In-Flight Emergency Procedures
Caused by Unsafe Flight Conditions

Objective

• To familiarize the student with in-flight emergency procedures and begin the development of automatic pilot responses that will result in a safe correction or landing in an actual emergency

Elements

• Dual flight to recognize in-flight emergencies
• Preplanned responses to emergencies
• Practice previously introduced maneuvers

Equipment

• Balloon Flight Manual, Emergency Procedures
• Airworthy balloon

Instructor’s Actions

• Pre-flight discussion
• Review emergency procedures in Balloon Flight Manual
• Practice selected maneuvers previously introduced
• In-flight demonstration of fuel system emergencies
• In-flight demonstration of simulated emergency conditions caused by dangerous thermatic and other unsafe flight conditions

Student's Actions

• Perform each maneuver as directed or explain emergency procedure
• Practice selected maneuver previously introduced
  • Flight Planning
  • Inflation
  • Launch
  • Level flight
  • Approaches and landings (shallow and steep)
• Respond to instructor's simulated emergency procedures
  • Sudden impending power line
  • Operation over power lines
  • Thermal updraft and downdrafts
  • Thunderstorm
  • Thermal inversion
  • False lift-launch
  • False lift-landing
  • Sudden ground winds
  • Hard landing
  • Hazard of ground assistance
  • Spooked livestock
  • Developing cloud or fog
  • Crown line caught in tree
  • Landing in water
  • Landing in trees
  • Drop line landing
  • Drop line caught in tree
  • Throat closure due to sheer or over venting
  • Approaching obstacles
  • Hypoxia
  • Hyperventilation
  • Hypothermia
  • Vertigo
  • Emergency radio communication

Completion Standards

The Student demonstrates through oral quizzing and response during flight maneuvers that he/she is familiar with in-flight emergencies caused by unsafe flight consitions, their causes and remedies, and show improved proficiency performing flight maneuvers previously introduced.