Night Operations and the Powered Parachute
Flying a powered parachute after sunset requires a
private pilot powered parachute certificate. In addition,
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 being
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 inspection
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 parachute
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 unexpected
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 adherence
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 manufacturer’s
recommended procedures take precedence.
Review the lost procedures and flight diversion techniques
in Chapter 14 of the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical
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 maintaining
an appropriate heading and climb if necessary, identify prominent landmarks, and use your navigation
system (GPS) or contact an ATC facility for assistance,
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 experience
any of the following system and equipment malfunctions:
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.
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