The school
You learn on a buddy box
The field has an active flying school. You don’t need to buy anything for the first lessons: the club provides training models and transmitters.
Learners always fly next to an experienced member, the tutor, using the “student–instructor” buddy box. You carry on like this until the operations manager judges that you are independent and safe: then you fly solo.
How the buddy box works
Two transmitters linked by cable or wirelessly. The model obeys the student as long as the instructor holds down the trainer switch; when the instructor lets go, control returns to them at once.
- Instructor
- Holds the main transmitter and can take back the model at any moment.
- Student
- Flies with the second transmitter, as long as the instructor allows it.
Try before you join
Your first flight is free, with the instructor and the buddy box.
The path
From zero to your first solo flight
A free trial at the field
Book online one of the instructors’ days and try flying on a buddy box with a flying-school instructor, the training model and a club transmitter. No experience needed.
Joining
You become a member: with the annual fee and insurance you get the field, the equipment and the training models. For under-18s, a parent signs.
The simulator, at home
Before the lessons, you put in a few hours on a PC simulator: you learn the basic manoeuvres and get used to the transmitter. The regulations require it of learners.
A1/A3 certificate and d-flight
You get the EASA A1/A3 certificate online with a course and a multiple-choice test: from ENAC, or free from Luxembourg. Then you register as an operator on d-flight and put the QR code on your models.
Lessons with your tutor
Take-offs, circuits, landings: always on the buddy box, with an experienced member beside you, until the operations manager judges that you are independent.
Your first solo flight
The day your instructor no longer holds the switch. From then on, the field is yours too.
Get your A1/A3 certificate online, even for free
To fly as a member you need the EASA A1/A3 certificate: an online course and a multiple-choice test. It is valid for 5 years throughout the European Union.
For members, in the app: lesson days to book with the instructors and the logbook with the stages up to your first solo flight. Members' area →
What you need
To start, almost nothing
To get started
- the wish to learn and a little patience
- a few hours on a PC simulator
- a free day to come to the field
Provided by the club
- the training model
- the two linked transmitters
- the tutor, an experienced member
Your first model
- ideally a high-wing trainer, stable and sturdy
- a transmitter with the trainer (instructor–student) function
- before buying, ask the instructors for advice
For young people
You can start young
For years the field hosted the Model Flying Day for Kids, with dozens of young pilots and their models. Young people are welcome: for under-18s, a parent signs the membership application.
Frequently asked questions
The questions everyone asks us
Do I need my own model?
No. For the first lessons you use the club’s training models and transmitters.
Do I need the A1/A3 certificate to have a try?
No. For the free trial you don’t need any certificate: you fly on a buddy box with a flying-school instructor, who can take back the controls at any moment. To fly as a member you need the current year’s membership fee, model flying insurance, the A1/A3 certificate and the d-flight QR code, as the field regulations state.
How long does it take to fly solo?
It depends on how often you come to the field and how much you practise on the simulator. The operations manager gives the go-ahead when you are independent and safe.
Which simulator should I use?
There are several for PC, some of them free. Ask the instructors: they’ll recommend the right one and show you how to connect it to your transmitter.
Can I bring my child?
Yes. Young people are welcome; for under-18s, a parent signs the membership application.
Want to give it a try?
The first trial is free: pick one of the instructors’ days and book online. An instructor will call you to confirm.