Assessor Resource

DEFCA008B
Perform an individual static line parachute descent

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 static line parachute descent that commences from an altitude below 3 000 feet above ground level.

Static line parachute descents are a method of deploying from an aircraft where the individual paratrooper is responsible for preparing and fitting parachute equipment; carrying out safety checks; exiting from an aircraft; and controlling a static line descent 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.

Static line parachuting is an inherently dangerous activity consequently the paratroopers must be competent in reacting to and managing, a range of malfunctions and other 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 three solo static line parachute descents from an aircraft at an altitude below 3 000 feet above ground level

correctly demonstrate the following exit techniques from a door or ramp:

as an individual controlled by a despatcher

as part of a group undertaking a continuous exit controlled by a despatcher

as part of a group undertaking simultaneous exits from both doors of the aircraft , controlled by a despatcher

demonstrate the correct drills to recover from a range of emergency situations which as a minimum must include twists, entanglement and collisions, and deploying the reserve parachute

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

Consistency in performance

Competency must be demonstrated over a minimum of three solo parachute descents, supported by simulated malfunctions and emergencies.

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 static line 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 static line parachute descents, although due to safety limitations, assessment of the individual's response to malfunctions and other emergencies will need to be undertaken in a simulated environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to:

aircraft and aircrew

parachutes and personal equipment suitable air space

suitable land drop zone

parachute training facilities that provide adequate simulation

parachute packing facilities including pack tables

communications equipment

transport to and from airport and drop zone

other administrative support.

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

situational awareness

Required Knowledge

application of problem solving procedures

basic flight drills

canopy control techniques

design, characteristics, construction and capabilities of parachutes

effect of environmental conditions on parachuting

exit techniques

harness release and drag procedures

health and safety hazards of parachuting

individual and team safety checks

inspection procedure/routine

landing techniques

malfunction drills

paratrooper log card

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

Live drop parachute and reserve parachute

Personal apparel:

boots

clothing

helmet

Standard procedures may include

Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) manuals and regulations

Job guides, other publications

Manufacturers' handbooks, industry specifications and technical instructions

Occupational health and safety (OH&S) regulations

Operating procedures

Organisational instructions and procedures

Procedure manuals

Routine Orders

Written and verbal orders

Verbal and non-verbal communication may include

Aircraft visual and audible warning devices

Hand signals

Radio communications

Voice commands

On board procedures may include

Safety checks

Fitting parachuting equipment

Carrying out drills or procedures directed by air crew or despatchers

Stop drop and aborted sortie procedures

Individual safety checks may include

Checking individual parachute equipment in aircraft in accordance with standard procedures

Checking other paratroopers' equipment in accordance with standard procedures

Approved techniques to exit the aircraft may include

From the door/ramp:

two seconds apart controlled exit

one second apart continuous exit

simultaneous exit from both doors by day

Basic flight and canopy control techniques may include

Exit position

Awareness count

Canopy inspection

Using risers to steer

Maintaining parachute position

Assessing drift

Situational awareness may include

All round observation

Monitoring altitude/height

Monitoring the position of other paratroopers

Obstacles on the drop zone

Malfunctions may include

Complete malfunction:

broken static line

broken static line cable

broken static line hook

Hang-up

Partial malfunction - high speed

Partial malfunction - low speed

Emergency situations may include

Accidental opening of reserve

Collisions

Emergency abandoning of aircraft

Entanglements with other paratroopers

Hung up paratrooper

Self entanglements

Twists in suspension lines

Correct drills to rectify emergency situations include

Collisions drill

Twist drill

Deploying the reserve parachute

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

Entanglement

Drop zone may include

Known or designated landing areas

Open country

Landing may include

Back (left and right)

Forward (left and right)

Side (left and right

Environmental conditions may include

Turbulence

Variable altitude

Variable temperatures

Variable weather conditions

Wind

Emergency landing may include landing in or on

Buildings

Trees

Vehicles

Water

Wire

Other hazards

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

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 static line 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 
Aircraft is exited using approved techniques 
Canopy is controlled using basic flight and canopy control techniques 
Situational awareness is maintained 
Verbal and non-verbal communication is used with other paratroopers as required 
Relevant drills are conducted to detect and rectify malfunctions in accordance with standard procedures 
Emergency situations are assessed and correct drills are applied to rectify the situation 
Designated drop zone is identified 
Landing techniques are applied in accordance with standard procedures 
Landing is completed in accordance with environmental conditions 
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 static line parachute descent is reviewed 
Documentation is completed accurately and clearly in accordance with standard procedures 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

DEFCA008B - Perform an individual static line 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

DEFCA008B - Perform an individual static line 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: