The B Test Thread

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7 years 11 months ago - 7 years 11 months ago #8522 by JonTappin
Replied by JonTappin on topic The B Test Thread

MikeSeale wrote: I was attempting to encourage people to have a go by pointing out that the B certificate is not a test of your aerobatic prowess and that you do not need to learn Aresti diagrams. I think that most of our members will be put off by your posts. Perhaps Jon can set the record straight?


I think it would be fair to say you are both right Mike. You are correct that it is not intended to be like an aerobatic competition flight and a fixed schedule is by no means necessary.

However John also has a point in that flying a repeatable schedule, in my opinion, will help when it comes to the test, as you will not have to worry about what to do next and how to get into position for the next manouvre during the test, as you will already have planned and practiced it. That is not to say you have to copy John's schedule, I think that is just his suggestion in order to assist.

I suggested to Chris that he worked out his flight pattern so that each time he practiced, he did it the same way, he tried it and it worked for him. During the test you don't want to be worrying about how you are going to get from exiting one manouvre to the start of the other, pre planning removes this issue, the flight will seem more familiar and should make the pilot feel more relaxed about the test.

End manouvres can be whatever you want, reversals, 1/2 cubans etc or just 180 or 360 deg turns, it doesn't matter.

The side benefit of preplanning your flight is that it is likely to appear much more in control and planned from the examiners perspective and fundamentally this is what the examiner wants to see. It is more about being in control and being safe, than it is about precision of the manouvres, they obviously need to be of a reasonable standard but certainly not perfect.

Having said all of the above, if the pilot just wants to wing it on the day, that's their choice as long as they can demonstrate the required standard.

Initially the pilot just needs to practice each required manouvre individually until they are comfortable with all of them, after that is when you would think about stringing them all together.

Hope that helps.
Last edit: 7 years 11 months ago by JonTappin.

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7 years 11 months ago - 7 years 11 months ago #8523 by JonTappin
Replied by JonTappin on topic The B Test Thread

AlanF wrote: I would like to have a go at the B this year.
Judging from my attempts on Sunday getting an accurate exit from a 3 turn spin I have much work to do :(

First question(s):
The Schedule talks about loops and rolls being performed into wind or down wind etc. Do we establish a flight-line depending on the wind direction or can we fix a flight-line parallel to the runway and perform loops and rolls crosswind?
Can we choose?
At what point is the flight-line established?
Is the order of maneuvers fixed?


Hi Alan

Due to the restrictions of the field, we would set the flightline up and down the field as we do for normal flying, which means you could end up flying in a cross wind if that is the wind condition on the day. One of the fundamentals of the test is to establish a 'crowd line' which if crossed would be an instant fail, this is due to the test being to ensure the pilot would be deemed safe to fly at a public event. Obviously at a public event, show or competition, you would have a fixed flight line irrespective of wind direction. For Cashmoor it is sensible that this would be our normal 'dead line' in line with the pilots box.

If on the day of your test the wind was a severe cross wind, you would probably elect not to take the test on that day and wait for better conditions. If you were at a public event having passed your B and you weren't happy with the conditions, I would hope that you would make the same decision.

On your other question, according to the rules, you have to pass the A before the B but can take them both on the same day.
Last edit: 7 years 11 months ago by JonTappin.

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6 years 4 months ago #14513 by Brian
Replied by Brian on topic The B Test Thread
The BMFA publish an easy to follow set of diagrams for the B test. The website BMFA mid has a self test program for the questions. The video shows a complete B test.

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6 years 4 months ago #14515 by 4Pedalsfly
Replied by 4Pedalsfly on topic The B Test Thread
Thanks to Jon for raising the "B" Topic,
I wish to have a go at the test but I feel that we need to have in place some form of coaching scheme which will indicate the standard
required in order to attain the "B".
I appreciate this is not easy since it would require someone suitably qualified to run the coaching sessions.
My flying is generally midweek & I would be happy to buddy up with anyone wishing to practice so we could help each other
Colin.A.
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6 years 4 months ago #14519 by Brian
Replied by Brian on topic The B Test Thread
Good idea Colin, nothing like a bit of mutual support to generate confidence. I hope that the video of the B test shows the standard needed isn't "airshow", just tidy and with the model kept within the designated boundaries. Might be an idea to have group sessions on the questions too.

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6 years 4 months ago - 6 years 4 months ago #14521 by JonTappin
Replied by JonTappin on topic The B Test Thread

4Pedalsfly wrote: Thanks to Jon for raising the "B" Topic,
I wish to have a go at the test but I feel that we need to have in place some form of coaching scheme which will indicate the standard
required in order to attain the "B".
I appreciate this is not easy since it would require someone suitably qualified to run the coaching sessions.
My flying is generally midweek & I would be happy to buddy up with anyone wishing to practice so we could help each other
Colin.A.


I am ways happy to assist with coaching for the B test, but I am a weekend only flier. If anyone wants some help let me know and I could do something on a Saturday.

For mid week, Peter Willis may be willing to help (I'm sure he would be) as he is an examiner.

There are also others who have a B and could assist, Dave Bright, JRI and Chris Hughes come immediately to mind.

The posted video is a useful reference and shows that you don't need a specialised model or high level skills to pass the B. It is about flying tidily and safely. If I was examining that flight, I think I would have asked the pilot to refly the stall turn (which didn't really) and the spin as the pilot over rotated by at least 90 degrees on exit, other than that everything else was more than exceptable. The whole flight was controlled and never looked unsafe in any way The pilot is allowed to refly individual manoeuvres at the examiners discretion if he deems it necessary, so there is a bit of leeway anyway.
Last edit: 6 years 4 months ago by JonTappin.
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