DEFCA008B - Perform an individual static line parachute descent

DEFCA008B
Perform an individual static line parachute descent

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.

Application

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.

Prerequisites

Prerequisite Unit/s

Nil

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1. Prepare for static line parachute descent	1.1 Instructions to conduct a static line parachute descent are received and details are confirmed with supervisor as necessary 1.2 Appropriate parachute equipment is selected, inspected for serviceability and fitted in accordance with standard procedures 1.3 Unserviceable equipment is quarantined and reported, in accordance with standard procedures
2. Complete on board aircraft procedures	2.1 Aircraft is boarded, and self and equipment are positioned and secured, in accordance with standard procedures 2.2 Verbal and non-verbal communication is used effectively with other personnel on board 2.3 On board procedures and individual safety checks are carried out when instructed by authorised personnel, in accordance with standard procedures
3. Exit from the aircraft and descend	3.1 Aircraft is exited using approved techniques 3.2 Canopy is controlled using basic flight and canopy control techniques 3.3 Situational awareness is maintained 3.4 Verbal and non-verbal communication is used with other paratroopers as required 3.5 Relevant drills are conducted to detect and rectify malfunctions in accordance with standard procedures 3.6 Emergency situations are assessed and correct drills are applied to rectify the situation
4. Land on a drop zone	4.1 Designated drop zone is identified 4.2 Landing techniques are applied in accordance with standard procedures 4.3 Landing is completed in accordance with environmental conditions 4.4 Emergency landing is completed as required, in accordance with standard procedures 4.5 Harness release and drag procedures are applied in accordance with standard procedures, and drop zone is cleared
5. Complete static line post descent procedures	5.1 Post descent de-servicing of parachute equipment is conducted in accordance with standard procedures 5.2 Performance during the individual static line parachute descent is reviewed 5.3 Documentation is completed accurately and clearly in accordance with standard procedures

Required Skills

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

Evidence Required

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.

Range Statement


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

Sectors

Not applicable.

Employability Skills

This unit contains employability skills.

Licensing Information

Not applicable.