Generic Powered Parachute — Emergency Procedures (FAA Powered Parachute Flying Handbook)

Generic Powered Parachute · powered parachute

Known issues

safety_defect: These procedures are generic. No item has been checked against any specific aircraft's POH. The manufacturer's procedures take precedence.
content_gap: The Handbook covers single-engine PPCs. Twin-engine PPC engine-failure procedures differ significantly — a twin can continue flight on one engine under most conditions.
content_gap: Specific numeric limits (minimum restart altitude, glide ratios, fuel thresholds) are not provided — they are aircraft-specific and must come from the POH.

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Aircraft Pilot

Engine Failure on Climbout engine_failure_after_takeoff

Engine fails or loses power immediately after liftoff or during initial climb before a safe maneuvering altitude is reached

WARNINGDo not attempt to turn back to the field from low altitude. It is safer to establish the proper glide attitude and land straight ahead or slightly to either side of the takeoff path.
Glide attitudeMEMORYESTABLISH IMMEDIATELY
When the engine fails at low altitude, the cart swings back under the wing and the wing can surge forward into a dangerous dive. If the wing surges forward, immediately flare to slow the surge; gradually release the flare when the wing is back overhead in normal flying position.
Landing areaMEMORYSTRAIGHT AHEAD OR WITHIN 30 DEGREES
Full flare: approximately 1 second above ground — push both steering bars fully forwardMEMORYSMOOTH FULL FLARE — HOLD THROUGH TOUCHDOWN
After touchdown: collapse canopy immediatelyCANOPY COLLAPSED

Engine Failure In Flight engine_failure_in_flight

Engine stops or loses power in flight at altitude

NOTEA powered parachute glides. Loss of engine power is not an immediate catastrophe. Fly the aircraft. Select the safest landing area and glide to it.
Continue to fly the aircraft — maintain wing overhead in normal glideMEMORYGLIDING
Landing zone: safest available terrain — into wind if possibleMEMORYIDENTIFIED AND TRACKING
Safe terrain is the primary priority; wind direction is secondary. Land into the wind if possible; downwind otherwise. Crosswind is the least favorable. Never fly over terrain you cannot land on given your altitude and glide slope.
Engine restart: attempt only if altitude and cause permit — do not restart below manufacturer's minimum altitudeATTEMPTED IF ALTITUDE PERMITS — OTHERWISE GLIDE TO LANDING
Full flare approximately 1 second above ground — push both steering bars completely forward and holdMEMORYSMOOTH FULL FLARE — HOLD THROUGH TOUCHDOWN
After touchdown: collapse canopy (engine already off)CANOPY COLLAPSED

In-Flight Fire engine_fire_in_flight

Any sign of fire near the engine, fuel containers, or fuel lines

WARNINGIn-flight fire is one of the most serious emergencies a PPC pilot can encounter due to the flammability of the ram-air wing. Land immediately.
ThrottleMEMORYIDLE
Fuel valve(s)MEMORYOFF IF ACCESSIBLE
MagnetosMEMORYOFF
All electronicsOFF
Land immediately — stop as quickly as possibleMEMORYLANDING NOW
Evacuate the aircraft immediately and move awayMEMORYCLEAR OF AIRCRAFT
After evacuating, the principal danger is fuel igniting and exploding. Get far away from the aircraft.

Rejected Takeoff / Abort engine_failure_before_rotation

Any condition requiring termination of the takeoff during the ground roll or initial kiting

NOTEAbort conditions include: lines restricted around airframe, wing wall, wing lock-out, line-over detected during rolling preflight, lines caught under a wheel, unsafe wing position.
ThrottleMEMORYIDLE
Magneto switchesMEMORYOFF
Maintain directional control: steer clear of obstacles during decelerationCONTROLLED STOP
Collapse and pull down canopyCANOPY DOWN
Identify and correct the cause before the next takeoff attemptCAUSE IDENTIFIED AND CORRECTED

Line-Over Detected (Ground — Before Takeoff) Takeoff Abnormal — Line-Over

A suspension line is observed over the top surface of the wing during preflight or rolling preflight

WARNINGA line-over will prevent proper wing inflation and will cause a severe yaw or roll on takeoff. This is a no-go condition. Do not launch.
Abort takeoff: throttle idle, magnetos offABORTED
Identify which line is over the wing and which riser group it belongs toIDENTIFIED
Pull the wing fabric through the loop made by the line-overLINE-OVER CLEARED
Re-inspect all lines before next takeoff attemptREINSPECTED — CLEAR

Wing Pull-Over (Rollover) Takeoff Emergency — Rollover

Cart begins to tip over due to horizontal lift from wing not centered over cart

WARNINGA rollover can cause death or serious injury. Prevention is by keeping the cart headed into the wind, allowing the wing time to center, and not rushing the takeoff roll.
NOTEIf cart is lifting on one side but recovery is still possible: immediately reduce engine RPM to reduce wing lift — this may allow the cart to settle back on all wheels.
If past recovery point — magneto switchesMEMORYOFF — STOP PROPELLER
Do not try to stop the rollover with arms or legs — pull all limbs into tuck positionMEMORYLIMBS TUCKED IN
After cart stops: unstrap immediately and exitCLEAR OF CART
NOTEIf safe and not conflicting with 49 CFR 830 accident-reporting requirements, return the cart to upright position to prevent fuel and oil from spilling.

Porpoising on Landing Approach Landing Abnormal — Porpoising

Pilot-induced pitch oscillations developing during approach or landing

NOTEPorpoising is caused by rapid or over-controlled throttle movements. There is an inherent delay between throttle change and pitch response. If oscillations begin developing on approach, go around immediately.
Go around: apply full power and climb back to pattern altitudeMEMORYCLIMBING — FULL POWER
On next approach: slow, smooth throttle action — avoid over-controlSTABLE APPROACH

Wing Wall on Takeoff Roll Takeoff Abnormal — Wing Wall

The canopy forms a wall-shape behind the cart: trailing edge on ground, leading edge vertical, wing not inflating and rising

CAUTIONThe only safe solution to a wing wall is to abort, shut down, and re-lay the canopy. Attempting to 'pop' the wing out of the wall with throttle movements risks sucking lines into the propeller.
Abort the takeoff: throttle idle, magnetos offABORTED AND SHUT DOWN
Re-lay canopy from the beginningCANOPY RE-LAID AND REINSPECTED

Wing Lock-Out on Takeoff Roll Takeoff Abnormal — Wing Lock-Out

The inflated canopy hangs at approximately 45 degrees behind the cart and will not rise overhead despite increasing groundspeed

NOTETwo techniques exist to recover from a lock-out on a rectangular wing. Consult your flight instructor before attempting these on an elliptical wing, as the characteristics differ significantly.
Method 1 — Reduce groundspeed until wing begins to fall back and down; then smoothly and firmly increase groundspeed to slingshot wing overhead before it touches the groundWING OVERHEAD — LOC CHECK BEFORE CONTINUING
Method 2 — Maintain groundspeed and apply full flare (push both steering bars); hold until wing pulls back to approximately 60 degrees; then smoothly release flare to slingshot wing overheadWING OVERHEAD — LOC CHECK BEFORE CONTINUING
CAUTIONIf neither technique brings the wing overhead cleanly, abort the takeoff. Do not launch with a lock-out.

Source: Powered Parachute Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-12A

Rights: public_domain CC0-1.0

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