On March 18th 2016, the Australian Minature Aerosports Society Incorporated, amended the Flight Proficiency system to remove the Instructor Wings rating and instead, replace it with a process whereby someone wanting to be tested for their solo or advanced flight proficiency will approach their club's committee. In consultation, the committee and applicant would agree on a suitable person to be appointed as a one-time assessor.
The assessor would, in the opinion of the committee and/or via a vote of the club members, have all the appropriate skills and knowledge to assess the applicant, without fear or favour as to their suitability. If they pass,, both the assessor and a committee member would sign the wings test and forward it onto the AMAS secretary
After the test, the assessor would have no further role. They are not a permanent assessor able to go on testing wings. In the event of any dispute, the AMAS can be asked to appoint an assessor to conduct a flight proficiency assessment at a suitable place and time.
In this case, the votes were in favour and therefore the new wing testing program was implemented immediately.
The adoption of this motion in practical terms means that clubs now have the authority to choose who are
the most suitable people at any given time to instruct and also who is most appropriate to conduct a wings
test when requested. These can be different people and preferably should be and also will no doubt change
over time. We all know that the skills required to teach someone how to fly are very different from those
required by someone conducting a test.
On September 3rd 2016, the Australian Minature Aerosports Society Incorporated, amended the Flight Proficiency system with the motion introduced - a non-mandatory Flight Proficiency re currency in complementing the existing Solo and Advanced ratings. The purpose of this re currency is to amend the wings system to reflect a member’s current flying proficiency.
It will not change the existing Solo or Advanced wings rating but it will give the individual a way to test, track and record their current flight proficiency and it demonstrates that they take their own and other people’s safety seriously. It also provides a simple method when visiting other clubs to show your current flying proficiency.
This simple task will not be compulsory and the AMAS will simply record this re currency as a service to its members. However, everyone would be encouraged to do their MPR (Model Pilot Rating) assessment yearly.
It is proposed that the new rating will be called a Model Pilot Rating(MPR) and it differs significantly from existing wings in that it is dated and is a live document, meaning continually updatable.
The task would consist of three consecutive take offs, single circuits and landings coming to a complete stop in a controlled manner on the strip with any type of aircraft. Some risk assessment skills will also be required. It would be assessed under the normal AMAS Flight Proficiency assessment system.
Initially, every member would receive an MPR carrying an endorsement of “untested”. Following an MPR assessment an updated re currency would be attached to the rating. The endorsement would indicate the result of the most recent flight test by the assessor such as, but not limited to, Solo fixed wing 2016 (Solo FW 16) or, Requires Assistance (RA 16) or, requires buddy box (RBB 16) or heavy model 2016 (Solo HM 16) or multi rotor 2016 (Solo MR 16) etc. A member may self-assess that they require assistance ie for the beginner."
Furthermore, the AMAS Inc membership voted in favour of the addition to all the Training/Guidance/Assessment Material currently available on the AMAS website that all new technologies incorporating, for example 3 axis flight stabilisation available now or in the future be permitted to be used to assist the pilot in command of various types of models. Eg but not limited to Roll, Pitch, Yaw control
Rationale behind the approved motion, is use of this technology may allow novice or cognition challenged pilots to gain confidence more quickly, intermediate flyers have an alternate avenue to advance quicker, scale pilots flying more unstable variants may have less problems and older pilots with failing eyesight or other disabilities of older age may be assisted through safer model aircraft operation therefore mitigating risk. Pilots with Physical Disabilities may also then enjoy our wonderful hobby using modern technology. The Society membership already uses electronic programmable onboard systems on F/F models to control features such as Delayed Propeller Start, Auto Rudder, Variable Incidence Tail , Variable Incidence Wing, Wing Waggler, Remote Dethermaliser, Electronic Trackers and more recently Radio Assist and GPS finders. C/L models now have Programmable ESC controlling motor speed and power outputs at different aspects of flight, as well as R/C throttle control and multiple servos operating the many similar functions as Scale aircraft use eg, smoke, flaps, undercarriage retacts to name just a few. Gyros etc on helicopters to assist maintain stability of the craft. Multirotors are fitted with flight controllers. The modern transmitter has many programmable features to assist the pilot with easier and safer manoeuvres and operations. Furthermore an ever increasing number of RTF, ARF, Bind and Fly, PNP models are already available for purchase with these features as standard.