Powered parachute proposals for member consultation

[Aerochute Kev]

Hi Ed

 

All good, just enjoying my flying and keeping the farm running. Unfortunately I had just started when the last review changes were incorporated into the Op's Manual. That meant the rating would have been next to useless unless I spent the next few years being supervised. I stopped then as it was unachievabe. I can't leave the farm at short notice for that period of time. Let's hope things will be different in the future.

 

 

[Guest GraemeM]

To our board members who post here.

 

I sent in a request for discussion between the board about the consideration of PPC instructors and CFI's. How were they the board approaching the shortfall in this area? When Aerochute Industries practically control this area of RAA how is a new and upcoming instructor to get his time and qualifications completed?

 

I know that I was not the only concerned member to raise this question but I have not seen or received a reply as of yet on this specific problem!

 

It has been talked about a lot here but no real answers have been forthcoming.

 

I asked a couple of the PPC instructors some time ago about teaching me to fly in my own home built machine copied from some imported models, the one's with all the controls opposite to the Australian made Aerochute. Their answer's were all the same, "can't be done, you must take lessons in the certified Aerochute". That is just lies, it is up to the instructors discretion and our opps manual says that I CAN be instructed in my own machine that I built if it is legal and suitable.

 

To discourage anybody from doing something different Aerochute Industries even published an article some years ago stating that we needed a certain number of hours before we could fit and use an elliptical chute, more lies.

 

I even contacted the then opps manager with my concerns about instructions and was told to just learn in an Aerochute and then go fly my own machine. I thought that was very unsafe advice at the time and still think so. Go and learn in a machine that has no ground steering, hand operated chute controls, foot throttle and a square chute then go home and jump in a machine that has a steerable nose wheel, foot operated chute controls, hand throttle and an elliptical chute. Everything back to front for the first flight in a very different machine with very different maners and having only just completed 20 hours of training, good advice hey.

 

PPC's are a very fast growing part of fun flying throughout many parts of the world, but not here in Australia, why?

 

I believe our board needs to spend a bit more time listening to there membership and coming up with ways to further their growth.

 

As stated previously, more than half the PPC's in Australia are not on the books, why?

 

Graeme.

 

 

[turboplanner]

I even contacted the then opps manager with my concerns about instructions and was told to just learn in an Aerochute and then go fly my own machine. I thought that was very unsafe advice at the time and still think so. Go and learn in a machine that has no ground steering, hand operated chute controls, foot throttle and a square chute then go home and jump in a machine that has a steerable nose wheel, foot operated chute controls, hand throttle and an elliptical chute. Everything back to front for the first flight in a very different machine with very different maners and having only just completed 20 hours of training, good advice hey.

I'd agree with you there for sure; however even on this forum you have been represented by people who think PPCs are so simple that you can't be killed in one, and the training should be much shorter and simpler than say for a Gazelle, even though both are using CASA air which requires training in Radio, Met, Performance and Operations and Navigation.

 

At least you're switched on to the dangers of elliptical/narrow profile chutes which can stall, sometimes more due to the conditions than your input. That needs a lot more discussion and specialised training in itself.

 

PPC's are a very fast growing part of fun flying throughout many parts of the world, but not here in Australia, why?

Same reasons that Rag and tube are struggling, along with a lot of entry level sports which require some serious study and a long period to build skill levels.

 

I believe our board needs to spend a bit more time listening to there membership and coming up with ways to further their growth.

They have to administer, you have to market, and put your own money into your own class.

 

As stated previously, more than half the PPC's in Australia are not on the books, why?

As I recall it's been suggested a couple of times that what amounts to several hundred of these people are flying unregistered.

I'm sure CASA didn't miss those comments; in the past they've reacted to single posts on single transgressions, so the whole PPC movement could be in for some scrutiny.

 

People are basically lazy - hundreds take part in street racing in cars which would do well in formal racing, but they just can't be bothered waiting until and even is on, or having their cars checked.

 

Aerochute, have identified the problem, and set up a holistic system to market their product.

 

Nothing to stop the rest of you doing the same, but you will have to club in to finance a network of instructors.

 

I know there are big distances involved for some people, but its the same for Aerobatics, Low Level, etc.

 

 

[Cosmick]

I'd agree with you there for sure; however even on this forum you have been represented by people who think PPCs are so simple that you can't be killed in one, and the training should be much shorter and simpler than say for a Gazelle, even though both are using CASA air which requires training in Radio, Met, Performance and Operations and Navigation.At least you're switched on to the dangers of elliptical/narrow profile chutes which can stall, sometimes more due to the conditions than your input. That needs a lot more discussion and specialised training in itself.

Turbs the problem is that everyone is taught in the 32 Factory registered Aerochute. This PPC is the simplest and safest. Evolving to especially the 2 point attached Eliptical is where the dynamics change to a machine that can stall, problem is there is no one to train you.

 

FYI the recent PPC fatality appears to be the result of a broken bolt.

 

To discourage anybody from doing something different Aerochute Industries even published an article some years ago stating that we needed a certain number of hours before we could fit and use an elliptical chute, more lies.

Graeme the Aerochute is as you know a approved Factory Built machine and cannot be fitted with any other chute unless approved by the Manufacturer.

 

 

[Guest GraemeM]

Graeme the Aerochute is as you know a approved Factory Built machine and cannot be fitted with any other chute unless approved by the Manufacturer.

Sorry Mick, Not making myself real clear there was I.

 

The article was referring to fitting an elliptical to any machine and wanting to fly under one. They were saying you needed a certain number of hours and an endorsement. Just not true.

 

My point here is these are the people RAA approach for advice and information on PPC's instead of the flying members.

 

Graeme.

 

 

[Guest GraemeM]

One of the top selling albums of all time and still a favorite of mine is "The Sounds of Silence".

 

Graeme.

 

 

[Cosmick]

The issue is that there are machines coming into this country which none of the current CFI's fly. RAA don't pay CFI's - CFI's pay RAA. RAA does not employ CFI's, it is up to an individual with passion to go the yards, spend the money and get experience here and/or overseas. Than with the assistance of a Manufacturer cross the T's and dot the I's and spend the money to get an elliptical machine a 32 rego for training and re-write the sylabus for that type.

 

I don't think it is going to happen. There just isn't the money in the sport at this stage. Our local Group D CFI's FTF is at my place and flys out of Caboolture and Watts Bridge and he would be lucky to train half a dozen a year. Do the Sums....

 

FYI due to locations training includes circuits and radio.

 

My thoughts are that Elliptical's are a progression from PPG's and would probably best be managed by HGFA as their instructors have experience on the type of wing and training in PPC's can reduce hours required in HGFA and visa versa.

 

 

[winsor68]

What do they do in the States for training?

 

 

[kasper]

What do they do in the States for training?

If its single within FAR103 115kg ultralight then nothing - they just go fly

If its outside FAR103 then its a sports pilot licence plus N number regn

 

For the sport pilot training many of the US manufacturers have agreements with CFIs to provide the Sport Pilot training local to their base and for others its find a CFI who does it ... but in any event it's sport pilot licence so as a licence it covers everything any other 'group' of aircraft does and sits within the FI/CFI determined competency assessment then its to the examiner for the check flight - at the end you get added to your sports pilot licence the "powered parachute class"

 

 

[Cosmick]

How do you do a Cross Country endorsement in a PPC?

ABN 40 070 931 645

 

Operations Manual Issue 7 amendments snapshot

 

CAO 95.10

 

• Section 2.01
   
   
   
   
  
•  Changes to Powered Parachute Pilot Certificate issue, now requesting Examiners add a logbook entry referencing the specific wing and base endorsement (para 2) and removing the cross country endorsement provided specific requirements are met (para 6)