The
following is in no way the definitive guide to preflighting powered
paragliders. It is a rough guide of
the items that need to be inspected prior to takeoff to insure your
safety. Sometimes during the excitement and anticipation of getting in the
air we miss the obvious things that are amiss with our equipment.
·
Site/Conditions
o
Check Current Weather
o
Check Long-range (next few
hours) Forecast
o
Check Winds Aloft
o Check NOTAM's
o
Check Takeoff & Landing
direction
o
Check Obstructions
(especially power lines)
·
Wing
o
Lay Wing out into wind
o
Check Lines Straight and
Clear
o
Check Maillions tight
o
Check Correct Brake Length
for gliding/motoring (if adjustable)
o
Check Riser/Line condition
· Strap In, Hook Up
o Check Buckles Secure
o Check Chest Strap Tight
o Check Harness Adjusted Properly
o Check Reserve Attachment
o Check Reserve Deployment Pin
o Check Reserve Handle in Sight - Deploy in 3 sec.
o Check Risers Hooked up Correctly
o Check Carbiners Locked
o Check Nothing Loose to get in Prop
o Check Radio for volume, clearness
o Check Helmet on, tight, fastened
·
Motor
and/or Harness
o Check Webbing for stress/fraying
o
Check Prop Guard for
alignment/stress/wear
o Check ALL bolts, especially muffler attachment (or springs)
o
Check ALL fasteners for
tightness
o
Check Caribiner condition
o
Check Radio secured
o
Check sufficient fuel
o Check Throttle routing
o Check Throttle at carbuerator for sticking BEFORE starting motor!
·
Runup and
Launch
o
Check Brake Lines/Risers
held correctly, no tangles
o
Check Kickbar tucked out of
way
o
Check engine runup to
correct RPM
o
Check Killswitch working
(briefly push) |