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Pre-Launch Checklist

1 Month before:

Get CAA permission (which includes NOTAM)
Order Balloons

The week before:

Order Helium
Monitor Jet Stream predictions

The Day before:

Check Wind predictions - calculate predicted path
Systems check
Pick up helium + filling attachments
Charge things that need charging: PC, Receiver, GPS, PMR

The day take:

CAA Permit
Telephone Numbers: ATC - local airfields, emergency services
Payload, batteries (+ spares) RADAR reflector, parachute, cutdown (+ spares)
Balloons, Cable ties, cord, duck tape
Helium, regulator, filling system
Tools inc. Spanners set up filling system
Scales, weights.
Radio System: Receiver, Yagi, Stand, PC, Software, Audio-lead, Batteries (+ spares)
Ancillary stuff like: Table, Chairs, Sun/Rain shade
Recovery: GPS, long pole (for trees), string, PMR (intra recovery team comms)
Boots/Wet weather clothes Sun Hat/Suncream Water/Food

On the Day do:

Final Systems check: Payload, GPS, Radio, receiver, Cutdown test
Set up radio receiver + software
Check for any downlink frequency clashes
Connect up train
Connect up cutdowns
Power up each payload
Test each payload is transmitting correct information
Fill balloon, tie neck attach payloads
Negotiate launch with local ATC
Check sky is clear
Launch
Monitor radio signals
Drive to predicted recovery zone

guides/pre_launch_checklist.txt · Last modified: 2008/07/20 00:33 (external edit)