Assessor Resource

DEFCA012
Perform an individual static line parachute descent

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


This competency was developed for ADF personnel required to perform static line parachute descents carrying combat equipment in a deployed operational environment but is applicable to any individual in this field of work.

Typically, operators work independently and as part of a team under direct and/or indirect supervision, use discretion and judgement, and take responsibility for the quality of their outputs. All activities are carried out in accordance with relevant organisational policies and procedures and the parachute manufacture’s limitations.

This unit covers the competency required for ADF personnel to perform static line parachute descents carrying combat equipment by day or night. The addition of combat equipment adds considerable weight and bulk which affects all aspects of the descent.

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication. In a Defence context, this means that there is no civilian need to hold this unit in order to meet licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements.

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

Prerequisites

Not applicable.


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:

prepare for combat equipped static line parachute descents ensuring appropriate parachute equipment is selected, inspected and fitted in accordance with standard procedures.

undertake day or night static line parachute descents while carrying combat equipment in accordance with standard procedures and operational guidelines.

apply approved procedures, techniques and drills for exiting aircraft, canopy flight and landing while carrying combat equipment.

apply correct drills for emergency situations while carrying combat equipment

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of simulated or actual workplace situations, including a number of individual static line parachute descents with combat equipment and including at least one night descent, supported by simulated malfunctions and other emergencies.

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 by day or night carrying combat equipment, 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

parachute systems

suitable air space

suitable land drop zone

parachute training facilities that provides adequate simulation

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

situational awareness during canopy flight

exit techniques

basic flight drills

canopy control techniques

landing techniques

harness release and drag procedures

individual safety checks

malfunction drill

problem solving skills to determine appropriate actions and remedy emergency situations

Required Knowledge

emergency situations

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

personal radio

personal weapon and sling

operational sustainment requirements including:

ammunition

spare clothing and field equipment

rations

water

weapon sleeve

live drop parachute and reserve parachute

personal apparel:

boots

field uniform

helmet

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

work health and safety (WHS) regulations

operating procedures

procedure manuals

routine orders

written and verbal orders

Verbal and nonverbal communication may include:

aircraft visual and audible warning devices

hand signals

radio communications

voice commands

On board procedures may include:

exit procedures

fitting parachuting and combat equipment

safety checks

stop drop and aborted sortie procedures

Individual safety checks may include:

individual parachute and combat equipment checks in aircraft

checking other paratroopers’ equipment

Authorised Personal may include:

air crew

dispatchers

Approved techniques must include:

from the door or ramp:

continuous exit by day

continuous exit by night

Malfunctions may include:

complete malfunction

hangup

partial malfunction – high speed

partial malfunction – low speed

Situational awareness may include:

all round observation

equipment lowering height

monitoring altitude/height

monitoring the position of other paratroopers

obstacles on the drop zone

Basic flight and canopy control techniques may include:

exit position with combat equipment

awareness count

canopy inspection

using risers to steer

maintaining parachute position

assessing drift

Emergency situations may include:

accidental opening of reserve

collisions

emergency abandoning of aircraft

entanglements with other paratroopers

hungup paratrooper

self-entanglements

twists in suspension lines

parachute malfunction

Correct drills may include:

collisions drill

twist drill

malfunction drill

jettisoning of equipment

emergency landings

entanglement

Drop zone may include:

known or foreign

open country

Landing techniques 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 landings may include:

trees

wire

water

Reviewing performance may include:

obtaining feedback from supervisors and individuals on parachuting performance and taking corrective action

viewing video of flight and correcting faults

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 with combat equipment are received and details are confirmed with supervisor as necessary. 
Appropriate 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 both self and equipment are positioned and secured in accordance with standard procedures. 
Verbal and nonverbal 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 carrying combat equipment using approved techniques. 
Relevant drills are conducted to detect and rectify malfunctions in accordance with standard procedures. 
Situational awareness is appropriately maintained during day or night descents. 
Verbal and nonverbal communication is used to communicate effectively with other paratroopers as required. 
Canopy is controlled using basic flight and canopy control techniques while carrying combat equipment. 
In flight combat equipment drills are carried out in accordance with standard procedures. 
Emergency situations are assessed and the correct drillswhile carrying combat equipment are applied to rectify the situation. 
Designated drop zone is identified. 
Combat equipment is lowered in accordance with standard procedures. 
Landing techniques are applied in accordance with standard procedures. 
Landing is completed safely with combat equipment in accordance with environmental conditions. 
Emergency landings while carrying combat equipment is completed in accordance with standard procedures. 
Harness release and drag procedures are applied in accordance with standard procedures and drop zone is cleared. 
Performance during the individual static line parachute descent is reviewed. 
Log card is completed accurately and clearly in accordance with standard procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

DEFCA012 - 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

DEFCA012 - 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: