Table Of ContentPowered Parachute
Flying Handbook
2007
U.S. DePartment oF tranSPortation
FeDeral aviation aDminiStration
Flight Standards Service
Preface
The Powered Parachute Flying Handbook is designed as a technical manual for applicants who are preparing
for a powered parachute category rating and for currently certificated powered parachute pilots who wish to
improve their knowledge. Certificated flight instructors will find this handbook a valuable training aid, since
detailed coverage of emergency procedures, components and systems, aerodynamics, powerplants, ground op-
erations, flight maneuvers, airport operations, and aeronautical decision making is included. Topics, such as
navigation and communication, use of flight information publications, and regulations are available in other
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) publications.
This handbook conforms to pilot training and certification concepts established by the FAA. There are different
ways of teaching, as well as performing flight procedures and maneuvers, and many variations in the explana-
tions of aerodynamic theories and principles. This handbook adopts a selective method and concept of flying
powered parachutes. The discussion and explanations reflect the most commonly used practices and principles.
Occasionally the word “must” or similar language is used where the desired action is deemed critical. The use
of such language is not intended to add to, interpret, or relieve a duty imposed by Title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR).
It is essential for persons using this handbook to also become familiar with and apply the pertinent parts of
14 CFR, the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), and the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
(FAA-H-8083-25), all of which are available online at www.faa.gov. Performance standards for demonstrating
competence required for pilot certification are prescribed in the appropriate powered parachute practical test
standard (PTS).
The current Flight Standards Service airman training and testing material and subject matter knowledge codes
for all airman certificates and ratings can be obtained from the FAA web site www.faa.gov.
The FAA greatly acknowledges the valuable assistance provided by many individuals and organizations through-
out the aviation community whose expertise contributed to the preparation of this handbook.
This handbook may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office
(GPO), Washington, DC 20402-9325, or from GPO’s web site.
http://bookstore.gpo.gov
This handbook is also available for download, in pdf format, from the Regulatory Support Division’s (AFS-600)
web site.
http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afs/afs600
This handbook is published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Airmen
Testing Standards Branch, AFS-630, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125.
Comments regarding this publication should be sent, in email form, to the following address.
[email protected]
iii
Grateful acknowledgment is extended to the
contributors of photography for this handbook.
Contained throughout the book are photographs
by Paul Hamilton of Adventure Productions;
Jim Byers of Magazine & Design, Inc.;
Destination Flight Inc.; and Lowell Farrand;
additional cover and inside design photography
by Steve Russell.
iv
ContentS
ChApter 1—Introduction to the powered Gravity Moment .........................................2-10
parachute Wing Attachment to Cart ...........................2-10
Stability ............................................................2-12
History of the Powered Parachute ......................1-1
PPC Angle of Attack Characteristics ...............2-12
Powered Parachute Terms ............................1-2
Introduction to the Powered Parachute ..............1-2 Normal Flying Conditions .........................2-12
Flaring Increases Angle of Attack ..............2-13
Powered Parachute Pilot Certificate
Eligibility Requirements .................................1-2 Porpoising Creates Variations in AOA .......2-14
Aeronautical Decision Making (ADM) .............1-4 Stalls: Exceeding the Critical
Angle of Attack ................................................2-14
Resource Management .......................................1-4
Turning Effect ..................................................2-15
Use of Checklists ...............................................1-5
Weight, Load and Speed Changes ....................2-15
Situational Awareness ........................................1-5
PPC Aerodynamics Summary ..........................2-16
Stress Management ............................................1-5
Medical Factors Related to the PPC ..................1-5 ChApter 3—Components and Systems
Alcohol .........................................................1-6
The Airframe ......................................................3-1
Anxiety .........................................................1-6
Center of Gravity Adjustments ..........................3-2
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning .......................1-6
Multiple Attachment Points Bracket ............3-3
Dehydration ..................................................1-6
Center of Gravity Adjuster Tubes ................3-3
Drugs ............................................................1-6
Instrument Panel ................................................3-3
Middle Ear and Sinus Problems ...................1-6
Additional Equipment ........................................3-4
Fatigue ..........................................................1-7
Electrical System ...............................................3-4
Hyperventilation...........................................1-7
Hypoxia ........................................................1-7 The Steering Bars ...............................................3-5
Motion Sickness ...........................................1-7 Wings and Components .....................................3-5
Scuba Diving ................................................1-8 Risers..................................................................3-7
Spatial Disorientation ...................................1-8 The Fuel Tank ....................................................3-7
Stress ............................................................1-8
Throttle System ..................................................3-8
Stroke and Heart Attack ...............................1-8
The Powerplant ..................................................3-8
Medical Summary—
The Propeller ......................................................3-8
“The Bottom Line”.....................................1-9
Axle and Wheel Assembly .................................3-9
ChApter 2—Aerodynamics of Flight
ChApter 4—powerplants
Aerodynamic Terms ...........................................2-1
Reciprocating Engines .......................................4-1
Powered Parachute Wing Pressurization
and Flexibility .................................................2-3 Two-Stroke Engines ...........................................4-1
Forces in Flight ..................................................2-4 Two-Stroke Process ......................................4-1
Lift ................................................................2-5 Four-Stroke Engines ..........................................4-4
Drag ..............................................................2-6 Exhaust Systems ................................................4-4
Weight ..........................................................2-7 Two-Stroke Tuned Exhaust Systems ............4-4
Thrust ...........................................................2-7 Four-Stroke Engine Exhaust Systems ..........4-4
Center of Gravity ...............................................2-8 Two-Stroke Engine Warming .............................4-4
Axes of Rotation ................................................2-9 Four-Stroke Engine Warming ............................4-5
Ground Effect .....................................................2-9 Gearboxes ..........................................................4-5
Moments ............................................................2-9 Certrifugal Clutch ........................................4-6
Thrust Line Moments .................................2-10 Propeller .............................................................4-6
v
Fixed-Pitch Propeller ...................................4-6 Preparing for Takeoff .......................................5-16
Ground Adjustable-Pitch Propeller ..............4-6 After Landing ...................................................5-16
Induction Systems ..............................................4-6 Clearing the Runway ........................................5-17
Carburetor Systems ............................................4-6 Parking .............................................................5-17
Two-Stroke Carburetor Jetting .....................4-7 Postflight ..........................................................5-17
Four-Stroke Mixture Settings .......................4-8
Packing the Wing .............................................5-17
Carburetor Icing ...........................................4-8
Fuel Injection Systems .................................4-8 Chapter 6 —Basic Flight Maneuvers
Ignition System ..................................................4-9
The Four Fundamentals .....................................6-1
Combustion ........................................................4-9
Flight Controls ...................................................6-1
Fuel Systems ....................................................4-10
Throttle ...............................................................6-1
Fuel Pumps .................................................4-10
Claring Turns .....................................................6-2
Fuel Plunger Primer ...................................4-10
Turning the Powered Parachute .........................6-2
Choke .........................................................4-10
Feel of the PPC ..................................................6-2
Fuel Bulb Primer ........................................4-10
Attitude Flying ...................................................6-3
Fuel Gauges................................................4-11
Straight-and Level Flight ...................................6-3
Fuel Filter ...................................................4-11
Level Turns ........................................................6-5
Fuel ..................................................................4-11
Climbing and Climbing Turns, Descents
Fuel Contamination ....................................4-12
and Descending Turns .....................................6-7
Bad Gasoline ..............................................4-12
Gliding ...............................................................6-8
Refueling Procedures .................................4-12
Mixing Two-Stroke Oil and Fuel ...............4-13 Wing Trim ..........................................................6-8
Starting System ................................................4-13
Chapter 7—Takeoffs and Departure
Oil Systems ......................................................4-13
Climbs
Engine Cooling Systems ..................................4-13
Terms and Definitions ........................................7-1
Chapter 5—Preflight and Ground Laying Out the Wing ..........................................7-1
Operations The Inverted Method ....................................7-1
Get Ready to Fly ................................................5-1 The Stacked (or Accordion) Method ............7-2
Trailering ............................................................5-1 Cockpit Management .........................................7-2
Where to Fly ......................................................5-2 Before Takeoff Check ........................................7-3
Weather ..............................................................5-3 Start the Engine/Initial Rollout ..........................7-3
Weight and Loading ...........................................5-3 Wing Inflation and Kiting ..................................7-3
The Preflight Checklist ......................................5-5 Normal Takeoff ..................................................7-5
Certificates and Documents ...............................5-5 Takeoff Roll .................................................7-5
Rotation ........................................................7-5
Visual Inspection ................................................5-6
Lift-Off .........................................................7-5
Cart Inspection ...................................................5-6
Initial Climb .................................................7-5
Fuel and Oil ........................................................5-8
Centering the Wing ............................................7-6
Powerplant Inspection ........................................5-8
Encourage Cell Openings ..................................7-6
Engine Starting ...................................................5-9
“Lock-out” Avoidance........................................7-6
Engine Warm-Up .............................................5-10
Crosswind Takeoff .............................................7-6
Taxiing .............................................................5-10
Positioning the Cart ......................................7-6
Wing Inspection ...............................................5-12
Wing Inflation and Kiting ............................7-6
Line Tangles, Twists, and Line-Overs ..............5-14
Takeoff Roll .................................................7-7
Line Twists .................................................5-15 Lift-Off .........................................................7-7
Line-Overs .................................................5-16 Initial Climb .................................................7-7
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Rejected Takeoff/Engine Failure ........................7-7 Chapter 10—Airport Traffic Patterns
Runway Surface and Gradient ...........................7-8
Airport Traffic Patterns and
Takeoff Performance ..........................................7-8 Operations .....................................................10-1
Noise Abatement ................................................7-9 Standard Airport Traffic Patterns .....................10-2
Chapter 8—Airspace Classification Chapter 11—Approaches and Landings
and Requirements
Normal Approach and Landing ........................11-1
Controlled Airspace ...........................................8-1 Base Leg ...........................................................11-1
Class A Airspace ................................................8-1 Final Approach .................................................11-2
Class B Airspace ................................................8-2 Estimating Height and Movement ...................11-3
Class C Airspace ................................................8-3 Roundout ..........................................................11-3
Class D Airspace ................................................8-3 Wing Control ....................................................11-4
Class E Airspace ................................................8-3 Touchdown .......................................................11-5
Uncontrolled Airspace: Class G After-Landing Roll ...........................................11-6
Airspace ..........................................................8-4
Stabilized Approach Concept ...........................11-7
Special Use Airspace ..........................................8-4
Go-Arounds (Rejected Landings) ....................11-8
Prohibited Areas .................................................8-4
Turbulent Air Approach and Landing ..............11-9
Restricted Areas .................................................8-4
Emergency Approach and Landings
Warning Areas ....................................................8-4 (Simulated)....................................................11-9
Military Operation Areas ...................................8-5 Faulty Approaches and Landings ...................11-11
Alert Areas .........................................................8-5 Low Final Approach.................................11-11
Controlled Firing Areas ......................................8-5 High Final Approach ................................11-11
Other Airspace Areas .........................................8-5 Use of Power ............................................11-11
Airport Advisory Areas ......................................8-5 High Roundout .........................................11-11
Bouncing During Touchdown ..................11-12
Military Training Routes ....................................8-5
Hard Landing ...........................................11-12
Temporary Flight Restrictions ...........................8-5
Wing Blowing Over After Touchdown ....11-13
Parachute Jump Areas ........................................8-5
Published VFR Routes .......................................8-6 Chapter 12—Night, Abnormal, and
Terminal Radar Service Areas............................8-6 Emergency Procedures
National Security Areas .....................................8-6 Night Operations and the Powered
Flight Over Charted U.S. Wildlife Refuges, Parachute ..........................................................12-1
Parks, and Forest Service Areas ......................8-6 Emergency Situations ......................................12-1
Powered Parachute Operations ..........................8-6 Accidents ....................................................12-2
PPC and Air Traffic Control ...............................8-6 Potential Hazards of the Standing PPC ............12-2
Navigating the Airspace .....................................8-7 Restricted Lines During the Takeoff Roll ........12-3
Entangled or Embedded Lines ...................12-3
Chapter 9—Ground Reference
Lines Caught Under a Wheel .....................12-3
Maneuvers
A Wing Wall .....................................................12-3
Purpose and Scope .............................................9-1
A Wing Lock-Out .............................................12-3
Maneuvering by Reference to
Wing Not Centered Overhead ..........................12-4
Ground Objects ...............................................9-1
The Cart Turns Over (Roll-Over) ....................12-4
Drift and Ground Track Control ........................9-2
Engine Failure on Climbout .............................12-5
Rectangular Course ............................................9-4
Engine Failure in Flight ...................................12-6
S-Turns Across a Road .......................................9-6
Engine Failure in a PPCL .................................12-6
Turns Around a Point .........................................9-8
In-Flight Fire ....................................................12-7
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Landing Porpoise .............................................12-7
Gust-Induced Oscillations ................................12-8
Cross-Country Flights ......................................12-8
Emergency Equipment and Survival Gear .......12-8
Glossary ...........................................................G-1
Index ..................................................................I-1
viii
History of the Powered Parachute er, in 1964 Lowell Farrand had already flown a motor-
ized version called “The Irish Flyer” by Nicolaides.
As early as the 12th century, the Chinese used an um-
[Figure 1-1 B] Farrand was the first person to put an
brella-shape parachute design for recreation. About
engine on a ram-air inflated parachute wing, starting
300 years later, Leonardo da Vinci blueprinted a pyra-
the evolution of the powered parachute with the Irish
mid-shaped parachute. In the late 18th century, man
Flyer. This wing evolved into today’s modern pow-
jumped from towers and balloons with a parachute.
ered parachute canopies, which include rectangular,
The first parachute jump from an airplane occurred
elliptical, semi-elliptical, and hybrid wings.
in 1912.
The United States (U.S.) government had a number
After World War II, sport jumping became a recre-
of test programs that used the square parachute as a
ational activity. The sport started with round para-
means to glide spacecraft back to earth or glide pay-
chutes, ranging in size from 20 to 30 feet in diameter.
loads dropped out of airplanes to a specific location.
Parachutes evolved into a steerable, gliding wing
smaller than today’s rectangular ram-air powered Two-place powered parachutes have years of testing,
parachute (PPC) wing which is approximately 38 feet development, and evolution. Training exemptions to
wide. Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR)
part 103, Ultralight Vehicles, permitted individuals
On October 1, 1964, Domina C. Jalbert applied for
to give instruction in two-place ultralight vehicles,
a patent for his “Multi-Cell Wing” named “Parafoil”
instead of being restricted to vehicles intended for
(also known as a “ram-air” wing), which was a new
single occupants. [Figure 1-1 C] The Federal Avia-
parachute design. His ideas were registered as a U.S.
tion Administration (FAA) allowed ultralight vehicle
patent on November 15,1966. [Figure 1-1 A] Howev-
A
C
D
B
Figure 1-1. The evolution of powered parachutes.
1-1
