Powered Parachute Flying Handbook Chapter 12 Night, Abnormal, and Emergency Procedures
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Night Operations and the Powered Parachute Flying a powered parachute after sunset requires a private pilot powered parachute certificate.
In addi- tion, the powered parachute needs to be equipped for night operations by adding position lights for taxi and flight.
Position lights are green on the right, red on the left, and white in the back.
Anti-collision strobe lights can also be used in addition to position lights.
[Figure 12-1] The use of lighted runways for night flight imposes several problems for the powered parachute pilot.
Setting up on a runway and conducting a preflight on a powered parachute cart and wing in the dark could tie up a designated runway area for a considerable amount of time, not to mention raise issues about be- ing able to see the aircraft and wing components for proper preflight inspection.
A pilot planning to fly a powered parachute at night should ensure adequate illumination is provided for takeoff.
The wing needs to be illuminated to ensure the wing cells are all open, the wing is centered, and the lines are not tangled (LOC).
The takeoff area needs adequate illumination to ensure hazards are avoided.
Typically, lights on poles can present a hazard at an airfield.
A powered parachute flight where the preflight in- spection was completed during daylight, just prior to sunset, and then the final landing made after sunset may be a more feasible endeavor.
If a powered para- chute pilot holding a private pilot certificate or higher were to venture into night flight, Chapter 15 of the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge should be carefully reviewed to understand the parameters that need to be considered prior to conducting a flight in the dark.
Emergency Situations This section contains information on dealing with un- expected situations that may occur in flight.
The key to successful management of an emergency situation, and/or preventing a problem from progressing into a true emergency, is a thorough familiarity with, and ad- herence to, the procedures developed by the powered parachute (PPC) manufacturer.
Hence, the following guidelines are generic and are not meant to replace the manufacturer’s recommended procedures.
Rather, they are meant to enhance your general knowledge in the area of emergency operations.
If any of the guidance in this chapter conflicts in any way with the manufacturer’s recommended procedures, the manu- facturer’s recommended procedures take precedence.
Review the lost procedures and flight diversion tech- niques in Chapter 14 of the Pilot’s Handbook of Aero- nautical Knowledge.
You must be able to select an appropriate alternate airport or landing area and route, determine there is sufficient fuel to fly to the alternate airport or landing area, turn to and establish a course to the select alternate destination, and maintain the appropriate altitude and heading while doing so.
As a PPC pilot you must be able to select an appropriate course of action if you become lost, including main- taining an appropriate heading and climb if necessary,identify prominent landmarks, and use your naviga- tion system (GPS) or contact an ATC facility for as- sistance, as appropriate.
Review the POH for the aircraft you fly to be familiar with the necessary pilot actions required for system and equipment malfunctions.
You must be prepared to analyze the situation and take action if you experi- ence any of the following system and equipment mal- functions: engine/oil and fuel, electrical, carburetor or induction icing, smoke and/or fire, flight control/trim, pitot static/vacuum and associated flight instruments, propeller, ballistic recovery system malfunction (if applicable), or any other emergency unique to the powered parachute you are flying.
Accidents It is estimated that 85 percent of accidents occur dur- ing the takeoff process, 10 percent transpire during landings, and 5 percent happen in flight.
The vast majority of these accidents are the direct result of complacency.
The cause of this complacency is that the PPC is relatively easy to fly.
Hence, if you find complacency setting in, you need to turn from outside distractions, and direct your attention to the immedi- ate situational awareness of the aircraft.
The following are some reasons for PPC complacency during flight: • The PPC does not require quick reactions.
• When compared to other light-sport aircraft (LSA), the PPC flies very slowly.
• The PPC has only two axes around which you can directly control (lateral