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Even though you may not be using a standard runway, you may need to cross active runways or taxiways to get to the area designated for powered parachute operations. That means understanding radio commu- nications and keeping your eyes and ears open. You probably have better visibility than a pilot in a typical airplane. 

The primary requirements for safe taxiing are positive control of the aircraft at all times, the ability to recog- nize potential hazards in time to avoid them, and the ability to stop or turn where and when desired. While on the ground, the throttle directly controls your groundspeed. It is important not to taxi too fast, and be careful no one is in your prop blast. Going too fast can damage the frame or the suspension. The grass you taxi on could have holes and ditches, and damage the suspension. When taxiway centerline stripes are provided, they should be observed unless necessary to clear airplanes or obstructions. 

Ground steering is accomplished by controlling the ground steering bar. The ground steering bar may in fact be a bar, handle, wheel, or lever; ground steer- ing controls are as varied as the powered parachutes themselves. Operate the ground steering in a slow and deliberate manner, never jerky or erratic. Some ground steering bars are pushed forward to turn right and pulled back to turn left. Others are just the op- posite. Consult the POH for each make and model of aircraft you fly to determine the safe and proper operation of the ground steering. 

When taxiing, it is best to slow down before attempt- ing a turn. Sharp, high-speed turns place undesirable side loads on the landing gear and may result in an uncontrollable swerve. If the wing is inflated, the cart will not follow the direction of the wing due to the 

friction (via the wheels) with the ground. If the cart and the wing are not going in the same direction, you must prevent the wing from gaining enough lift (via cart groundspeed) to pull the cart over on its side. (See Chapter 12 for more details on pull-overs.) Ad- just power or apply braking as necessary to control the taxi speed. More engine power may be required to start the powered parachute moving forward, or to start a turn, than is required to keep it moving in any given direction. When using additional power, retard the throttle immediately once the powered parachute begins moving, to prevent excessive acceleration. 

When first beginning to taxi the PPC cart, if equipped with brakes, test them for proper operation as soon as the powered parachute is put in motion (typically with a hand control). Apply power to start the powered parachute moving forward slowly, and then retard the throttle and simultaneously apply pressure smoothly to the brakes. 

To avoid overheating the brakes when taxiing, keep engine power to a minimum. Rather than continu- ously riding the brakes to control speed, it is better to apply brakes only occasionally. Other than sharp turns at low speed, the throttle should be at idle before the brakes are applied. It is a common error to taxi with a power setting that requires controlling taxi speed with the brakes. This is the aeronautical equivalent of driv- ing an automobile with both the accelerator and brake pedals depressed at the same time. 

When taxiing with an inflated wing (kiting), the ram- air wing will try to weathervane. The wing is designed to be self-centering; its strongest desire is to point into the wind. 

Stop the powered parachute with the nosewheel straight ahead to relieve any side load on the nose - wheel and to make it easier to start moving ahead. 

At nontowered airports, you should announce your intentions on the common traffic advisory frequency (CTAF) assigned to that airport. When operating from an airport with an operating control tower, you must contact the appropriate controller for a clearance to taxi, and a takeoff clearance before taxiing onto the active runway. 

After landing, taxiing with the parachute inflated re- quires you to coordinate movements between the roll- ing cart on the ground and the flying wing in the air. Cross-controlling by steering the cart one way while failing to steer the wing in the same direction creates 

