BMFA "A" & "B" Multirotor certs

[stevec]

Unless the CAA recognise it as a standard of flying and means we don't need BNUC-s to do commercial work...

[MarkLincs]

Unless the CAA recognise it as a standard of flying and means we don't need BNUC-s to do commercial work...

Rubish

The BMFA B helicopter used to be okay for commercial work this has been revoked since BNUCs

Remember BMFA is Model flying only Not Comerical flying

Big difference ;)

[Gundummy]

Ok this is your driving test - please ensure:

   
• You do not wear a seat belt.
• You disable the airbags if fitted.
• Do not use indicators.
• Do not use Mirrors.
• Do not use the handbrake.

blah blah blah ..... it just doesn't make any sense to me.

[Heliotrope]

And the point of it is?

[Gundummy]

Why have all the safety features... and not be able to utilise them ...

(I should of put that in i suppose!) 

[BigT]

Well I am going to have a go at the  A at the weekend. Might as well set a responsible positive example to the members. Mind you I will need to practice flying in total manual mode especially for the lazy 8. Be like when I started flying fixed pitch helicopters 30 years ago.

[jamesb72]

I know BMFA bashing is popular here but what do you think the test should be ?

1. Preprogram waypoints to take off, fly a left hand circuit then land - press start on laptop/tablet, twiddle thumbs and chat while flight is completed ?

2. Take off in full GPS/IOC hover at 5ft for 30 seconds (eyes open or closed optional), fly forward 50ft, flick RTH switch and watch quad return to start position, land and shutdown ?

If this is a flying ability test then it seems pretty sensible to fly without self levelling or GPS, otherwise not sure what its checking - that your quad works (hopefully wouldn't be your first ever flight anyway).

The purpose of the A test is generally just to show new pilots understand how to conduct a flight safely and can demonstrate basic control, so they can fly unaccompanied, obviously flying fixed wing or heli's at a club this was for good reason.

Re driving test examples above, its more like taking a driving test in the google self driving car - not sure it would be a good idea, or any test of your driving ability.

I think its good that BMFA recognise multirotors and are trying to include them, even if the A/B aren't for everyone.

[BigT]

+1 and there is a need to ensure public safety at shows etc which is why the B is there just as it is with fixed wing and rotary. Anything that improves safety in a club environment is a plus.

[Loopdreams]

I think self-levelling should be allowed.  The feature is common to nearly all multirotors and the majority of people nveer even want to fly in full manual mode.  Multirotors only fly due to the computer and so it's a completely arbitrary subtraction from their capabilities.  It would be like disallowing planes which are designed to be self-levelling to a degree (i.e. trainers) for the fixed-wing test.  I agree, though that autopilot features shouldn't be allowed as they just aren't relevant to a club setting.

[BigT]

Good point. I must look up the rule for flybar less heli in the test. Personally although I have A heli I never could get the hang of nose in hover and really struggled with normal circuits. I think it was because I spent far to long in the tail in hover. Anyway going to have a practice today with kk2 (finger on the stabilise switch)

[jamesb72]

Fbl heli rules are same, no self levelling allowed, if your fbl unit has the capability you have to demonstrate its disabled for the test flight.

I did my heli tests a few years back and it was painful trying to convince the examiner that beastx was ok, he was also baffled by electric heli and newfangled computer transmitter and I didnt get confirmation for a few weeks as they had to double check with technical delegate who hadnt heard of beastx in 2012 :-)

Most people arent interested in taking these tests which is understandable, but I think its a useful exercise for everyone to try to fly the manouvres anyway, ideally in manual but if you can only manage in self levelling or gps thats still useful practice.

Its easy to just fly around without really planning, but trying to fly a set course over cones or markers is a great way to improve even if you never want or plan to take a test.

[mjc1970]

To my knowledge, I was the second person to pass the new Multi-rotor test last night shortly after a fellow club member.  I was going to attempt the B, but the diminishing light around 20:15 got the better of this.

I have questioned a fair few points within the B test, not least the now infamous Loop maneuver which you have to perform (this is getting a lot of comments along with the use of stabilization on other forums).  Years ago, the loop was part of the Heli B test along with an auto, but that has subsequently been removed now.  In my opinion, performing a loop with the entry and exit positions at the same height is incredibly tricky with a multi and further guidance needs to be provided on the success of the maneuver.

I know a lot of members on here are anti BMFA, but within our club at Leicester we have an ever growing number of FPVers who fly at the club under the BMFA rules and also fly elsewhere as they see fit. We have got to the stage now, where we are about to introduce a Peg board system (not for 35Mhz as has been the case previously, but for 5.8 Video frequencies). Not all clubs are anti FPV, as long as it's done within the rules.

The new A and B multi-rotor tests are there to give new multi rotor pilots (not necessarily FPV multi rotors pilots) the chance to attain this certificate within the BMFA and I personally feel it's a good idea and was recommended as part of a BMFA Multi-rotor special interest group back in early 2013. It's early doors and may get revised with further feedback.    I'll have a go at the B and see if we can perfect this loop. I have no issue with any of the other maneuvers in rate mode on the B test.

All good fun and something to aim for.

[Shikra]

Well I am going to have a go at the  A at the weekend. Might as well set a responsible positive example to the members. Mind you I will need to practice flying in total manual mode especially for the lazy 8. Be like when I started flying fixed pitch helicopters 30 years ago.

Good luck!

[Shikra]

Think thats a reasonable manoeuvre for the test? Its certainly possible, but I'm not convinced. I think that one restricts the flyer to multis of a certain power / weight ratio if want a decent size smooth even loop.

Thought perhaps a few others like stall turns - pull up to vertical, rotate etc. might be more achievable. Actually even controlled flips demonstrate a higher ability than A cert.

So do you need to have a multi-rated tester? Or can a heli one do it

I have questioned a fair few points within the B test, not least the now infamous Loop maneuver which you have to perform (this is getting a lot of comments along with the use of stabilization on other forums).  Years ago, the loop was part of the Heli B test along with an auto, but that has subsequently been removed now.  In my opinion, performing a loop with the entry and exit positions at the same height is incredibly tricky with a multi and further guidance needs to be provided on the success of the maneuver.

[mjc1970]

So do you need to have a multi-rated tester? Or can a heli one do it

I have questioned a fair few points within the B test, not least the now infamous Loop maneuver which you have to perform (this is getting a lot of comments along with the use of stabilization on other forums).  Years ago, the loop was part of the Heli B test along with an auto, but that has subsequently been removed now.  In my opinion, performing a loop with the entry and exit positions at the same height is incredibly tricky with a multi and further guidance needs to be provided on the success of the maneuver.

A Heli Examiner can test the A, you need two examiners (at least one heli examiner) for the B.