Are you a Qualified flyer and NVRC member? Have you passed the NVRC flight test to fly solo? Does your membership badge have a YELLOW or PINK band on it?
Our “colored band” on your membership badge easily identifies NVRC members that are qualified pilots and non-qualified pilots.
As members interested in SAFETY, we should all be observant of pilots with YELLOW and PINK banded badges. If you see a member flying alone who has one of these badges, you are obligated to ask them if they need assistance and help them prepare to pass their flight test.
In order to fly solo at Poplar Ford or Lorton Field members must pass the pilot qualification.
Before a member has passed their flight test, they are allowed to fly at the field so long as any other solo-qualified NVRC member is supervising and helping them to prepare for the test. And we’re friendly, so just ask anyone at the field for help!
Fixed Wing Solo Pilot Qualification Requirements
To obtain a GREEN band solo pilot badge, you must pass the NVRC flight test. The test consists of the following criteria:
- You must have a current AMA license and be a Club member in good standing.
- You must be recommended for qualification flight by your current instructor.
- You must know Club by-laws, AMA, and Club safety rules.
- You need to complete a preflight safety inspection, start engine and taxi aircraft safely to the runway, unassisted.
- You need to demonstrate a satisfactory takeoff and climb out.
- You need to execute a 180-degree turn away from the flight line after climb out and demonstrate control of a straight-line fly-by.
Perform, on request of the flight instructor:
- A flat horizontal figure-eight in both directions.
- A satisfactory inside loop while maintaining correct altitude and direction.
- Two satisfactory Immelmann turns:
– One going away from pilot
– One coming toward pilot
- Stall the aircraft and recover satisfactorily.
- Satisfactory left and right fly-by approaches.
- Climb to altitude of 200 ft or more. Flight Instructor will cut throttle to idle without warning to simulate a dead stick condition. Pilot must call out “dead stick” and land the aircraft on the runway satisfactorily without increasing throttle.
Any two NVRC qualified flyers or one Certified Flight Instructor can administer the flight test. After completion you can submit your signed solo-qualification sheet using the website and get upgraded to a GREEN band badge.
Multi-Rotor Solo Pilot Qualification Requirements
Multi-rotors (aka quads or ‘drones’) and other rotary wing aircraft (helicopters) require very different flying skills from fixed wing aircraft. To fly multi-rotor solo a Poplar Ford Field there is a separate flight test. It is not required to pass the fixed wing flight test to take the multi-rotor flight test.
To obtain a GREEN band badge for Multi-Rotor you must pass the NVRC flight test. The test consists of the following criteria:
- You must have a current AMA license and be a Club member in good standing.
- You must be recommended for qualification flight by your current instructor.
- You must know all Club by-laws, AMA, and Club safety rules.
- You need to complete a preflight safety inspection
Multicopter Flight Test
- Hover with control
- Fly a square clockwise and counter-clockwise
- Spin the craft while at same altitude (clockwise and counter-clockwise)
- Fly straight out at level altitude to a distance of at least 50 feet. Turn the aircraft 180
degrees, to point back at the pilot, and return home - Climb and descend 100 feet maintaining same location with respect to a spot on ground
(within 10 foot radius) accounting for wind if necessary - Demonstrate return-to-home (if available on quad)
- Land safely at home position
- Know the field and safety rules
Any two NVRC qualified flyers or one Certified Flight Instructor can administer the flight test. After completion you can submit your signed solo-qualification sheet using the website and get upgraded to a GREEN band badge.