BelleStar Aerostar RX8 — Kent_J_Barnes_Aerostar_RX8_8-2006_Checklist 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. ======================================================================== 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