Application
This unit describes the skills required to perform a free fall parachute descent, carrying combat equipment, as part of a team. Descents commence from an altitude below 12 000 feet above mean sea level and land 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.
This unit was developed for military personnel required to perform a free fall parachute descent in a deployed operational environment but is applicable to any individual in this field of work.
The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.
Those undertaking this unit would work as part of a team, under direct and/or indirect supervision. They would use discretion and judgement, and take responsibility for the quality of their outputs while performing specific tasks in a broad range of unpredictable contexts.
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
Elements and Performance Criteria
ELEMENTS | PERFORMANCE CRITERIA |
Elements describe the essential outcomes | Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section. |
1. Prepare for a team free fall parachute descent with combat equipment | 1.1 Confirm instructions to conduct a team free fall parachute descent. 1.2 Select, fit and pack equipment and inspect for serviceability. 1.3 Quarantine and report unserviceable equipment. 1.4 Rehearse conduct of the descent with team members prior to boarding the aircraft. |
2. Complete on board aircraft procedures with combat equipment | 2.1 Board aircraft with equipment and position and secure self and equipment. 2.2 Communicate verbally and non-verbally with other personnel on board. 2.3 Carry out safety checks. |
3. Exit from the aircraft and descend by free fall as a member of a team while carrying combat equipment | 3.1 Exit the aircraft using team techniques. 3.2 Establish and maintain stability in free fall flight and recover from instability when necessary. 3.3 Establish and maintain relative position within the team. 3.4 Maintain situational awareness during day and night descents. 3.5 Carry out individual and team free fall positions and manoeuvres. 3.6 Communicate verbally and non-verbally with other paratroopers as required. |
4. Control a ram air canopy descent as a member of a team while carrying combat equipment | 4.1 Activate parachute to open at a designated time or height. 4.2 Conduct relevant drills to detect and rectify malfunctions and routine opening problems. 4.3 Identify team leader and team members after canopy opening during day and night descents. 4.4 Maintain team day and night descent using canopy control and manoeuvre techniques. 4.5 Conduct controllability checks and malfunction drills. 4.6 Assess contingency and emergency situations and apply the correct drills to rectify the situation. |
5. Land on a drop zone as a member of a team while carrying combat equipment | 5.1 Identify designated drop zone marking and wind indicators for day and night descents and plan target approach. 5.2 Lower combat equipment at the correct height during approach. 5.3 Apply target approach techniques to land in accordance with environmental conditions. 5.4 Complete emergency landings drills. 5.5 Apply harness release and drag procedures. 5.6 Clear drop zone without adversely affecting other team members. |
6. Complete free fall post descent procedures | 6.1 Review performance during team free fall parachute descent. 6.2 Complete documentation. |
Evidence of Performance
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.
maintaining situational awareness during free fall descent and canopy flight
using exit techniques, canopy control techniques, landing techniques
maintaining free fall positions
carrying out activation drills, malfunction drills, emergency drills
Evidence of Knowledge
Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.
controllability checks
effect of environmental conditions on parachuting
contingency and emergency situations while carrying combat equipment
Assessment Conditions
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.
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.
Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.
Foundation Skills
The foundation skills demands of this unit have been mapped for alignment with the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF). The following tables outline the performance levels indicated for successful attainment of the unit.
Further information on ACSF and the foundation skills underpinning this unit can be found in the Foundation Skills Guide on the GSA website.
Competency Field
Military Skills