POWERED PARACHUTE (PPC)

GRANTIE FIELD FLIGHT TRAINING

POWERED PARACHUTE

TRAINING COURSE PROGRAMME


So what does the training course consist of? Theory, Practice lessons and Flying lessons! The theory you will be taught is (Theory of flight) (Rues of the air) (Circuits) (RaAus and CASA Regs) (Metrology) (VHF Radio) (Human Factors) and General knowledge! The instructors and staff are a dedicated professional team that have your Safety, your comfort, and your training as their number on priority.  We are happy to discuss and explain any and all queries you may have; actually, we encourage it!

THEORY:

Before Flight – Familiarization of the PPC – Aerofoils & Lift, PPC Controls, PPC Main points, PPC Four Forces, Rules of the Air, RAAus Doc’s, Understanding PPC Flight Characteristics, PPC Differences, Safety and Attitude, Aircraft Maintenance and Serviceability, Defects, Authorised repairs.

Pre Flight – Pre-flight inspections, Starting-Warm up checks, Pre Take off and landing Checks, Canopy layout, Explanation of various canopy deployments, circuit patterns, understanding the use of Brakes/turning/power/direction with Pendulum effects.

Metrology – weather to fly!  Height - Elevation / Altitude /QNH / QNE / Altimeter, Density Altitude, Pressure Systems, Clouds, Winds including – Rotor, Turbulence, Shear, Gradient, Catabiotic and Antibatic, and as mentioned what Weather is it safe to fly in!

Flight Planning– Basic understanding of charts used for flight planning, Training area and hazard location briefing (SWER), OZ Runways.

VHF Radio –Call sign, ERSA, CTAF, Airspace, Circuits, Radio operation, Radio waves.

 

PRACTICAL:

Before Flight – Pre-flight inspections, Starting-Warm up checks, Pre Take off Checks, Canopy layout, weather obs.

Take off – Power management, wing management, taxiing, Climb-out, Level flight, Turns and power, circuits, approaches.  Always being on the lookout for a safe landing spot!

Touch & Go – Steady shallow approach, Step engine out simulation approach, power only approach, full stop procedures, Steering line breakage procedures.

Kiting – The final and most important stage of your practical instruction prior to your SOLO flight.  This is where you fully understand and learn to build your wing by yourself.

Solo – Solo theory test and practical test and then your free to fly by yourself to put all your training in to practice.  Dual progression checks as needed and revision if required.  Practice, Practice and Practice all that you have learnt!  Anyone can fly a PPC, just like anyone can drive a paddock basher on a farm; however it is the constant dedication and practice of the skills learnt that makes the Safest Aviator and one that truly earns the wings of a Pilot for the sky’s.

REMEMBER – The greatest risk to any pilot is their Complacency to the Complexity of what they are about to do – FLIGHT!           Take off is optional, Landing is mandatory!

Safe flying and we welcome you to Granite Field Flight Training -  Sedan, South Australia

POWERED PARACHUTE (PPC)

FLIGHT:  The Powered Parachute is the best way to experience human flight. It is edge of your seat open cockpit flying. It feels almost like you are hovering which makes it the perfect observation platform.  Cruising speed is approximately 60-70kph, which is fast 5 feet of the ground but very slow, smooth and gentle once you start to climb. The higher you go the slower it feels.

SAFETY:  The Powered Parachute is one of, if not the safest type of aircraft in the world for the simple reason its flying wing is a Parachute, designed to reduce the rate of fall to a safe level. By adding power (thrust) we have the ability to make it climb instead of decline therefore if your engine fails you still have steering control and can decline and land as a sky diver would.

TRAINING:  To fly a Powered Parachute you are required to complete a 15 hour course by an approved Instructor after which you will receive your Pilot certificate from RaAus.

BASIC RULES:  You can fly your Powered Parachute to Maximum height of 10,000ft AMSL (above sea level) with the appropriate endorsements. The minimum height is 300ft unless flying over property with the owner’s permission. Most areas outside metropolitan area are suitable. You cannot fly at night or in controlled airspace, e.g., 8 KM from a licensed airfield.

RUNWAYS: You do not require a runway, any reasonably level paddock is ample. The take of distance varies depending on temperature/humidity/altitude/take of weight (TOW) Approximately 50 to150 meters.

TRANSPORT:  Your Powered Parachute will fit on a medium size trailer which means it is easily transported and stored. No hangars necessary. Take it anywhere you like easily.

SET UP:  Your Powered Parachute only requires you to set up for flight which takes about 10min including engine warm up. Packing up takes less than 5min.

MAINTENANCE:  You can do some of the maintenance yourself like replacing tyres, and changing spark plugs. More in-depth maintenance is to be conducted by a RaAus Level 1 or 2 maintenance certifier.

WHO CAN FLY:  Almost anyone can fly. If you are medically fit to drive a motor vehicle or hold a drivers license you can fly, if you can drive a car you can fly a Powered Parachute, it’s easy!

CLUBS:  If you don’t own land to fly from you can ask land owners to fly from their land, offer them a free flight or a small amount of money, they might even give you annual access for a fair price, alternatively there are Powered Parachute clubs that hold regular Fly-ins (gatherings) at regular or various locations which you are welcome to participate in. You will meet people that own land and will be happy to let you fly there.