The ‘Wings’ Program for R/C Flight qualification

1. Aim
1.1. To provide certification of a basic proficiency level for Radio Control model pilots enabling them to operate unsupervised. Pilots achieving the required level are entitled to hold the MFNZ ‘Wings’ qualification, endorsed to one or more of 10 disciplines, plus 3 specialist qualifications.

1.2. To meet the requirements of Civil Aviation Rule 101.205 for flying within 4km of aerodromes.

1.3. To provide a way of demonstrating a higher level of skill by completing an advanced test, with ‘advanced’ certification.

2. Method
2.1. MFNZ encourages all clubs to ensure that members follow this proficiency scheme and to ensure that all Radio Control pilots to obtain their ‘Wings’.

2.2. Many club flying sites, rallies and contests are on or near aerodromes and this qualification is mandatory to fly at those sites. The qualification provides ready proof of the holder’s skill level.

2.3. Within 4km of an aerodrome all pilots must either hold a ‘Wings’ qualification or operate under direct supervision of a ‘Wings’ qualification holder or an approved Instructor. Away from aerodromes trainees should not be considered safe to fly on their own until they have reached the ‘Wings’ standard.

2.4. The ‘Wing’s Qualification is compulsory for:
(a) all new flying members joining MFNZ.
(b) all members who fly at sites within 4km of an aerodrome.

Members are encouraged to gain ‘Wings’ qualifications at the earliest time.

2.5. Clubs should keep records of all the members holding ‘Wings’ qualification certification and forward to the MFNZ membership administrator the name(s) of members attaining the certification in the various disciplines.
 		 
3. Examiners and Instructors
3.1. Instructors
The role of the Instructor is to carrying out instruction in model aircraft flying and associated safety procedures.
Instructors will be proficient ‘Wings’ certified holders with the same discipline qualification that is being instructed. Instructors will be appointed by the club(s). Clubs will assess their membership and select their instructors to meet the above criteria. Clubs will forward the name and MFNZ number of each appointed instructor to the MFNZ membership administrator for recording in the Association’s database and the issue of a Instructors endorsement to the instructors membership card.

Instructors should be:
(a) Experienced proficient flyers that exhibit well-disciplined flying and operate in a safety conscious manner and are committed to training students to ‘Wings’ standard.

(b) Be willing to spend considerable time training without letting their own skills suffer.

(c) Have empathy with the student and be able to guide the student through the learning process.
The MFNZ Members Manual for students is available on the MFNZ web site. This MFNZ Members Manual is structured to guide students through training to ‘Wings ‘standard and also acts as a prompt to instructors and has a check list for the student to keep as a record of training progress.

3.2. Examiners
The role of the examiner is to carry out proficiency testing in accordance with the MFNZ proficiency scheme. The tests and Examiners checklists are to be conducted and completed by a club appointed examiner whose status has been register with the membership administrator.

Examiners will be Basic ‘Wings’ qualification holders. It is not required for the Examiner to be proficient in the skill being tested but they should be familiar with the requirements of the qualification being tested and may conduct ‘dummy tests’ with a qualification holder to understand the manoeuvres fully. Clubs will assess their membership and select their examiners to meet the above criteria. Clubs should keep a register of ‘Approved’ examiners and forward to MFNZ on an annual basis. To ensure a common standard among Examiners, Area Representatives will conduct Examiner workshops whereby methods and ideas can be exchanged. The membership secretary will issue an Examiner’s endorsement to the examiners membership card.


4. Qualification

There are 10 disciplines of Qualification:
Basic fixed wing Powered (BP)
Advanced Power (AP)
Glider (GD)
Advanced Glider (AG)
Helicopter (HP)
Advanced Helicopter (AH)
Multirotor (MR)
Advanced Multirotor (AM)
Basic Jet Turbine (BT)
Advanced Jet Turbine (AT)

There are additional specialist qualifications for the following categories:
Large fixed wing powered (LM)
First Person View (FP)
High Speed (HS)		  

5. Certification

5.1. The proficiency qualification gained will be issued by MFNZ in the form of an endorsement on the membership card. Applications should be made through Club Secretaries on the official form, signed by the examiner. Annual membership cards will show the details of all qualifications held, including ‘Instructor’ and ‘Examiner’. Members attaining a new qualification within the membership year may request the issue of a replacement membership card.

5.2. A pilot must be a current financial member of MFNZ to be the holder of a ‘Wings’ qualification and issue / retention of a ‘Wings’ qualification is at the discretion of the MFNZ Council.

5.3. Any qualification may be withdrawn by a club if the pilot is considered to be no longer able to satisfactorily meet the required standard. The ‘Wings’ qualification will be reissued upon the satisfactory passing of a full wings test. You can have your ‘Wings’ certification taken away if you become incapable of flying safely due to an ongoing medical condition such as failing eyesight. If you do not renew your MFNZ membership for 3 consecutive years you will be required to retake your qualification upon re-joining. Holders of qualifications from overseas organisations must take the MFNZ ‘Wings’ qualification in order to comply with CAA regulations to be familiar with NZ airspace law.

Testing Procedure

5.5. There are four parts to each basic proficiency ‘Wings’ test:
(a) The oral test
(b) Pre flight inspection of the model
(c) Pre flight procedures test
(d) The ‘flight test’
It is suggested that the ‘oral’ testing be done first.

5.6. Each part is marked on a competent/not yet competent basis and total mastery is required to qualify.

5.7. Retesting is permitted. The examiner may decide if a retest can be carried out on the same day or if there needs to be some retraining or consolidation before the retest.

5.8. A full guide to each test as well as test sheets and oral questions are included elsewhere on this website.