5-point check

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 5-point check , also known as the start check , describes a sequence of checks in paragliding , which the pilot carries out immediately before take-off. The 5-point check is intended to ensure that a safe take-off and flight, as far as predictable, is possible. The 5-point check is one of the most important safety measures in paragliding.

Overview

In paragliding, a pilot has to do various things before taking off on a flight. In addition to laying out the paraglider and putting on the harness with personal equipment, this also includes the pre-flight check and the 5-point check. With the 5-point check, the pilot checks the most important safety-relevant points again immediately before the start of the take-off run. These are in detail:

  • Helmet, harness and carabiner closed? Checking the reserve parachute: Are the pins in the loops to prevent accidental opening?
  • Lines and risers, if necessary accelerator ok?
  • Leading edge open, umbrella ok?
  • Wind direction and strength ok?
  • Air and start space free?

Only after these tests have been completed does the pilot begin to take off. If there is a delay in take-off after completing the 5-point check, the pilot must do the check again immediately before take-off.

In detail

Helmet, harness, carabiner

Here it is checked whether the helmet is correctly seated and locked, the carrying straps are connected to the carabiners on both sides and the right way round, and the carabiners are closed. Another important aspect here is to check whether the harness is fully applied. In particular, the leg straps must be properly guided and closed, otherwise the pilot could fall out of the harness after take-off.

Lines, risers, accelerators

The pilot checks whether the lines are properly positioned between the riser and the glider. Among other things, care is taken to ensure that there are no throws or knots and that the lines are not caught in stones or branches. If available, it is checked whether the accelerator is free and not rotated. The pilot also checks that the risers are not twisted or messed up.

Leading edge open, umbrella ok

This checks whether the paraglider is properly laid out, the leading edge of the paraglider is open and the pilot is centered on the canopy. Depending on the wind and ground conditions at the launch site, it can happen that the paraglider slips after being laid out or is pushed back together by the wind, which can make the launch difficult or impossible. The pilot can minimize this risk through this test point.

wind

Since paragliding requires a relatively small wind window up to a maximum wind speed of around 30 km / h, the pilot checks here once again whether these conditions are met. The wind should also come mainly from the front; A start with a tailwind is not recommended (slight tailwind) or dangerous to impossible (strong tailwind). In order to determine the wind direction and speed, a wind sock is usually attached at official launch sites .

airspace

Finally, the pilot checks that the airspace and the launch site are free and that no other paraglider or hang glider can endanger the launch. This minimizes the risk of a collision close to the ground.

begin

After the 5-point check, the pilot begins to take off by pulling on the paraglider canopy. With a control look, the canopy is also checked for lines that have previously been undetected before it is lifted off.

swell

Curriculum of the German Hang Glider Association e. V. for paragliders , pdf, DHV

  1. Peter Cröniger: Winding up, controlling, starting . In: DHV Info . No. 147 , 2007, pp. 38-42 ( PDF ).