PPG Check Lists

 

1. Preflight

a. Local conditions

i. Check sectional chart for the airspace awareness

ii. Check with the local FSS for TFR's and NOTAM's

iii. Check times of sunrise/sunset

iv. Check local weather forecast

b. If flying alone

i. Let someone know your flight plans

ii. Carry a cell phone

c. Set up windsock

i. Check wind direction, amount, quality (change of speed and

direction)

d. Plan your launch and landing

i. Assess the launch and landing area

ii. Have a more than one plan in place for an engine out or

in-flight emergency

e. Unpack and assemble gear

i. Assemble motor

(1) Check motor master kill switch is set "Off"

(2) Check fuel level

(a) add fuel if necessary

(b) reattach fuel cap

(3) Check all velcro straps are secure

(4) Harness inspection (straps, webbing, stitching,

seatboard)

(5) Check harness is attached correctly

(6) Check throttle cable is free

(7) Check all bolts and carabiners

(8) Move propeller back and forth and check for unusual

play in

bearings

(9) Check rubber vibration mounts for cracks

(10) Check wiring (loose connector or worn wires)

(11) Check fuel and intake lines for wear

(12) Move muffler and carburetor for unusual play

(13) Check belt tension

(14) Check for cracks on exhaust, frame, and motor

(15) Check for unusual leaking

(16) Check air intake silencer or filter is secured

ii. Assemble wheels (skip this step if you are footlaunching)

(1) Check motor master kill switch is set "Off"

(2) Attach motor to wheels

(3) Check all bolts and carabiners

(4) Check all cables are tight

(5) Check all velcro straps are secure

(6) Check tire pressure

f. Warm up the engine

i. Turn motor master kill switch to "On"

ii. Aim direction of prop blast

iii. Announce "Clear prop" and start motor

iv. Check kill switch operation with a momentary "blip"

v. Conduct a full throttle check

vi. Check for unusual vibration and that motor functions

normally

vii. Shut the motor down with the master kill switch to check

its

operation

g. Layout the wing into the wind

i. Visual inspection of the canopy, lines and risers

ii. Check that lines are not tangled and risers are clear

iii. Check for objects inside the wing

iv. Check for tears and holes in the fabric

v. Check trimmers are set correctly

h. Attach accessories

i. Helmet, radio, camera, GPS, etc.

ii. Check battery level and operation of accessories

iii. Reserve Parachute (if necessary)

(1) Check that reserve container is secured to the harness

(2) Check that bridles are routed properly and securely

connected to harness

(3) Check that the speed system (if attached) will not

interfere

with reserve

(4) Check reserve pins and that velcro is not 'locked'

(5) Check that reserve handle is secure

(6) Check that hook-knife is secure and reachable

i. Turn motor master kill switch to "On"

j. Decide on a forward or reverse launch

k. If wheel launching, attach risers to harness

l. Get into harness and attach all straps and buckles

m. If foot launching, stand up and attach risers to harness

n. Final check before launch

i. Check windsock

ii. Check that radio, camera, etc. are strapped to harness

iii. Check fuel level and fuel cap is installed

iv. Check that the reserve parachute is correctly installed

(if

necessary)

v. Check that risers are attached correctly

vi. Check radio operation (if necessary)

vii. Check that helmet strap is secure

viii. Check radio on, correct frequency, and volume

ix. Check that harness straps are secure

x. Check that throttle cable is free and functions correctly

xi. Check that brake controls are in hands without tangles

xii. Look for lines lying across your feet

xiii. Check for other pilots on the ground and in the air

xiv. Go over flight plans in case of an engine out or

emergency

 

2. Launch

a. Start motor and warm it up

b. Check windsock

c. Inflate wing

i. Check wing is nicely overhead

ii. If possible, check lines are all free

iii. If possible, check brakes are not tangled

iv. Do not leave ground if wing is penduluming

d. Stay headed into wind

e. Keep kiting the wing during entire launch sequence

f. If footlaunching, keep feet down and moving until airborne

 

3. Flight

a. If using a reserve, check handle

b. Always plan for an emergency landing

i. Constantly search for landing areas

ii. Constantly keep a reference for wind direction

iii. Fly down wind with enough altitude to safely turn and

land into

the wind

c. Look out for other pilots, power lines, and obstructions

d. Always look before you turn, climb or descend.

e. If you have a problem (such as tangled lines or motor is not

operating correctly)

i. Continue to fly the PPG

ii. Stay calm, do not panic

iii. Make preparations to land and correct the problem

 

4. Landing

a. Look for wind direction (windsock)

b. Look for obstacles on the landing area

c. Head into the wind

d. If footlaunching, lower feet into landing position

e. Reduce prop rotation or kill engine

f. Flare within a few feet of ground

g. Bring wing down by pulling brakes

h. Detach wing from harness

i. Remove helmet

j. Unbuckle from harness and step away from PPG

k. Turn motor master kill switch to "Off"

l. Check to make sure for anything that needs to be stowed

(cameras,

radios)

 

5. Postflight

a. Pack up wing

i. Be sure wing is dry

ii. Isolate risers from lines to prevent tangles

iii. Inspect wing for debris in the lines, cells, and wing bag

b. Turn motor master kill switch to "Off"

c. Detach motor from wheels (if necessary)

d. Check over motor

i. Check motor master kill switch is set "Off"

ii. Clean as necessary

iii. Check all bolts, carabiners, cables, velcro straps are

good

iv. Check belt tension

v. Check for cracks on exhaust, frame, and motor

vi. Check for any unusual leaking

e. Check over wheels (if necessary)

i. Clean as necessary

ii. Check all bolts, carabiners, cables, velcro straps are

good

iii. Check for cracks on frame

iv. Check wheels and bearings are in good shape

f. If flying alone, contact the person you told about your flight

plans

g. Pack up motor

i. Check motor master kill switch is set "Off"

h. Pack up wheels (if necessary)

i. Pack up windsock

j. Pack away fuel and tools

k. Pick up any garbage and leave site cleaner than you found it

l. Double check you did not leave anything behind