Assessor Resource

DEFCA006B
Perform an individual free fall parachute descent

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


The application of this unit in the workplace - the environments, complexities and situations involved - will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package.

This text will be useful for the purposes of job descriptions, recruitment advice or job analysis; where possible, it will not be too job specific to allow other industries to import it into other Training Packages, where feasible.

This unit covers the competency required to perform a free fall parachute descent that commences from an altitude below 12 000 feet above ground level.

Free fall parachute descents are a method of deploying from an aircraft where the individual paratrooper is responsible for selecting, preparing and fitting parachuting equipment; carrying out safety checks; exiting from an aircraft; controlling free fall descent; activating the parachute and steering the canopy to land safely on a drop zone.

During the parachute descent individuals must demonstrate situational awareness of their position in relation to altitude, orientation and the location of other paratroopers. They must also be able to communicate verbally, and non-verbally, and to manage a number of potentially hazardous situations.

Free fall parachuting is an inherently dangerous activity consequently paratroopers must be competent to perceive in themselves and others the signs and symptoms of altitude induced medical conditions and to seek assistance.

The individual must also be competent in reacting to and managing, a range of routine parachute opening problems, malfunctions, and other contingencies and emergencies.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)

Prerequisites

Prerequisite Unit/s

Nil


Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.




Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit

Assessment must confirm the ability to:

perform at least five solo free fall descents

parachute descents from an aircraft at an altitude below 12 000 feet above ground level

demonstrate parachute activation at varying heights from the ground with at least one activation occurring within 10 seconds of exiting the aircraft

demonstrate correct servicing, fitting and setting of:

automatic activation device

altimeter

audible altitude warning device

personal apparel

parachute

demonstrate the following individual free fall manoeuvres:

box position

poised pull position

forward glide

back slide

fast fall

slow fall

track

turns left and right

hard arch/wide spread position

wave-off

identify and respond to the following routine opening problems:

twists

end cell closure

slider hang up below the cascades

premature brake release

pilot chute hesitation

identify and respond to the following activation malfunctions:

a high speed malfunction (hard pull, floating ripcord handle, complete malfunction, pilot chute in tow, bag lock, horseshoe malfunction, streamer and premature release of the three rings)

a low speed malfunction (line over, slider hang-up above the cascades, broken suspension line, pilot chute over or in the front cell, rip or tear in canopy, brake lock, broken steering line and two canopies flying)

demonstrate the following canopy control and manoeuvre techniques:

turns (full glide, half brake depression, half brake fly off, full brake, rear riser and front riser)

stalls (steady state and dynamic) and stall recovery

flying modes (full glide, half brakes, full brakes, front riser, rear riser)

demonstrate the correct drills to recover from a range of emergency situations which as a minimum must include uncontrolled or involuntary turns in free fall, entanglement, and collisions in free fall and under canopy

demonstrate the correct drills for an emergency landing on or in buildings, trees, wire and water.

Permitted tolerances are:

achieving stability within 1 000 feet of exiting the aircraft

achieving stability within 1 000 feet of becoming unstable during free fall

completing exits with a deviation no more than 45 degrees off the aircraft heading

completing turns within 45 degrees of the specified heading

conducting forward glide and the track for a minimum of 5 seconds with no more than a 45 degrees deviation off the specified heading

landing safely within 25 metres of the target

activating the ripcord within 250 feet of the planned opening height above ground level with a deviation of no more than 45 degrees off the specified heading.

Consistency in performance

Competency must be demonstrated over a minimum of five solo parachute descents supported by simulated opening problems, malfunctions and other contingencies and emergencies that could be expected in the workplace.

Assessment should be conducted in a timeframe and in a range of contexts and conditions that allows evidence to be gathered on the correct application of free fall parachute skills and techniques, consistent with the Range Statement and the operating environment.

Context of and specific resources for assessment

Context of assessment

Competency must be assessed during the preparation and performance of actual free fall parachute descents although due to safety limitations, assessment of the individual's response to routine opening problems, malfunctions and other contingencies and emergencies will need to be undertaken in a simulated environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to:

aircraft and aircrew

parachutes

suitable air space

suitable land drop zone

parachute training facilities that provide adequate simulation

parachute packing facilities/matted undercover area

communications equipment

transport to and from airport and drop zone.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.

Required Skills

communicate effectively interpret instructions

provide reports and appropriate documentation

situational awareness

Required Knowledge

activation and malfunction drills

application of problem solving procedures

canopy control techniques

controllability checks

design, construction, characteristics and capabilities of free fall parachutes

effect of environmental conditions on parachuting

effects of turbulence on the canopy

exit techniques

free fall positions and manoeuvres

health and safety hazards of parachuting

inspection procedure/routine

instability recovery procedures

landing techniques

log books and descent folders

malfunction and emergency drills

safety checks

signs, symptoms and treatment of:

decompression illness

hyperventilation

hypothermia

hypoxia

theory of flight and canopy control

verbal and non-verbal communication

The Range Statement relates to the Unit of Competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording in the Performance Criteria is detailed below.

Parachute equipment may include

Automatic activation device

Altimeter

Audible altitude warning device

Hook knife

Parachute

Personal apparel:

boots

coveralls

gloves

goggles

helmet

Inspecting parachute equipment for serviceability include

Servicing instruments

Setting instruments

Standard procedures may include

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) manuals and regulations

Defence instructions and publications

Job guides, other publications

Manufacturers' handbooks, industry specifications and technical instructions

Occupational health and safety (OH&S) regulations

Operating procedures

Procedure manuals

Routine Orders

Written and verbal orders

Verbal and non-verbal communication may include

Aircraft visual and audible warning devices

Hand signals

Panels and markers

Plot boards

Radio communications

Voice commands

On board procedures may include

Carrying out drills or procedures directed by air crew or despatchers

Exit procedures

Fitting of parachuting equipment

Safety checks

Stop drop and aborted sortie procedures

Individual safety checks may include

Arming the automatic activation device

Individual parachute equipment checks in aircraft

Pin checks

Altitude induced conditions may include

Decompression illness

Hyperventilation

Hypothermia

Hypoxia

Approved techniques to exit the aircraft may include

From the ramp:

back off

dive

pivot

From the door:

back off

dive

pivot

Permitted tolerances include

Achieving stability within 1 000 feet of exiting the aircraft

Achieving stability within 1 000 feet of becoming unstable during free fall

Completing exits with a deviation of no more than 45 degrees off the aircraft heading

Completing turns within 45 degrees of the specified heading

Conducting forward glide for a minimum of 5 seconds with no more than a 45 degrees deviation off the specified heading

Landing safely within 25 metres of the target

Pulling the ripcord within 250 feet of the planned opening height above ground level with a deviation of no more than 45 degrees off the specified heading

Situational awareness may include

Monitoring altitude/height

Monitoring the position of other paratroopers

Orientation to target and/or aircraft

Individual free fall positions and manoeuvres may include

Back loop

Back slide

Box position

Delta position

Fast fall

Forward glide

Hard arch/wide spread position

Heading maintenance

Poised pull position

Slow falls-track

Track

Turns left and right

Wave-off

Malfunctions may include

A high speed malfunction:

bag lock

complete malfunction

floating ripcord handle

hard pull

horseshoe malfunction

pilot chute in tow

premature release of the three rings

streamer

A low speed malfunction:

brake lock

broken steering line

broken suspension line

line over

pilot chute over or in the front cell

rip or tear in canopy

slider hang-up above the cascades

two canopies flying

Routine opening problems may include

End cell closure

Premature brake release

Pilot chute hesitation

Slider hang up below the cascades

Twists

Canopy control and manoeuvre techniques may include

Flying modes:

half brakes

full brakes

full glide

front riser

rear riser

Stalls:

dynamic

steady state

Turns:

half brake depression

half brake fly off

full brake

full glide

front riser

rear riser

Controllability checks include checking

If canopy requires more than 50% opposite toggle to counter a turn

If canopy stalls/collapses after conducting left and right 90 degree turns

If canopy stalls prior to 50% brakes

Malfunction drills apply when

Canopy is deemed uncontrollable

Contingency and emergency situations may include

Collisions:

in free fall

under canopy

Emergency abandoning of aircraft

Entanglements

Equipment moving or coming undone

Loss of stability on exit or in free fall

Tumbling and somersaulting during free fall

Uncontrolled or involuntary turns in free fall

Correct drills to rectify contingency and emergency situations include

Collisions in free fall and under canopy

Emergency landing on or in buildings, trees, wire and water

Entanglement

Uncontrolled or involuntary turns in free fall

Drop zone marking and wind indicators may include

Alphanumeric marker panels

Geographic features

Smoke

Streamers and flags

Wind sock

Target approach techniques may include

High wind approach

Standard approach

Landing may include

Half brake parachute landing roll

Dynamic stall landing (flared landing)

Environmental conditions may include

Turbulence

Variable altitude

Variable temperatures

Variable weather conditions

Wind:

high

low

Emergency landing may include landing in or on

Buildings

Trees

Vehicles

Water

Wire

Drop zone may include

Known or designated

Land or water

Open country

Post descent de servicing may include

Cleaning parachute and equipment

Inspecting parachute and equipment, and identifying faults

Rectifying or reporting defects with the parachute and/or equipment in accordance with standard procedures

Reviewing performance may include

Obtaining feedback from supervisors, and individuals on parachuting performance and taking corrective action

Viewing video of flight and correcting faults

Documentation may include

Descents folder

Paratroopers log card

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Instructions to conduct a free fall parachute descent are received and details are confirmed with supervisor as necessary 
Appropriate parachute equipment is selected, inspected for serviceability and fitted, in accordance with standard procedures 
Unserviceable equipment is quarantined and reported in accordance with standard procedures 
Aircraft is boarded, and self and equipment are positioned and secured, in accordance with standard procedures 
Verbal and non-verbal communication is used effectively with other personnel on board 
On board procedures and individual safety checks are carried out when instructed by authorised personnel, in accordance with standard procedures 
Signs and symptoms of altitude induced conditions in self and others are monitored and any anomalies are reported to supervisor 
Aircraft is exited using approved techniques within permitted tolerances 
Stability in free fall flight is established and maintained 
When necessary, instability is recovered during exit and free fall 
Situational awareness is maintained 
Individual free fall positions and manoeuvres are carried out in accordance with standard procedures 
Verbal and non-verbal communication is used to communicate effectively with other paratroopers as required 
Parachute is activated to open at a designated time or height in accordance with standard procedures 
Relevant drills are conducted to detect and rectify malfunctions and routine opening problems, in accordance with standard procedures 
Descent is controlled within permitted tolerances using canopy control and manoeuvre techniques 
Controllability checks and malfunction drills are conducted as required 
Contingency and emergency situations are assessed and the correct drills are applied to rectify the situation 
Designated drop zone marking and wind indicators are identified and target approach is planned 
Target approach techniques are applied in accordance with standard procedures 
Landing is completed in accordance with environmental conditions and to the permitted tolerance 
Emergency landing is completed, as required, in accordance with standard procedures 
Harness release and drag procedures are applied in accordance with standard procedures, and drop zone is cleared 
Post descent de-servicing of parachute equipment is conducted in accordance with standard procedures 
Performance during the individual free fall parachute descent is reviewed 
Documentation is completed accurately and clearly in accordance with standard procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

DEFCA006B - Perform an individual free fall parachute descent
Assessment task 1: [title]

Student name:

Student ID:

I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

Student signature:

Result: Competent Not yet competent

Feedback to student

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:


Assessment Record Sheet

DEFCA006B - Perform an individual free fall parachute descent

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

Assessor name:

Signature:

Date:

Student signature:

Date: