will teach you basic maneuvers and safety. When you can take off, perform basic maneuvers, and land safely, you will be given a flight test and if you pass you will be awarded your “wings”. Then you can fly solo at the Humber Valley field.
Do I have to get my own MAAC insurance?
We prefer you get your own MAAC insurance and you must have it to fly at our field. Contact MAAC at www.maac.ca or at 905-632-9808. However, if you give your application and cheque to a club executive, he can send it in for you and you are considered insured immediately.
Can I fly my plane by myself?
Not at the Humber Valley field until you have been cleared to fly solo by a Humber Valley Instructor. There is no law saying that you must fly with an instructor. However, MAAC safety rules state that you will not be covered by insurance if you fly on your own before you are trained by a qualified pilot. Therefore, even if you belong to MAAC, you will not be covered by liability insurance if you fly without being trained by a qualified instructor. The reality is that if you try to fly on your own, without expert assistance, you will likely crash your plane within seconds of takeoff. Please govern yourself accordingly. If you attempt solo flight at Humber Valley’s field before you have passed the flight test and received your wings, your membership will be revoked.
How do I join?
Pick up an application form at the field, from our web site or from your favorite hobby shop. Mail in the application and cheque to the address on the form. The treasurer will mail you a member card and field gate key. If someone is at the field, the gate may be closed but it is usually unlocked. The last person leaving should lock the gate.