During the summer months the C.A.R.D.S. club runs Student Nights on Tuesday evenings at the CARDS field. Weather permitting, there will generally be several of the clubs instructors that will be on hand to help you learn how to fly. To fly unassisted at the field, you must have demonstrated the ability to safely handle your plane on the ground and in the air to the flight instructors. Until you have done so, you must be assisted by one of our designated flight instructors.

Things you will need if you wish to learn to fly:

• You must join the AMA. CARDS rules require AMA membership to fly at the field, and in general most other clubs are going to require it too. There are a variety of benefits that you gain from membership. You can join online or by mail.
• Join the CARDS club. You can download the membership form, or you can find copies of the AMA membership application and the CARDS application membership forms at the field.
• Familiarize yourself with the Field Rules and Flight Guidelines.
• A trainer type aircraft. There are several good choices available in the .40 to .60 size. Some examples: Sig Kadet Senior, Sig Kadet LT-40, Great Planes PT-40 or PT-60, or a Hobbico NexSTAR.
• A radio, generally of at least 4 channels. The club has cables and buddy boxes available at the field that can interface with Futaba and JR radios, so it's strongly recommended that you go with one of those (or a compatible model).
• A variety of support equipment, including but not limited to: fuel, glow igniter, starter, screwdrivers, expanded scale volt meter, fuel pump, and more.

On student nights there will generally be several instructors available to teach you both how to fly, and how to properly handle your airplane both in the air and on the ground to be safe. Flying model airplanes is an activity that has some inherent risk involved, and can lead to serious injury if you do not learn to operate in a safe manner. By working with our instructors, you will learn how to operate your aircraft in a manner that will keep you, your airplane, and other people in the area safe. It will also greatly improve your chances of making your aircraft have a nice, long life.

You'll note that the previous paragraph said that generally there will be instructors available on student nights. If there are storms in the area, or if it's very windy, there may be nobody at the field. If it's only wind, sometimes there will be people standing around chatting, hoping the wind dies down to an acceptable level.