Generic Powered Parachute — Normal Operating Procedures (FAA Powered Parachute Flying Handbook) NOT FOR FLIGHT — source fidelity: unreviewed | operational review: none | completeness: partial Source: Powered Parachute Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-12A) Rights: public_domain CC0-1.0 Checklist hash: 4c90117c06bf1f3afb4f07ab641485ad854bf2a62fea740cc9806cb2450bf33c Verify against the aircraft's own approved documentation before use. ======================================================================== PREFLIGHT PLANNING — PAVE ------------------------- ** NOTE: Before going to the field, evaluate the PAVE factors: Pilot, Aircraft, enVironment, External pressures. Establish personal minimums for each factor before proceeding. [ ] Pilot (experience, currency, rest, illness, medication, stress) ... FIT FOR FLIGHT [ ] Aircraft (fuel, weight within limits, density altitude, required equipment) ... WITHIN LIMITS [ ] enVironment (weather at departure, route, destination; NOTAMs; TFRs) ... ACCEPTABLE [ ] External pressures (schedules, purpose of flight, perceived expectations) ... NOT AFFECTING DECISION [ ] Weather: wind speed and direction, gusts, thermals, convective activity ... WITHIN PERSONAL MINIMUMS [ ] Density altitude .......................... CALCULATED AND ACCEPTABLE CERTIFICATES AND DOCUMENTS (AROW) --------------------------------- ** NOTE: The following certificates and documents must be on board when the aircraft is operated. The mnemonic AROW: Airworthiness certificate, Registration, Operating limitations, Weight and balance. [ ] Airworthiness certificate .................................. ON BOARD [ ] Registration certificate ................................... ON BOARD [ ] Operating limitations (AFM/POH, placards, or instrument markings) ... ON BOARD [ ] Weight and balance data .................................... ON BOARD [ ] Pilot certificate and photo ID (or valid driver's licence for Sport Pilots) ... IN POSSESSION [ ] Aircraft logbooks (not required on board, but review for required inspections) ... ANNUAL INSPECTION CURRENT WALK-AROUND — CART INSPECTION ----------------------------- ** NOTE: The PPC walk-around covers five tasks: (1) cart inspection, (2) powerplant inspection, (3) equipment check, (4) engine warm-up and check, (5) wing and suspension line inspection. Perform in a consistent, systematic sequence every flight. CART [ ] Nosewheel: play, tire inflation, axle bolt ... SECURE, PROPERLY INFLATED [ ] Ground steering bar connections and range of motion ... SMOOTH, FULL RANGE [ ] Front fork to nosewheel and gooseneck connections .......... SECURE [ ] Brakes (if installed): cable or hydraulic, pads, alignment, no leaks ... SERVICEABLE [ ] Pilot seat, rails, seat belt attachment points ... SECURE, NO CRACKS, SEAT PIN LOCKED [ ] Ignition and battery switches ................................. OFF [ ] Primer or primer bulb (if equipped) ..... RESISTANCE FELT, NO LEAKS [ ] Throttle control: full range of motion, no binding ... FREE AND SMOOTH [ ] Altimeter: set to field elevation or barometric pressure (if equipped) ... SET [ ] Engine instrument master ON: note fuel quantity indication ... NOTED FOR COMPARISON [ ] Airframe: distortion, wear points, loose bolts, cable kinks or frays ... NO DEFECTS [ ] Rear wheels, axle, tires: inflation, cuts, wear, wheel rotation ... SERVICEABLE FUEL AND OIL [ ] Fuel: type, grade, and quantity — visually confirm tank level matches gauge ... CORRECT TYPE, QUANTITY CONFIRMED [ ] Fuel sample: color, clarity, no water ..... CLEAR, NO CONTAMINATION [ ] Oil level and type (four-stroke, or two-stroke oil injection reservoir) ... WITHIN LIMITS, CORRECT TYPE POWERPLANT ** WARNING: Treat the propeller as live at all times. Keep the propeller arc clear during all ground operations. [ ] Propeller blades: cracks, chips, nicks; blade bolts secure ... NO DAMAGE, BOLTS SECURE [ ] Engine area: clear of loose items that could enter propeller arc ... CLEAR [ ] Carburetor(s): secure; air filter condition and fit ... SECURE, FILTER CLEAN [ ] Rubber manifolds: no cracks ........................... SERVICEABLE [ ] Spark plug caps: secure on all cylinders ................... SECURE [ ] Gear reduction box: no leaking seals, no play in gears ... SERVICEABLE [ ] Fuel lines: no fuel dye staining (indicates leakage), no deterioration ... NO LEAKS [ ] Oil lines and drain plug: no leaks, cap secure ... SECURE, NO LEAKS [ ] Exhaust system: no white staining (exhaust leaks), springs secure, no cracks ... SECURE, NO LEAKS [ ] Cooling system (liquid-cooled engines): coolant level, overflow reservoir ... WITHIN LIMITS [ ] All visible wires and lines: security and condition ... SECURE, NO DAMAGE WING AND SUSPENSION LINE INSPECTION ----------------------------------- ** NOTE: Perform wing inspection before every flight. The wing is as critical to airworthiness as the engine. Inspect methodically in the same order each time. [ ] Wind direction .................... IDENTIFIED — POINT CART INTO WIND [ ] Wing removed from bag: not twisted, rotated, or turned ... CORRECT ORIENTATION CONFIRMED [ ] Wing fabric: tears, burns, abrasions, UV deterioration, cell debris ... NO DEFECTS, CELLS CLEAR [ ] Wing laid out centered behind cart — "X" in suspension lines directly behind prop centerline ... CENTERED [ ] Riser cables at cart attachment: not twisted around airframe, secure links finger-tight plus quarter-turn ... SECURE, NOT TWISTED [ ] A-lines separated from B-lines at riser connection; A/C lines on top of B/D lines ... SEPARATED AND CLEAR [ ] Suspension lines: no tangles, knots, pressure knots, or broken strands; lines not wrapped over top of wing ... CLEAR — NO LINE-OVERS ** CAUTION: A line-over causes catastrophic wing deformation on inflation. Do not launch with any line-over present. [ ] Steering lines: clear of suspension lines, anchor knots secure, lines flow freely through guides and pulleys ... FREE AND SECURE [ ] Line-over check: no line over top surface of wing ... CONFIRMED — CLEAR [ ] Debris around wing and lines: ground clear of twigs, sticks, and objects that could cause pressure knots ... CLEAR ENGINE START ------------ [ ] Front wheels ...................................... BRACED OR CHOCKED [ ] Area behind cart and in propeller arc ......................... CLEAR [ ] Wing lines .................................. AWAY FROM PROPELLER ARC [ ] Anti-collision strobe (if independent switch) .................... ON [ ] Fuel system: prime as equipped ....................... PRIMED PER POH [ ] Throttle ....................................................... IDLE [ ] Call "CLEAR PROP" — wait for clear response from bystanders before starting [ ] Magneto switches ................................................. ON [ ] Engine gauge master switch ....................................... ON [ ] Start engine — keep one hand on throttle [ ] Oil pressure (if applicable) ................. RISING TO NORMAL RANGE [ ] Starter engaged warning light (if equipped) ......... NOT ILLUMINATED ENGINE WARM-UP AND RUN-UP ------------------------- ** CAUTION: Never skip the engine warm-up. Running a cold engine at high power is a leading cause of engine damage on two-stroke and four-stroke engines alike. [ ] Idle warm-up: allow engine to reach minimum operating temperature ... TEMPERATURE RISING NORMALLY [ ] Engine gauges ............ TEMPERATURES AND PRESSURES IN NORMAL RANGE [ ] Area behind cart still clear .................................. CLEAR [ ] Advance throttle to approximately 75% — hold 10 seconds ... SMOOTH OPERATION, NO ROUGH RUNNING [ ] Ignition system check (dual ignition): switch one off, check RPM, restore; then alternate ... BOTH CIRCUITS OPERATIONAL, RPM DROP WITHIN LIMITS [ ] RPM at run-up power .................... WITHIN MANUFACTURER'S LIMITS [ ] Engine temperatures (CHT, EGT) at run-up ... WITHIN LIMITS — DO NOT FLY IF ABNORMAL [ ] Throttle to idle — engine settles smoothly ................ CONFIRMED BEFORE TAKEOFF CHECK -------------------- ** NOTE: The before-takeoff check is the final systematic check of engine, controls, systems, and avionics before flight. It is also a go/no-go decision point. [ ] Engine temperatures: confirm still within minimums since warm-up ... WITHIN LIMITS [ ] Wind direction ..... RECHECKED — TAKEOFF POSITION CONFIRMED INTO WIND [ ] Steering and suspension lines: not in path of tires, not tangled in riser cables ... CLEAR [ ] Seat belt and shoulder harness .................... FASTENED AND SNUG [ ] Seat position (if adjustable) ................................ LOCKED [ ] Loose items: nothing able to enter propeller arc ............ SECURED [ ] Wire routing (GPS, intercom, headsets): does not interfere with controls ... CONFIRMED [ ] Strobe lights .................................................... ON [ ] Electric fuel pump (if applicable) ............................... ON [ ] Fuel quantity .......................... ADEQUATE FOR INTENDED FLIGHT [ ] Ignition system check (final) .............................. COMPLETE [ ] Traffic pattern and intended takeoff runway/area .... CHECKED — CLEAR [ ] Radio call or traffic scan (as applicable) ................. COMPLETE [ ] Passenger briefing (if passenger aboard) ... COMPLETE — SEATBELTS, EMERGENCY PROCEDURES, HANDS AND FEET INSIDE TAKEOFF ROLL — WING INFLATION AND LOC CHECK ------------------------------------------- ** NOTE: LOC: L — Lines Free; O — Cells Open; C — Wing Centered. Do not advance to takeoff thrust until the wing passes the LOC check. [ ] Throttle: advance smoothly to one-half to two-thirds takeoff power ... SMOOTH APPLICATION [ ] Feet on steering bars throughout takeoff roll ........... IN POSITION [ ] Wing inflating and rising: correct for any side that rises faster ... WING RISING SYMMETRICALLY ** CAUTION: If a line-over is visible (wing pinched and deformed), shut down immediately and re-lay the wing. Do not continue the takeoff roll. [ ] LOC check: Lines free ................................. L — CONFIRMED [ ] LOC check: all Cells open including end cells ......... O — CONFIRMED [ ] LOC check: Wing Centered overhead, forward to riser attachment points ... C — CONFIRMED [ ] Advance throttle to takeoff thrust ... SMOOTH APPLICATION TO FULL POWER [ ] Directional control during ground roll ... MAINTAINED WITH STEERING BARS LIFTOFF AND INITIAL CLIMB ------------------------- [ ] After liftoff: maintain full power and climb away from ground ... FULL POWER MAINTAINED [ ] Initial climb path: aligned with takeoff direction — clear of obstacles ... CLEAR [ ] Engine temperatures during climb .......... MONITORED — WITHIN LIMITS [ ] Reduce to cruise power at safe maneuvering altitude ... REDUCED TO CRUISE SETTING CRUISE ------ [ ] RPM ........................................... SET TO CRUISE PER POH [ ] Engine temperatures: CHT and EGT ......... STABLE WITHIN NORMAL RANGE ** NOTE: Avoid prolonged idle on two-stroke engines during descent. Make brief power additions every 30–60 seconds to prevent plug fouling and prevent CHT from dropping too rapidly. [ ] Fuel endurance: note time and fuel remaining ... ADEQUATE — LAND BEFORE EXHAUSTION APPROACH AND LANDING -------------------- [ ] Approach: plan into wind where possible ................... INTO WIND [ ] Landing area: clear of obstacles, suitable surface ... CONFIRMED CLEAR [ ] Airspeed: maintain above stall during entire approach ... ABOVE MINIMUM ** CAUTION: Avoid rapid throttle changes on approach. Rapid throttle movements cause pitch oscillations (porpoising). Use slow, smooth throttle inputs. [ ] Throttle to idle on short final ................................ IDLE [ ] Flare: begin approximately 1 second above the ground — push both foot steering bars smoothly forward ... SMOOTH FULL FLARE [ ] After touchdown: release flare smoothly — collapse canopy immediately ... CANOPY COLLAPSED AND CONTROLLED SHUTDOWN AND SECURING --------------------- [ ] Idle: allow engine to cool for at least 1 minute ... IDLING — TEMPERATURES DROPPING [ ] Magneto switches ................................................ OFF [ ] Propeller stopped: confirm before approaching ... STOPPED — CONFIRMED [ ] All electronics and instruments ................................. OFF [ ] Fuel valve (if applicable) ...................................... OFF [ ] Canopy: fold, pack into wing bag, and secure ..... PACKED AND SECURED [ ] Fuel cap ......................................... SECURE, VENT CLEAR [ ] Tie-down or hangar as required .............................. SECURED