## Weather 

The weather is a determining factor for all flight oper- ations. Get a full weather briefing prior to your flight, to include the current conditions and forecasts for your departure and destination areas, and along the route of flight. There are many sources for obtaining a weather briefing, such as www.nws.noaa.gov, calling 1-800-WX-BRIEF, and a variety of internet sites that specialize in local and regional weather. Crosswind landings are possible in a powered parachute, but crosswind takeoffs should be avoided. It is important to review your departure procedure at your destina- tion to ensure you don’t get into a field you cannot depart from. In gathering your weather information, know the wind conditions, temperature and dew point spread, sky condition, and visibility. Review Chapters 10 and 11 in the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge for a comprehensive understanding of weather theory, reports, forecasts, and charts. 

PPCs fly best in calm air. Check the wind forecast as well as current conditions, as this information will de- termine whether safe flight can be conducted. Winds less than 10 miles per hour (MPH) are ideal; follow the recommendations provided by the PPC manufac- turer for the aircraft you will be flying. Steady winds that are not gusting are more desirable, as the inflation and overall performance of the wing is more predict- able. For example, 5 MPH with no gusting is better than 1 MPH gusting to 5 MPH. Some types of wings perform differently in certain types of wind condi- tions and pilotage skills—know your wing and your abilities. Crosswind takeoffs in a powered parachute are dangerous and should be avoided. If the runway configuration does not allow for takeoff into the wind, then the flight should be canceled or postponed from that takeoff area. Do not attempt to take off in a cross- wind with a powered parachute unless it is within the pilot and aircraft capabilities, not a limitation in the aircraft POH, and you have been trained thoroughly for this advanced procedure. Crosswind landings are possible in a powered parachute, but crosswind take- offs should be avoided. It is important to review your departure procedure at your destination to ensure you don’t get into a field you cannot depart from. 

Air temperature and humidity directly affect the per- formance of the powered parachute wing and engine. The powered parachute pilot who doesn’t understand and respect the effect(s) density altitude has on any given flight may get into situations that are not de- sirable and could be hazardous. The higher the tem- perature, humidity, and the actual altitude of the field 

you are operating from, the greater the role density altitude plays in determining how much runway the powered parachute needs to get off the ground with the load on board, and how much climb performance the wing will have once airborne. The powered para- chute may have cleared that obstacle at 8 a.m. when the weather conditions were cooler with less humid- ity, but at 1 p.m. with increased air temperature and higher humidity levels the pilot will have to re-evalu- ate the performance of that same aircraft. You need a full understanding of density altitude to be a safe PPC pilot; refer to Chapter 9 in the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge . 

Understand the different cloud formations and the ground/air effects they can produce. [Figure 5-2] Cloud clearance and visibility should be maintained for the operations you intend to conduct (see Chapter 8 for cloud clearance requirements in each class of airspace). Knowledge of thermals and turbulence, and how to determine where they can occur is also important. [Figure 5-3] 

Do not fly when ground and flight visibility is below minimums for your pilot certificate and the class of airspace where you will be operating (see Chapter 8). Be particularly watchful for low visibilities when the air and dewpoint temperatures are within a spread of three or four degrees. The closer these temperatures are to each other, the greater the chance for fog and reduced visibility conditions. 

In addition to adhering to the regulations and manu- facturer recommendations for weather conditions, it’s important for you to develop your own set of personal minimums. These minimums will evolve as you gain experience, and are also dependent on your recency and currency in the make/model of aircraft you will be flying. 

## Weight and Loading 

Weight and loading must be considered before each flight. Do not exceed the maximum gross weight as specified in the POH. Always follow the POH perfor- mance limitations. 

The balance of the pilot, passenger, fuel and baggage must be compared to the limitations, and the wing at- tachment to the fuselage position must be within the limits as specified in the POH. The cart must be bal- anced properly or an unsafe cart configuration, either nose-high or nose-low will result. 

