Unit of Competency Mapping – Information for Teachers/Assessors – Information for Learners

DEFCA013 Mapping and Delivery Guide
Perform a team free fall parachute descent

Version 1.0
Issue Date: March 2024


Qualification -
Unit of Competency DEFCA013 - Perform a team free fall parachute descent
Description This unit covers the competency required to perform a free fall parachute descent, carrying combat equipment, as part of a team, commencing from an altitude below 12 000 feet above mean sea level and landing on a drop zone during day and night.Team military free fall parachute descents are a method of deploying a team from an aircraft into an operational area and involve the exercise of both individual and team responsibilities. 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.
Employability Skills This unit contains employability skills.
Learning Outcomes and Application This competency was developed for ADF personnel required to perform a free fall parachute descent as part of a team, carrying combat equipment in a deployed operational environment but is applicable to any individual in this field of work.Typically, operators work 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.
Duration and Setting X weeks, nominally xx hours, delivered in a classroom/online/blended learning setting.
Prerequisites/co-requisites Not applicable.
Competency Field
Development and validation strategy and guide for assessors and learners Student Learning Resources Handouts
Activities
Slides
PPT
Assessment 1 Assessment 2 Assessment 3 Assessment 4
Elements of Competency Performance Criteria              
Element: Prepare for a team free fall parachute descent with combat equipment
  • Instructions to conduct a team 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.
  • Conduct of the descent is rehearsed with team members prior to boarding the aircraft.
       
Element: Complete on board aircraft procedures with combat equipment
  • Aircraft is boarded, and 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 checksare carried out when instructed by authorised personnel, in accordance with standard procedures.
       
Element: Exit from the aircraft and descend by free fall as a member of a team while carrying combat equipment
  • Approved team techniques are used to exit the aircraft.
  • Stability in free fall flight is established and maintained while carrying combat equipment.
  • When necessary, instability is recovered during exit and free fall team environment, while carrying combat equipment.
  • Relative position within the team is established and maintained while carrying combat equipment.
  • Situational awareness is appropriately maintained during day and night descents.
  • Individual and team free fall positions and manoeuvres are carried out in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Effective verbal and nonverbal communication is used with other paratroopers as required.
       
Element: Control a ramair canopy descent as a member of a team while carrying combat equipment
  • 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.
  • Team leader and team members are identified after canopy opening during day and night descents.
  • Team day and night descent are maintained using canopy control and manoeuvre techniques in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Controllability checks and malfunction drills are conducted in accordance with standard procedures.
  • 4.5 Contingency and emergency situations are assessed and the correct drills are while carrying combat equipment are applied to rectify the situation.
       
Element: Land on a drop zone as a member of a team while carrying combat equipment
  • Designated drop zone marking and wind indicators for day and night descents 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 in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Landing is completed safely by day and night for a team descent in accordance with environmental conditions and standard procedures.
  • Emergency landings drills with combat equipment are completed in accordance with standard procedures.
  • Harness release and drag procedures are applied in accordance with standard procedures and drop zone is cleared without adversely affecting other team members.
       
Element: Complete free fall post descent procedures
  • Performance during team free fall parachute descent is reviewed.
  • Documentation is completed accurately and clearly in accordance with standard procedures.
       


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 team free fall parachute descents ensuring appropriate parachute equipment is selected, inspected and fitted in accordance with standard procedures.

undertake day and night team free fall parachute descents in accordance with standard procedures and operational guidelines.

apply approved procedures, techniques and drills for exiting aircraft, free fall descent, canopy flight and landing as part of a team.

apply correct drills for contingency and emergency situations as part of a team.

Consistency in performance

Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of simulated or actual workplace situations. involving a number of team parachute descents carrying combat equipment, supported by simulated opening problems, malfunctions and other contingencies and emergencies.

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 as part of a team, carrying combat equipment, although due to safety limitations, assessment of the individual’s response to routine problems, malfunctions and other contingencies and emergencies will need to be undertaken in a simulated environment.

Specific resources for assessment

Access to:

aircraft with ramp and aircrew

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, assignment, 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 free fall descent and canopy flight

exit techniques

free fall positions

activation drill

malfunction drills

canopy control techniques

landing techniques

emergency drills

problem solving skills to determine appropriate actions and remedy emergency situations

Required Knowledge

controllability checks

effect of environmental conditions on parachuting

contingency and emergency situations while carrying combat equipment

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

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

panels and markers

plot boards

radio communications

voice commands

On board procedures may include:

fitting parachute equipment

performing drills or procedures directed by air crew or despatchers

safety checks

stop drop and aborted sortie procedures

Individual safety checks may include:

pin check

automatic activation device pin check

individual and team parachute equipment in aircraft

Authorised Personal may include:

air crew

dispatchers

Team techniques must include:

team from the ramp in single file by both day and night

Situational awareness may include:

monitoring altitude/height

monitoring the position of team members, other teams and other paratroopers

orientation to target, aircraft and other paratroopers

Individual and team free fall positions and manoeuvres may include:

back slide

box position

delta position

forward glide

hard arch/wide spread position

heading maintenance

poised pull position

team manoeuvres – single and in pairs

slow fall

fast fall

turns left and right

waveoff

Malfunctions may include:

a high speed malfunction

a low speed malfunction

Routine opening problems may include:

end cell closure

slider hang up below the cascades

pilot chute hesitation

premature brake release

twists

Canopy control and manoeuvre techniques may include:

flying mode

stalls

turns

Correct drills may include:

collision drill

emergency landing drill

entanglement drill

loss of stability drill

malfunction drill

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

Environmental conditions may include:

turbulence

variable altitude

variable temperatures

variable weather conditions

wind

day and night

Emergency landings may include: landing in or on

trees

water

wire

Drop zone may include:

known

foreign

land

water

Reviewing performance may include:

obtaining feedback from supervisors and individuals on parachuting performance

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 team 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. 
Conduct of the descent is rehearsed with team members prior to boarding the aircraft. 
Aircraft is boarded, and 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 checksare carried out when instructed by authorised personnel, in accordance with standard procedures. 
Approved team techniques are used to exit the aircraft. 
Stability in free fall flight is established and maintained while carrying combat equipment. 
When necessary, instability is recovered during exit and free fall team environment, while carrying combat equipment. 
Relative position within the team is established and maintained while carrying combat equipment. 
Situational awareness is appropriately maintained during day and night descents. 
Individual and team free fall positions and manoeuvres are carried out in accordance with standard procedures. 
Effective verbal and nonverbal communication is used 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. 
Team leader and team members are identified after canopy opening during day and night descents. 
Team day and night descent are maintained using canopy control and manoeuvre techniques in accordance with standard procedures. 
Controllability checks and malfunction drills are conducted in accordance with standard procedures. 
4.5 Contingency and emergency situations are assessed and the correct drills are while carrying combat equipment are applied to rectify the situation. 
Designated drop zone marking and wind indicators for day and night descents 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 in accordance with standard procedures. 
Landing is completed safely by day and night for a team descent in accordance with environmental conditions and standard procedures. 
Emergency landings drills with combat equipment are completed in accordance with standard procedures. 
Harness release and drag procedures are applied in accordance with standard procedures and drop zone is cleared without adversely affecting other team members. 
Performance during team free fall parachute descent is reviewed. 
Documentation is completed accurately and clearly in accordance with standard procedures. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

DEFCA013 - Perform a team 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

DEFCA013 - Perform a team 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: