Use of Checklists

[pdw]

There seems to be a large number of posts about accidents that contain phrases to the effect of "I forgot". In general and commercial aviation, checklists are extensively used to avoid "forgetting" something critical. Some of the checklists are, preflight, startup, run up, take off, level off, cruise, desent, and landing.

Are there any standard published checklists to use for PPC operations. If not, has anyone created their own?

[iflyarascal]

Lockwood avaition has a checklist in their parts catalog. Dosen't cover any specific brand of plane but its still a good checklist.
Dave

[pdw]

I'll give Lockwood a try...thanks.

Paul in Idaho

[fly4fun]

In GA Flying you use checklist for every Phase of flight. For Example Preflight, Takeoff, Departure, enroute, Landing Approach. I would think you would do the same thing for any type of aircraft you are flying.

You can memorize your checklist but something you forgot could be fatal. For preflight I wouldn't depend on a memory checklist. Preflight Im my opinion is the most important one because you are determining if the aircraft is safe for flight.

I speaking from GA Experience as I yet to own or fly a PPC.

David

[fly4fun]

Oh from what I gather all PPC's purchased should come with a Preflight Checklist for that paticular brand.

[pdw]

David,

You hit on my exact point. In GA most checklists are manufacturer and model specific, and come as part of the POH (Pilot Operators Handbook).

I believe that all PPC's should come from the manufacturer with an Operators Handbook and appropriate checklists.

I hope you are correct about new PPC's coming with a preflight checklist.

I have learned over the years, that as soon as I start to trust my memory, it lets me down.

Thanks for the input.

Paul in Idaho

[fly4fun]

I wonder if AFU comes with a POH for thier PPC.

[iflyarascal]

I bought my sky rascal from a powrachute dealer, It was assembled by powrachute-not the dealer. When I took delivery all I got was my ppc a piece of paper stating ownership ,and a rotax engine manual. Nothing else.
After delivery I asked about a maintance manual-operators manual. and was told "were working on those" never did get one ! :cool:

[hawkeye256]

I wonder if AFU comes with a POH for thier PPC.
I received one with my Outlaw 103.

[fly4fun]

Thank You.

[AirSportAdventures]

Don't depend on the manufacture for a check list. Many do not produce them for owners. I made my own PPC check list using the GA method of a systematic walk around starting at the EIS. The list of things to check is longer than most PPC pilots check before each flight.

To make your own, locate the owners manual first to see if they have provided one. If not get pen and paper and start at the nose of your PPC writing everything down that should be part of a prefight inspection. Do this at least twice and take your time. Examine each part of the engine and airframe. Then review the owner's manual for anything you might have missed. Lastly call the manufacture and review your check list with them for anything you might have missed. Most PPC check lists are 90% the same. You're looking for that 10% difference.

I divide my check lists into the following:

1. Preflight walk around before engine start up.
2. Engine start and warm up checks
3. Chute inspection and layout check list
4. Before take off and rolling prefight check list
5. During flight - systems and flight environment checklist
6. Before landing check list
7. Post flight check list

For my fellow PPC pilots who never use a check list, my list may seem like an overkill. However, our memories are weak slaves and the accident files are full of examples of those who repeatedly failed to check a cable, bolt, wire, fluids, hose, etc; and paid a high price for check list neglect. :( Our machines are low tech and very forgiving so it's easy to rush through a prefight and take to the skies. It's when you have overlooked something on the 67th flight that it breaks, come undone, or fails in flight.

If anyone would like to see the check list I use, I'll be happy to email you a copy. You can use it as a guide only to start your own if you're unable to get one from the manufacture.

Michael D Harwood
michael@airsportadventures.com

[Jerry Warner]

I'm a creature of habit. I always do my preflight EXACTLY the same way. Everything in the exact same order, every time. I don't think I could "forget" an item if I tried unless it was something I was never told to check in the first place.

If I find something that throws me off my checks I start over. Why? Because I'm in the habit of doing it a specific way and that way assures me that I didn't forget.

[AirSportAdventures]

A habit is a function of learned or rote behavior. A person's memory is stored information to be recalled when needed. "Memory" shouldn't be confused with a "habit". A good habit is to always preform a pre-flight inspection using a check list.

I personally know pilots who have had accidents because they used a "memorized preflight routine" and overlooked a serious condition that resulted in an accident. I've been flying GA 27 years and powered parachutes for 8 years and have formed a number of habits. One of those habits is using a check list. This frees up my memory banks to recall a great flight. ;)

Michael...

[critterculler]

Good post Michael !! Merry Christmas ! Seeya Phil :D

[texasbagpiper]

I'm looking for a diagram that names all the parts of a powered paraglider. I'm doing sports pilot and did my first preflight check yesterday and didn't know what some of the names for some of the sections of the plane were and want to memorize them so I will know the terms... Seth

[mignazito]

Try the FAAs Powered Parachute Flying Handbook. Free on FAA.gov website.

[texasbagpiper]

Thanks, I do have a hard copy of that book and it does have some of the info but doesn't cover all... Thanks again , Seth

[AirSportAdventures]

I assume you mean Powered Parachute not "paraglider" and you are looking to create a checklist from this "diagram". If you are taking flight training, your instructor can help you create a checklist based on the particular model you own. There are hundreds of parts on a PPC diagram and you will need to know what parts should be on the checklist and what to look for. Some items that should be on the checklist can't be discerned from looking at the diagram. The manufacture's documentation is the best place to start if you have it.

[texasbagpiper]

This is the Check List I use, you can print it from Dave English's website. Its Covers just about everything.:D

http://home.flash.net/~fflight/ppc_preflight_check_list.htm

[larsenwv]

I bought a Buckeye Dream Machine used. It didn't come with a checklist, but I made up a preflight checklist. Once I am in the air, I don't use a checklist. It is possible that one might be of some use when landing at an airport, but PPCs are not nearly as complicated to fly as most three axis aircraft and certainly GA aircraft of any substantial size. There is no engine leaning to worry about, no danger of a gear up landing, need to do a 1.3 time stall speed landing. While not entirely idiot proof, a PPC (once properly preflighted) may not require or benefit from the use of checklists that is often so helpful in GA flying.