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.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENT | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
1. Prepare for a team free fall parachute descent with combat equipment | 1.1 Instructions to conduct a team free fall parachute descent are received and details are confirmed with supervisor as necessary. 1.2 Appropriate equipment is selected, inspected for serviceability, fitted and packed, in accordance with standard procedures. 1.3 Unserviceable equipment is quarantined and reported in accordance with standard procedures. 1.4 Conduct of the descent is rehearsed with team members prior to boarding the aircraft. |
2. Complete on board aircraft procedures with combat equipment | 2.1 Aircraft is boarded, and self and equipment are positioned and secured in accordance with standard procedures. 2.2 Verbal and non 2.3 On board procedures and individual safety checksare carried out when instructed by authorised personnel, in accordance with standard procedures. |
3. Exit from the aircraft and descend by free fall as a member of a team while carrying combat equipment | 3.1 Approved team techniques are used to exit the aircraft. 3.2 Stability in free fall flight is established and maintained while carrying combat equipment. 3.3 When necessary, instability is recovered during exit and free fall team environment, while carrying combat equipment. 3.4 Relative position within the team is established and maintained while carrying combat equipment. 3.5 Situational awareness is appropriately maintained during day and night descents. 3.6 Individual and team free fall positions and manoeuvres are carried out in accordance with standard procedures. 3.7 Effective verbal and non |
4. Control a ram | 4.1 Parachute is activated to open at a designated time or height in accordance with standard procedures. 4.2 Relevant drills are conducted to detect and rectify malfunctions and routine opening problems, in accordance with standard procedures. 4.3 Team leader and team members are identified after canopy opening during day and night descents. 4.4 Team day and night descent are maintained using canopy control and manoeuvre techniques in accordance with standard procedures. 4.5 Controllability checks and malfunction drills are conducted in accordance with standard procedures. 4.6 4.5 Contingency and emergency situations are assessed and the correct drills are while carrying combat equipment are applied to rectify the situation. |
5. Land on a drop zone as a member of a team while carrying combat equipment | 5.1 Designated drop zone marking and wind indicators for day and night descents are identified and target approach is planned. 5.2 Target approach techniques are applied in accordance with standard procedures. 5.3 Combat equipment is lowered at the correct height during approach in accordance with standard procedures. 5.4 Landing is completed safely by day and night for a team descent in accordance with environmental conditions and standard procedures. 5.5 Emergency landings drills with combat equipment are completed in accordance with standard procedures. 5.6 Harness release and drag procedures are applied in accordance with standard procedures and drop zone is cleared without adversely affecting other team members. |
6. Complete free fall post descent procedures | 6.1 Performance during team free fall parachute descent is reviewed. 6.2 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 |
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 |
Evidence Required
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. |
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. | |
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 non | 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 wave |
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 |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
Not applicable.