# BelleStar Aerostar RX8 — Kent_J_Barnes_Aerostar_RX8_8-2006_Checklist > **NOT FOR FLIGHT** — source fidelity: unreviewed | operational review: none | completeness: full ## Flight Planning Check - [ ] Call Weather: 800-992-7433 (Surface Winds, Winds Aloft SFC>12K and Synopsis) - [ ] Plan Flight: Course, Weight, Performance - [ ] Determine Where To Meet: Call Crew, Advise What To Wear - [ ] Check Fuel – Balloon, Vehicles & Fans - [ ] Load Equipment: Burners and Pins, 2 Strikers, Other equip as needed - [ ] Instruments (extra batteries), Radios, GPS, Pibals (Helium) - [ ] Nitro Tanks – If temperature at take of site < 45 degrees F ## Layout and Inspection Check - [ ] Brief Crew – Duties & Positions - [ ] Layout - [ ] Inflation - [ ] Prior Liftoff - [ ] Flight Plan - [ ] Determine Surface Wind Direction & Launch Pibal - [ ] Check Field, Sweep Area For Obstructions - [ ] Place Basket - [ ] Check Fuel Supply - Test Liquid Level Gauge Valve - [ ] Check Airworthiness, Registration, Flight Manual and Strikers - [ ] Lay Basket Down - [ ] Align Envelope Downwind (25’-40’ Apart) - [ ] Connect Burner & Fuel Lines – Leak Check (Listen and Smell) - [ ] Check Fuel Pressure for Proper Pressures on Both Tanks/Burners - [ ] Brief Crew on Inflation Process - [ ] Pull Throat Out Of Bag To Basket (Re-Evaluate Wind Direction) - [ ] Connect Suspension Lines - [ ] Run Control Lines Out and Straighten - [ ] Lay Out Remainder of Envelope and Crown Line* (Brief Crown Person) For BelleStar “Bag Inflate” is preferred. - [ ] Initial Fan Alignment - [ ] Tie Off - If Required > **NOTE:** 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. ## Inflation Check - [ ] Brief Crew (Give Instructions On Fan Operation) - [ ] Start Fan and Inflate - [ ] Walk Around and: - [ ] Pull Top Cap Out From Upper, Middle Cord, Align With Corresponding Tab. - [ ] Pull Parachute Cord Slack - [ ] Begin Tabbing - [ ] Inspect Temp Tab – < 275 degrees F - [ ] Inspect Internal Parachute Cords, Connections For Tangles - [ ] Check Envelope for Center Alignment – BelleStar Blue is UP - [ ] Pull Out Fabric On Down Side While Traveling To Throat (Be Sure To Evaluate Which Side To Pull From) - [ ] Look In Throat From Behind Basket For Cable Alignment and Top Cap Seal - [ ] Clear Control Line From Inside Throat and Secure - [ ] Check Cable Connections for Safety Locks/Washers - [ ] Adjust Fan Alignment As Necessary (Pull Out Appropriate Side(s), Direct Crown Person) - [ ] Finish Tabbing - [ ] Final Adjustments, Wait Until Balloon Is Cold Filled - [ ] Signal Crown Person To Prepare For Hot Inflate - [ ] Light Pilot and Light Both Burners - [ ] Gimbal Burner Up To Opening, Adjust For Fan Current, Inflate - [ ] Keep Weight On Basket When Vertical - [ ] Tie Crown Line Off - [ ] Pull Control Lines Down and Check For Tangles - [ ] Check Envelope, Skirt, Valve(s) & Suspension Lines for Damage ## Pre-launch Check - [ ] Check Cables, Connections & Strikers - [ ] Load Passengers - [ ] Connect Instruments - [ ] Radios and Instruments – On & Check - [ ] Check Parachute Top and Rigging – Reset If Necessary - [ ] Brief Passengers and Final Crew Instructions - [ ] Welcome Onboard, My Name Is… - [ ] At Landing, “Don’t Get Out Of The Basket Until I Instruct You To Do So” - [ ] While In Flight, Please Don’t Touch This …. - [ ] At Times I May Ask You To Move …. - [ ] At Landing, Please Face Forward, Hang On In 2 Places, Bend Knees, Cameras, Purses Etc Stowed - [ ] Are there Any Questions at This Time? - [ ] Recheck Wind Conditions & Obstacles - [ ] Ask Crew To Move Adjacent Equipment & To Help Weigh-Off. - [ ] Pop Quick Release, If Appropriate. - [ ] Take Off With Intent To Clear Obstacles. ## Landing Check - [ ] Re-Brief Passengers To Stay In Basket Until Directed Otherwise - [ ] Face Direction of Travel - [ ] Bend Knees – Feet Together - [ ] Where to Hold On – 2 Places - [ ] “Stay in Basket Until Pilot OKs to Exit!” - [ ] Check Deflation Area for Obstacles. - [ ] Exit Passengers When Appropriate - [ ] Re-Evaluate Wind Direction - [ ] Reposition Balloon In Largest Portion Of Field - [ ] Line Up Scoop/Basket For Downwind Deflation - [ ] Deploy Crown Line With Briefed Crewmember - [ ] Shutoff Pilots & Fuel Valves; Cool Burners - [ ] Get Out Of Basket – If Desired - [ ] Rip Envelope Out And Immediately Begin Tipping Basket Over As Envelope Starts To Fall ## Securing Balloon Check - [ ] Turn Off Radios, Instruments and Stow - [ ] Burp Envelope with EZ-Squeeze - [ ] Disconnect Suspension Cables - [ ] Fold Envelope Into Bag and Secure - [ ] Disconnect Fuel Lines From Burner and Connect Filler Connection - [ ] Remove and Stow Burner - [ ] Turn Basket Upright – Prepare to Load - [ ] Straps on Envelop, Fan and Basket ## Emergency Checklists (EMERGENCY) **BURNER FIRE** - [ ] Shut OFF Main Valve to Affected Burner - [ ] Drain Fuel Line - [ ] If Necessary to Burn – Use Tank Valve for Altitude Control - [ ] Land As Soon As Practical **PILOT LIGHT FAILURE** - [ ] If Available – Use Other Burner - [ ] Vent Burner – Stop then Light with Striker - [ ] If Necessary to Burn – Use Metering Valve as Backup - [ ] Land As Soon as Practical **BLAST VALVE LEAK** - [ ] Shut OFF Main Valve to Affected Burner - [ ] Drain Fuel Line - [ ] If Available – Use Other Burner - [ ] If Necessary to Burn – Use Metering Valve as Backup - [ ] Land As Soon as Practical **LOW FUEL** - [ ] Confirm Levels in ALL Tanks - [ ] If Available – Run ONLY ONE Tank While Flying to Landing - [ ] Use Fullest Tank For Final Approach & Landing - [ ] Land As Soon As Practical --- NOT FOR FLIGHT — source fidelity: unreviewed | operational review: none | completeness: full Source: BelleStar/Aerostar RX8/Kent_J_Barnes_Aerostar_RX8_8-2006_Checklist.txt Rights: licensed Checklist hash: 82e1fa5bc776115b7b8169619ee000705a0529d7f667aa7559888e376aaff5db Verify against the aircraft's own approved documentation before use.