DEFCA007B - Perform an individual free fall parachute descent carrying combat equipment assessment tool

Assessor Resource

DEFCA007B
Perform an individual free fall parachute descent carrying combat equipment

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 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 carrying combat equipment that commences from an altitude below 12 000 feet above ground level.

The differentiation between DEFCA006B Perform an individual free fall parachute descent (the prerequisite unit) and this Unit of Competency is that combat equipment adds considerable weight and bulk, and will affect situational awareness, individual free fall positions and manoeuvres, stability, canopy control and manoeuvre, and landing.

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

DEFCA006B Perform an individual free fall parachute descent

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 nine solo free fall 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

carry, as a minimum, the following combat equipment (or the equivalent in weight and size):

individual load carrying equipment

field pack and cover

personal weapon

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

turns left and right

hard arch/wide spread position

wave-off

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 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 of no more than 45 degrees off the aircraft heading

completing turns are 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 with a deviation of no more than 45 degrees off the specified heading.

Consistency in performance

Competency must be demonstrated over a minimum of nine solo parachute descents carrying combat equipment 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 for evidence to be gathered on the correct application of free fall parachute skills and techniques carrying combat equipment, 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 carrying combat equipment, 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 air

crew

parachutes

suitable air space

suitable land drop zone

parachute training facilities that provides 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, characteristics, construction 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

landing techniques

log books and descent folders

malfunction and emergency drills

safety checks

signs, symptoms and treatment of:

decompression illness

hyperventilation

hypothermia

hypoxia

stability recovery procedures

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.
Equipment may include	Combat equipment: field pack and cover harness equipment single point release (HESPR) individual load carrying equipment light stick navigation aids night vision equipment personal radio personal weapon and sling operational sustainment requirements including: ammunition spare clothing and field equipment rations water weapon sleeve Parachute equipment: altimeter audible altitude warning device automatic activation device hook knife live drop parachute and reserve parachute personal apparel: boots coveralls or field uniform gloves goggles helmet
Inspecting equipment for serviceability include	Servicing parachute instruments Setting parachute 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	Exit procedures Fitting of parachuting and combat equipment Performing drills or procedures directed by air crew or despatchers Safety checks Stop drop and aborted sortie procedures
Individual safety checks may include	Arming the automatic activation device Automatic activation device pin checks Individual parachute equipment checks in aircraft
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 side 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 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 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 Orientation to target and/or aircraft Position of other paratroopers
Individual free fall positions and manoeuvres may include	Back slide Box position Delta position Fast fall Forward glide Hard arch/wide spread position Heading maintenance Poised pull position Slow fall Turns left and right Wave-off
Activation malfunctions may include	A high speed malfunction: bag lock complete malfunction hard pull horseshoe malfunction floating ripcord handle 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 front cell rip or tear in canopy slider hang-up above the cascades two canopies flying
Routine opening problems may include	End cell closure Pilot chute hesitation Premature brake release Slider hang up below the cascades Twists
Canopy control and manoeuvre techniques may include	Flying mode: half brakes full brakes full glide front riser/trim tab rear riser Stalls: dynamic steady state Turns: full glide half brake depression half brake fly off full brake 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 or right 90 degree full glide turn If canopy stalls prior to 50% brakes
Malfunction drills apply when	Canopy is deemed uncontrollable
Contingency and emergency situations include	Collisions: in free fall under canopy Combat equipment moving or coming undone Emergency abandoning of aircraft Entanglements Loss of stability on exit or in free fall Tumbling and somersaulting during free fall 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	Dynamic stall landing (flared landing) Half brake parachute landing roll
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 combat 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 Paratrooper 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 equipment is selected, inspected for serviceability, fitted and packed, 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 standard procedures
Relevant drills are conducted to detect and rectify activation malfunctions, and routine opening problems, in accordance with procedures
Descent is controlled 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
Combat equipment is lowered at the correct height during approach as required, and in accordance with standard procedures
Landing is completed, in accordance with environmental conditions and to the degree of accuracy required
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

DEFCA007B - Perform an individual free fall parachute descent carrying combat equipment

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

DEFCA007B - Perform an individual free fall parachute descent carrying combat equipment

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:

Assessor Resource

DEFCA007B Perform an individual free fall parachute descent carrying combat equipmentAssessment tool

Version 1.0 Issue Date: April 2024

Prerequisites

Employability Skills

Evidence Required

Submission Requirements

Assessment Tasks

Observation Checklist

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

DEFCA007B - Perform an individual free fall parachute descent carrying combat equipment

Assessment task 1: [title]

Assessment Record Sheet

DEFCA007B - Perform an individual free fall parachute descent carrying combat equipment

DEFCA007B
Perform an individual free fall parachute descent carrying combat equipment

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024