{
  "open_checklist_version": "1.0",
  "id": "bellestar-aerostar-rx8-kent-j-barnes-aerostar-rx8-8-2006-checklist",
  "title": "BelleStar Aerostar RX8 — Kent_J_Barnes_Aerostar_RX8_8-2006_Checklist",
  "aircraft": {
    "make": "BelleStar",
    "model": "Aerostar RX8",
    "category": "standard_normal"
  },
  "provenance": {
    "source": {
      "kind": "third_party_checklist",
      "title": "BelleStar/Aerostar RX8/Kent_J_Barnes_Aerostar_RX8_8-2006_Checklist.txt"
    },
    "transcription": {
      "method": "format_conversion",
      "date": "2026-08-13",
      "converted_from": "doc"
    },
    "contributors": [
      {
        "name": "Open Checklists project",
        "role": [
          "transcriber"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "revision": {
      "file_revision": "0.1.0",
      "updated": "2026-08-13"
    }
  },
  "verification": {
    "source_fidelity": "unreviewed",
    "operational_review": "none",
    "completeness": "full",
    "known_issues": [],
    "reviews": [
      {
        "type": "source_comparison",
        "reviewer": "ai-dual-pass-review",
        "date": "2026-08-14",
        "notes": "Automated AI review: two independent transcription passes + numeric/item-count disagreement resolution. Not human-verified; baseline for community correction."
      }
    ]
  },
  "rights": {
    "status": "licensed",
    "upstream_holder": "freechecklists.net",
    "upstream_license": "content-reuse permission granted by the site author for this replacement project",
    "notes": "Transcribed from the freechecklists.net archive under the author's reuse grant. Individual checklist wording may be substantially the source's; per-file contributor authorship is unknown."
  },
  "units": {
    "airspeed": "kt",
    "altitude": "ft",
    "fuel": "usgal",
    "pressure": "psi",
    "temperature": "f"
  },
  "sections": [
    {
      "phase": "preflight_inspection",
      "title": "Flight Planning Check",
      "items": [
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Call Weather: 800-992-7433 (Surface Winds, Winds Aloft SFC>12K and Synopsis)",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Plan Flight: Course, Weight, Performance",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Determine Where To Meet: Call Crew, Advise What To Wear",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Check Fuel – Balloon, Vehicles & Fans",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Load Equipment: Burners and Pins, 2 Strikers, Other equip as needed",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Instruments (extra batteries), Radios, GPS, Pibals (Helium)",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Nitro Tanks – If temperature at take of site < 45 degrees F",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 0.8
        }
      ],
      "criticality": "normal"
    },
    {
      "phase": "preflight_inspection",
      "title": "Layout and Inspection Check",
      "items": [
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Brief Crew – Duties & Positions",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Layout",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Inflation",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Prior Liftoff",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Flight Plan",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Determine Surface Wind Direction & Launch Pibal",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Check Field, Sweep Area For Obstructions",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Place Basket",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Check Fuel Supply - Test Liquid Level Gauge Valve",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Check Airworthiness, Registration, Flight Manual and Strikers",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Lay Basket Down",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Align Envelope Downwind (25’-40’ Apart)",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Connect Burner & Fuel Lines – Leak Check (Listen and Smell)",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Check Fuel Pressure for Proper Pressures on Both Tanks/Burners",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Brief Crew on Inflation Process",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Pull Throat Out Of Bag To Basket (Re-Evaluate Wind Direction)",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Connect Suspension Lines",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Run Control Lines Out and Straighten",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Lay Out Remainder of Envelope and Crown Line* (Brief Crown Person) For BelleStar “Bag Inflate” is preferred.",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Initial Fan Alignment",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Tie Off - If Required",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "note",
          "text": "If in “short crew” mode, wait until fan is started to pull envelope out of bag. Remember to put fan back to side rail depth before hot inflation.",
          "tickable": false,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        }
      ],
      "criticality": "normal"
    },
    {
      "phase": "before_takeoff",
      "title": "Inflation Check",
      "items": [
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Brief Crew (Give Instructions On Fan Operation)",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Start Fan and Inflate",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Walk Around and:",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Pull Top Cap Out From Upper, Middle Cord, Align With Corresponding Tab.",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Pull Parachute Cord Slack",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Begin Tabbing",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Inspect Temp Tab – < 275 degrees F",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Inspect Internal Parachute Cords, Connections For Tangles",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Check Envelope for Center Alignment – BelleStar Blue is UP",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Pull Out Fabric On Down Side While Traveling To Throat (Be Sure To Evaluate Which Side To Pull From)",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Look In Throat From Behind Basket For Cable Alignment and Top Cap Seal",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Clear Control Line From Inside Throat and Secure",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Check Cable Connections for Safety Locks/Washers",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Adjust Fan Alignment As Necessary (Pull Out Appropriate Side(s), Direct Crown Person)",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Finish Tabbing",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Final Adjustments, Wait Until Balloon Is Cold Filled",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Signal Crown Person To Prepare For Hot Inflate",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Light Pilot and Light Both Burners",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Gimbal Burner Up To Opening, Adjust For Fan Current, Inflate",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Keep Weight On Basket When Vertical",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Tie Crown Line Off",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Pull Control Lines Down and Check For Tangles",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Check Envelope, Skirt, Valve(s) & Suspension Lines for Damage",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        }
      ],
      "criticality": "normal"
    },
    {
      "phase": "before_takeoff",
      "title": "Pre-launch Check",
      "items": [
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Check Cables, Connections & Strikers",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Load Passengers",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Connect Instruments",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Radios and Instruments – On & Check",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Check Parachute Top and Rigging – Reset If Necessary",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Brief Passengers and Final Crew Instructions",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Welcome Onboard, My Name Is…",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "At Landing, “Don’t Get Out Of The Basket Until I Instruct You To Do So”",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "While In Flight, Please Don’t Touch This ….",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "At Times I May Ask You To Move ….",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "At Landing, Please Face Forward, Hang On In 2 Places, Bend Knees, Cameras, Purses Etc Stowed",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Are there Any Questions at This Time?",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Recheck Wind Conditions & Obstacles",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Ask Crew To Move Adjacent Equipment & To Help Weigh-Off.",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Pop Quick Release, If Appropriate.",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Take Off With Intent To Clear Obstacles.",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        }
      ],
      "criticality": "normal"
    },
    {
      "phase": "landing",
      "title": "Landing Check",
      "items": [
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Re-Brief Passengers To Stay In Basket Until Directed Otherwise",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Face Direction of Travel",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Bend Knees – Feet Together",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Where to Hold On – 2 Places",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "“Stay in Basket Until Pilot OKs to Exit!”",
          "indent": 1,
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Check Deflation Area for Obstacles.",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Exit Passengers When Appropriate",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Re-Evaluate Wind Direction",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Reposition Balloon In Largest Portion Of Field",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Line Up Scoop/Basket For Downwind Deflation",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Deploy Crown Line With Briefed Crewmember",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Shutoff Pilots & Fuel Valves; Cool Burners",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Get Out Of Basket – If Desired",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Rip Envelope Out And Immediately Begin Tipping Basket Over As Envelope Starts To Fall",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        }
      ],
      "criticality": "normal"
    },
    {
      "phase": "securing",
      "title": "Securing Balloon Check",
      "items": [
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Turn Off Radios, Instruments and Stow",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Burp Envelope with EZ-Squeeze",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Disconnect Suspension Cables",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Fold Envelope Into Bag and Secure",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Disconnect Fuel Lines From Burner and Connect Filler Connection",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Remove and Stow Burner",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Turn Basket Upright – Prepare to Load",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Straps on Envelop, Fan and Basket",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        }
      ],
      "criticality": "normal"
    },
    {
      "phase": "engine_fire_ground",
      "title": "Emergency Checklists",
      "criticality": "emergency",
      "items": [
        {
          "type": "subtitle",
          "text": "BURNER FIRE",
          "tickable": false,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Shut OFF Main Valve to Affected Burner",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Drain Fuel Line",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "If Necessary to Burn – Use Tank Valve for Altitude Control",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Land As Soon As Practical",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "subtitle",
          "text": "PILOT LIGHT FAILURE",
          "tickable": false,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "If Available – Use Other Burner",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Vent Burner – Stop then Light with Striker",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "If Necessary to Burn – Use Metering Valve as Backup",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Land As Soon as Practical",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "subtitle",
          "text": "BLAST VALVE LEAK",
          "tickable": false,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Shut OFF Main Valve to Affected Burner",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Drain Fuel Line",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "If Available – Use Other Burner",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "If Necessary to Burn – Use Metering Valve as Backup",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Land As Soon as Practical",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "subtitle",
          "text": "LOW FUEL",
          "tickable": false,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Confirm Levels in ALL Tanks",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "If Available – Run ONLY ONE Tank While Flying to Landing",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Use Fullest Tank For Final Approach & Landing",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        },
        {
          "type": "challenge",
          "text": "Land As Soon As Practical",
          "tickable": true,
          "source_confidence": 1.0
        }
      ]
    }
  ]
}