OCM’s RC Pilot Training Program

The training program is designed for new-pilots wanting to learn the sport of RC flying and get a solo pilot certificate.  It is the responsibility of the student to use a simulator for initial training and make arrangements with one of the flight trainers listed below for training on an RC plane.  This certification only allows the trained pilot to fly at OCM’s current field.  .

Flight-Training Coordinator:

Mike Figler (848) 238-7752

Flight-Training Instructors:

Dave Sopronyi (609) 658-6919

Danny Ditursi (732) 818-1692

Ed Pasick (732) 423-3764

John O'Donnell (908) 489-2123

Mike Baiano (732) 672-2768

Joe Yuhasz (732) 818-3366

Louis Agoston (732) 928-2277

Sal Piu (732) 664-2688

Ed Hollema (201) 320-2872

Ground School Instructors:

Dennis Satterthwaite (732) 735-1028

John O'Donnell (908) 489-2123

Equipment:

Initial training will be on a Flight Simulator. The club can loan the equipment (Laptop, USB transmitter and HDMI cable) or you can acquire your own. Free simulators and controls that can be purchased are listed in the links below. Your own equipment can be used for training as long as it is approved by the flight instructor. 

Basic information on contol surfaces, transmitter use and beginners takeoffs, flying and landing.

Airplane Controls

How to Fly RC

Video tutorials.

Voro's videos

Basic simulator. Small bare bones program that will work on most any Windows PC.

FMS simulator

Simulator. Better Physics and Graphics requires a better Windows PC.

AFPD simulator

USB transmitter for use with PC simulator.

USB transmitter

USB dongle. Allows control of PC simulator with any Spektrum transmitter.

USB dongle

Who are considered student pilots?

If you are not identified as a certified pilot by OCM and listed in the club membership, then you are still considered as a student-pilot.

All prospective OCM members need to be checked out for his/her flying capability, even if you have flow at other AMA sanctioned flying fields, to determine if they can be granted solo-flight privileges.

Safety is our prime concern. We discourage student pilots to teach themselves all aspects of flying, this could risk the safety of everyone else present at the flying location.   Therefore, no-one is exempt from being checked out to fly solo.

 

Who can instruct or train a student pilot to learn how to fly a radio controlled model airplane?

Any experienced certified solo-pilot can train students how to fly provided they feel confident to do so. Final pilot certification must be by a OCM designated flight instructor to certify a pilot to fly solo.

What are the requirements to becoming an OCM certified solo-pilot?

The minimum requirements are identified in the student training log-booklet.  Student pilots should be capable of performing all of the maneuvers within the student training log-booklet prior to flight test or as determined by the certifying official.  It is recommended that each new student read and understand ground school, pit orientation and safety rules before certification is issued. You can find this information on this web site.

What to do if you are a new member having previously been considered a solo-pilot with another RC club?

If you are new member not identified as a solo pilot, but believe you are, please contact a flight instructor (listed above) so you can be checked out and certified.