Large Model Endorsement – LM

The LM test can be performed with any large, fixed wing, helicopter or multirotor unmanned aircraft that qualifies for Certification as a Cat 1, 2 or 3 aircraft as described in the Large Model Code of Practice.

It is a MFNZ requirement that anyone flying a model in these categories must hold the Large Model endorsement.

The Endorsements are BP (LM), GD (LM), HP (LM), BT (LM), and MR (LM).

The Large Model Endorsement rating comprises the following two (2) test components:

1. Oral Questions
2. Test Flight

These two tests must be carried out with a MFNZ registered club appointed examiner or a combination Inspector/Examiner detailed in Item 2, below, Test Flight.

Oral Questions

Successfully answer the ten (10) LM oral theory questions as follows:

Note: All answers are defined in the relevant section of the Large Model Code of Practise (LMCOP) in italic

Q1. State the purpose of the Large Model certification scheme

Answer: see Section 2 of the LMCOP.

Q2. Define Category 1, 2a/b and 3 aircraft.

Answer: see Section 3 of the LMCOP

Q3. Which Wings must be held when operating large models?

Answer: see Section 4of the LMCOP

Q4. Are redundant Receivers and batteries mandatory for all categories?

Answer: see Section 5.4/5.5 of the LMCOP

Q5. Describe the two methods of choosing suitable servos for certified aircraft.

Answer: see section 5.7 of the LMCOP

Q6. Define the 3 sequential parts of the certification process and give brief description of each process.

Answer: see section 6.1 of the LMCOP

Q7. Where must test flights be performed, who may be present during the test flights and how many aircraft are allowed in the air during test flights.

Answer: see section 6.5 of the LMCOP

Q8. How long is a Category 1, 2a/b & 3 permit valid for, and which Category aircraft require a flight logbook be kept?

Answer: see section 6 of the LMCOP

Q9. When must checks of a certified aircraft be carried out and to what level?

Answer: see section 4 of the LMCOP.

Q10. Explain what validates a Permit.

Answer: see section 6 of the LMCOP.

The test will be performed with any large fixed or rotary wing model that qualifies for Certification as a Cat 1,2 or 3 aircraft as described in the Large Model Code of Practice.

It is an MFNZ requirement that anyone flying a model in these categories must hold the Large Model Endorsement qualification.

The use of a gyro is permitted, the use of an autopilot is not allowed during the test. If any such system is fitted to the model it must be disabled during the test.

Pre-flight Checks and Test flight.

The pre-flight inspection checks are laid out in the Large Model Code of Practice appendix 1.

Ask the candidate to go through their checks as if the test flight was their first flight of the day.

Particular attention should be given to airframe, control linkages, surfaces and radio fail-safe.

Points to look for are that the candidate has a steady and regular ground routine, nerves may play a part in the pits, but you should satisfy yourself that the candidate is actually in control of what they are doing when preparing their aircraft for flight.

Watch carefully and take note that the transmitter controls, trims and switches are checked by the pilot.

All candidates are required to be aware of the local frequency control system. Switching their radio on before doing so should be failed on the spot.

If there is no one else available then there is nothing to stop you aiding the candidate by holding the model for a power check, carrying it out for take-off (maximum safe lift for one person is 15kgs) etc. Any such actions must be performed by you directly on the instructions of the candidate. You must not prompt them or carry out any actions of your own accord. Talk this over with the candidate in your pre-flight brief.

Pilots must perform the LM endorsement using a schedule of manoeuvres decided by the pilot and approved by the Inspector IAW Section 6.8 of the Large Model Code of Practise. The manoeuvres approved by the Inspector should be listed in the comments box on Form C.

The pilot is to provide a copy of the Form C or list of approved manoeuvres to the examiner for the aircraft that is being flown prior to the test flight. These manoeuvres are to be recorded on the examiners check list.

The pilot must stand in the designated pilot area for the entirety of the flying part of the test.

Large Model questions

The candidate should answer correctly up to ten questions based on the MFNZ Large Model Code of Practice. These oral questions are listed in the LM endorsement test and on the MFNZ website under oral questions in the Wings proficiency scheme.

Remember that on no account can a good performance on the questions make up for a flying test that you considered a failure. If you have failed the candidates flying, you should not even start to ask the questions. On the other hand, the Proficiency scheme is a test of both flying ability and knowledge. It doesn’t matter how well the candidate can fly, if they cannot answer the LMCOP questions they should not pass.

How many questions you should actually ask will depend on the circumstances at the time. For instance, if the candidate has done a good flying test and answers the first five questions with confidence then you need go no further. An acceptable test but with some rough edges can be offset to an extent by the candidate performing well in the first five questions.

A candidate who has done a test which you found only just acceptable and who hesitates on the questions should be asked a few more than five and if you are not satisfied that they have actually read the LMCOP, you should not hesitate to fail the candidate.

As an examiner however you should prepare yourself thoroughly for any testing that you do and have read and have ready access to the Large Model Code of Practice for reference.

Don’t forget that you can use any local rules which you know and which the candidate should be aware of.

Test Flight

Pilots must perform the LM endorsement using a schedule of manoeuvres decided by the pilot and approved by the Inspector IAW Section 6.8 of the Large Model Code of Practise. The manoeuvres approved by the Inspector should be listed in the comments box on Form C.

Note:

A pilot wishing to undertake their LM endorsement with a Cat 1, 2 or 3 registered aircraft that is undergoing its five (5) certification test flights may do so provided:

1. Both the inspector/witness AND examiner are present during the flights. Any one of the 5 test flights may be called as the LM endorsement check flight so long as the examiner is advised before the flight commences. This allows the pilot to become familiar with the aircraft before the endorsement check flight.
2. The examiner must confirm that the test manoeuvres flown for the endorsement check flight are those approved by the Inspector on Form C.

A list of suggested manoeuvres to assist pilots that choose LMCOP Section 6.8 can be found here:

This list is by no means comprehensive and is to be used as a guide only. The pilot may choose whichever manoeuvres suit their style and aircraft. It should be considered that those chosen during the testing phase are also the only manoeuvres permitted to be flown once the Permit to Fly is issued.

Important Note.

Existing owners of Cat 1, 2 or 3 models will be granted the LM endorsement as a “grand-parented right” on the Large Model types they have completed certification flights on and hold a permit to fly as of 30 November 2017.

The candidate must answer correctly a minimum of five of the Mandatory Questions (Refer – Mandatory Questions for all Disciplines (1-15)) on safety matters, based on the MFNZ documents for general flying and local flying rules.

The candidate must also answer correctly a minimum of five questions from the General and Specific Discipline Questions (Refer General Questions (16-29) & Large Model Specific Questions (74-83)) on safety matters, based on the MFNZ documents for general flying and local flying rules.

It is suggested that the questions are asked before the flying test.

Prior to the flying test the examiner should also ask a minimum of three Local site/club Rules.

Such questions should query the maximum altitude models can fly over the flying site as well as the boundaries of the site together with site etiquette and pilot safety.

Remember, the Proficiency scheme is a test of both flying ability and knowledge. It doesn’t matter how well the candidate can fly, if they cannot answer the safety questions they should not pass.

As an examiner however, you should prepare yourself thoroughly for any testing that you do, and you may wish to review your own personal and private list of sensible questions. Don’t forget that you can use any local rules which you know and which the candidate should be aware of. Remember that the majority questions you ask are to be BASED on the MFNZ documents; you are not expected to ask them parrot fashion and the candidate is not expected to answer that way either.

This opens up the possibility of asking a candidate if they can think of reasons behind specific rules. For instance, why is the club frequency control system operated as it is and what might go wrong? Why operating transmitters should not be taken out when retrieving models from an active flying area? Or why should models not be flight taxied in or out of the pits area?