Pilot Proficiency Program

A system of proficiency levels has been established in order to promote flying safety, advance the skills of the membership, and reduce the risk to neighbors and spectators to acceptably low levels.

There are four levels of proficiency, each identified by a number and a color. Club membership cards are provided with a colored background to indicate the proficiency level achieved by the member. Prior to passing the first level, an individual is necessarily assumed to be in a training stage. In the training period, flying at the field is not allowed without an instructor or instructor designate at the side of the student pilot. This precaution is necessary to ensure that the pilot stays within the bounds of our designated flying area at all times, to take control in an emergency, and to assist in the development of flying skills.

A list of qualified instructors can be found in this document: Training Instructor Sign-Up List.

Descriptions and diagrams of the maneuvers referenced below can be found in the 2007-2008 AMA Rule Book.

Level 1 - Red

This proficiency level or higher is required to have the privilege of unaccompanied flight at the club field. It is meant to represent the minimum degree of control and ability with powered aircraft to satisfy reasonable safety considerations. The pilot is required to demonstrate the following maneuvers to pass this level:

• unassisted take-off
• controlled 360-degree turns to the right and left
• ability to keep the entire flight pattern within the flying field limits
• altitude control with 180-degree right and left turns
• emergency landing procedure
• traffic pattern approach with landing perfection

Level 2 - Blue

This level represents an increased development of flight safety skills and basic maneuvers. The pilot is required to demonstrate the following maneuvers to pass this level:

• an inside loop
• a roll
• an Immelmann turn
• a figure eight
• a stall turn
• straight flight out, procedure turn, and straight flight back
• spot landing (two successful landings out of three attempts, in which the aircraft touches down within a fifty foot radius of a designated spot)

Level 3 - Silver

This is the first level which will earn a pilot his or her wings. The maneuvers in this level are more difficult and will test your ability to control an aircraft. The pilot is required to demonstrate the following maneuvers to pass this level:

• three rolls
• three inside loops
• three outside loops
• a touch-and-go
• a four-point roll
• a three-turn spin
• a horizontal eight
• a Cuban eight

Level 4 - Gold

This is the highest level in the program. The pilot is required to demonstrate the following new maneuvers to pass this level:

• a figure M
• a double Immelmann
• a reverse Cuban eight
• a slow roll (five seconds)
• a top hat

In addition to the new maneuvers, all of the previous maneuvers must be executed in the listed order. When complete, you will be rewarded with your gold wings.

Adobe Acrobat version of the Pilot Proficiency Program .

Adobe Acrobat version of the Pilot Proficiency Checklist .

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