CHGPA: A Pre-Flight CheckList For Hang Gliding
There's no way that a single checklist can take into account
all the complexities presented by varying harness designs,
unusual site considerations, ballistically-deployed 'chutes,
or a given pilot's specific physical needs. But even so, CHGPA still
believes that a "standard checklist" is worth promoting, particularly
to Hang-I and new Hang-II pilots.
This page presents one such pre-flight checklist, drawn from several
club discussions about checklists and how to
reduce the risk of hook-in failure.
We think it addresses better than 90% of common pre-flight needs.
The list is first presented in a verbose format, in which
the actions for each step are described. This is followed by an
abbreviated list-oriented format, with a link to a printer-friendly
version of the abbreviated checklist. You might want to print a copy
and place it on a bar-mitt or downtube.
If you have a suggestion for a substantial change (other than
the order of the checklist items, and not-including unusual checklist
needs specific to a particular harness/site/etc), then
we'd like to hear from you! But remember that the intended audience
for this checklist consists of Hang I & II pilots, people who haven't yet
developed their own routine. We expect that they will
customize this list as they gain experience (just as your own checklist
might include items not presented here).
Mark Cavanaugh
luv2soar@yahoo.com
February, 2001
Preparations
Before you are in position to run a checklist, we will assume
that you've performed the following tasks:
- Assembled the glider
- Pre-flighted the glider
- Mounted flight instruments
- Climbed into harness (provided site/conditions permit)
- Moved to the launch area
Most (if not all) of the sites in the CHGPA area allow most pilots to
utilize the "Aussie method" of attaching one's harness to
the glider as part of glider assembly.
We highly recommend using this method if your harness
design and other factors permit.
When ready to fly you simply climb into your harness and then move
to the launch area. Since you're already hooked in, you can segue
right into the checklist with your wirecrew.
HG Pre-Flight CheckList : Description
- Hang Check
- With someone at either the nose wires or the keel to handle your
glider's pitch, "prone-out" so that you are hanging in your harness.
Turn and look over your shoulder
at your carabiner and confirm that you are hooked in to both your
secondary and primary hang loops. Confirm that the gate of your 'biner
is closed, and that that gate is screwed shut. If possible, touch
the primary, the secondary, and the gate as you say "Primary, secondary,
gate closed and locked."
- Bar Height
- Turn back so you are hanging in your harness normally, kick
your feet back into the harness boot, and confirm that your height
above the control bar is normal.
- Leg Loops
- Reach down and hook a finger around each leg loop to confirm
that your legs are through them. Say "Leg loop one, leg loop two."
as you tug each leg loop in turn.
- Buckles and Zipper
- If applicable, reach over to your harness clips or buckles
and confirm that they are closed, and touch your harness zipper
to confirm that it is fully closed. Say "Clip one, clip two,
zipper closed." as you touch and look at each item.
- Harness Mains
- Hang normally from your harness and ask your wire crew if
the harness lines appear to be straight. If possible, try to confirm this
yourself by looking over a shoulder.
Now stand up to perform the remaining steps:
- Parachute
- Look down at your parachute and make sure that the chute pins on
the deployment handle pass through the loops which allow the chute to
be pulled, and that the handle is freely accessible. Say "Chute pins
are in, handle is free" as you perform this check.
- Pull Cords
- If you have a pod harness with pull-cords that open and close the pod
zipper, look to each side and verify that they are properly stowed,
so that they cannot interfere with your launch. Say "Pull cord one stowed,
pull cord two stowed."
- Boots
- Look down at your feet to make sure the laces of your boots or shoes
are tied. It would be pretty embarrassing to blow a launch by tripping
on a lace!
- Helmut
- Hook a finger under the chinstrap of your helmut and give it a tug.
Say "Chinstrap buckled." as you confirm that the strap is buckled.
- Goggles
- Grasp both sides of your goggles and give them a pull, making
sure that they are secure and centered.
HG Pre-Flight CheckList : Abbreviated
Go to the printer-friendly version if you want to print the
abbreviated checklist.
Prone-Out:
-
Hang Check : Primary, Secondary, Gate Locked
-
Bar Height : Normal
-
Leg Loops : Legs Are Through Them
-
Harness Buckles and Zipper : Closed, Zipped
-
Harness Mains : Straight and Untangled
Stand-Up:
-
Chute : Pins Secure, Handle Is Free
-
Pull cords : Stowed Away
-
Boots : Laces Tied
-
Helmut : Chinstrap Buckled
-
Goggles : Secure
Educational Resources for Hang Gliding