Flight line checks may only be carried out by people who have been briefed and cleared to do so by BPA instructors.

What should be covered in such a check? 

We take you through a systematic routine covering all the vital safety points. It is appropriate for checking intermediate and experienced parachutists; students may only be checked out by instructors

We assume that all other checks have taken place, ie by the packer at the reserve repack stage, by the individual drop zone and by the jumper in question. The flight line check is done by a suitably qualified person, usually at the emplaning point. It should not be confused with any of the other checks; all have their own functions.

Remember:

• Do not hurry - even if the aircraft is waiting and the boss is shouting!
• Do not interrupt a check - if you are interrupted, start again when you resume o Give it your full attention
• Talk to the jumper
• Don't ignore anything
• Be very careful abroad
• Do not change anything (eg an AAD setting) unless the jumper knows about it and you know how to
• Do not check anything you do not understand. Ask an instructor or rigger

Try to get into a systematic routine - this reduces the chance of forgetting something. What follows is a typical pattern that starts at the top, works down the front, then round and down the back.

From the front:

	1.	Ask the jumper:
		a.	Do they have an AAD (Cypres, Astra, Guardian etc); if so, have they checked it?
		b.	If they have a Pop Top type rig, have they checked their reserve pins?
		c.	Are they are cleared to check themselves?
			On Pop Top rigs (and some other types) you can't check the reserve pins and AAD whilst the rig is being worn. If the jumper is also cleared for flight line checks it is okay to confirm that they have checked their own reserve pins and AAD. If the jumper is not cleared, this must be done by the checker even though it will mean taking the rig off. It is best to remove the rig and verify at this point - rather than getting halfway through the flight line check and having to start again.
	2.	Altimeter and knife
			Whilst facing the parachutist, ensure there is an accessible knife and altimeter (zeroed). If you can't immediately see them, ask the jumper.
	3.	Helmet
			Helmet present and suitable for the experience of the jumper; only D licence holders may jump with a full face helmet, a frappe hat or a camera helmet. Goggles present and clean.
	4.	Three ring system
			Correctly assembled, no obvious damage to risers or loop. Sufficient excess cable, stowed properly in the riser pockets. Risers covered. Do not rotate the rings in a flight line check; if individual jumpers wish to do so, they can turn their own in their morning kit check.
	5.	Chest strap
			Properly threaded, secured and the loose end stowed in an elastic or properly installed velcro.
	6.	Cutaway pad
			Secure but accessible. Pad should be fully up so virtually no cable can be seen.
	7.	Reserve handle
			Some excess ripcord, the nipple secure and no fraying of cable (for pads the previous rules apply).
	8.	Leg straps
			Fully secure, not twisted, ends stowed properly in bungees (mandatory). Comfort pads lying properly.
	9.	Jumpsuit / clothing
			No loose flaps which could obscure handles, altimeters or knives.
	10.	Footwear
			Suitable for the experience of the jumper, secure, no exposed hooks or loose laces.

Note: See Your Handles
Be wary of pads or handles which match the jumpsuit - it makes them hard to see. This is something to watch out for when borrowing gear.

From the Back:

	1.	Reserve pin(s)
			Lift the reserve flap. Grommets and loops in good condition. Pins straight and through the loops sufficiently to prevent a premature but not an over the shoulder deployment. Reserve cable running freely through the housing to the handle. Close the flap securely and carefully; if in any doubt about closing a rig you are not used to, ask for help.
	2.	AAD (If Fitted)
			Check it is on and set correctly. If the jumper has below 200 jumps you must check this with your own eyes, even if that means taking the rig off and re-checking its fitting (see earlier).
	3.	Reserve static line (RSL or Steven's lanyard)
			If fitted, check its routing is correct, ie it will work but will not prevent manual operation of the reserve.
	4.	Main pin
			Correctly assembled, no obvious damage to risers or loop. Sufficient excess cable, stowed properly in the riser pockets. Risers covered. Do not rotate the rings in a flight line check; if individual jumpers wish to do so, they can turn their own in their morning kit check.
	5.	Bridle line and deployment system
		a.	In throwaway systems there must be slack in the bridle where it comes out of the container and goes to the pin. Pin smooth and curved. Bridle between pin and pilot chute pocket is continuous and secured on serviceable velcro - or tucked safely away in the case of BOC. Pilot chute secure in the pocket (no material visible) with the handle clearly accessible.
		b.	In pullout systems, the pin is smooth and straight, the pad is secured and the attachment to the pilot chute is not trapped underneath the flaps. None of the pilot chute should be capable of being trapped in the bottom right hand corner of the pack.
	6.	Final once-over
			A general look to see if anything doesn't look right. If in doubt, check it out.
	7.	Sign the manifest sheet
			By signing a flight line check you have satisfied yourself that the equipment is fitted safely and correctly. If there were an incident, you could be called to account, possibly in court.

And finally
Gear and local rules vary. There are many small things, or rig specific checks, that cannot be included in a list like this. If you are not sure about anything, do not assume it is okay. This is not an area to bluff and there is no shame in ignorance, no-one can be expected to know every system on the market. Ask an instructor or rigger.

This article is a summary only and is not intended to replace a formal brief. If you wish to carry out flight line checks, approach your CCI in the first instance and ask for a brief for yourself and any others who may be interested. Your CCI will also be very willing to let you practise under supervision. There is no substitute for hands-on experience.

Once you have been briefed to carry out flight line checks, do it slowly and conscientiously as you would expect someone to carry out a check on you.

We would like to acknowledge the following sources of information for this article: Chris Jones, Sky Science, Tye Boughen, Peterborough Parachute Centre. We also thank Danny Crossman for his illustrations.

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