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 free fall parachute descent | 1.1 Instructions to conduct a free fall 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 2.4 Signs and symptoms of altitude induced conditions in self and others are monitored and any anomalies are reported to supervisor |
3. Exit from the aircraft and descend by free fall | 3.1 Aircraft is exited using approved techniques within permitted tolerances 3.2 Stability in free fall flight is established and maintained 3.3 When necessary, instability is recovered during exit and free fall 3.4 Situational awareness is maintained 3.5 Individual free fall positions and manoeuvres are carried out in accordance with standard procedures 3.6 Verbal and non-verbal communication is used to communicate effectively with other paratroopers as required |
4. Control a ram-air canopy descent | 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 Descent is controlled within permitted tolerances using canopy control and manoeuvre techniques 4.4 Controllability checks and malfunction drills are conducted as required 4.5 Contingency and emergency situations are assessed and the correct drills are applied to rectify the situation |
5. Land on a drop zone | 5.1 Designated drop zone marking and wind indicators are identified and target approach is planned 5.2 Target approach techniques are applied in accordance with standard procedures 5.3 Landing is completed in accordance with environmental conditions and to the permitted tolerance 5.4 Emergency landing is completed, as required, in accordance with standard procedures 5.5 Harness release and drag procedures are applied in accordance with standard procedures, and drop zone is cleared |
6. Complete free fall post descent procedures | 6.1 Post descent de-servicing of parachute equipment is conducted in accordance with standard procedures 6.2 Performance during the individual free fall parachute descent is reviewed 6.3 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 provide reports and appropriate documentation situational awareness |
Required Knowledge |
activation and malfunction drills application of problem solving procedures canopy control techniques controllability checks design, construction, characteristics and capabilities of free fall parachutes effect of environmental conditions on parachuting effects of turbulence on the canopy exit techniques free fall positions and manoeuvres health and safety hazards of parachuting inspection procedure/routine instability recovery procedures landing techniques log books and descent folders malfunction and emergency drills safety checks signs, symptoms and treatment of: decompression illness hyperventilation hypothermia hypoxia 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 at least five solo free fall descents parachute descents from an aircraft at an altitude below 12 000 feet above ground level demonstrate parachute activation at varying heights from the ground with at least one activation occurring within 10 seconds of exiting the aircraft demonstrate correct servicing, fitting and setting of: automatic activation device altimeter audible altitude warning device personal apparel parachute demonstrate the following individual free fall manoeuvres: box position poised pull position forward glide back slide fast fall slow fall track turns left and right hard arch/wide spread position wave-off identify and respond to the following routine opening problems: twists end cell closure slider hang up below the cascades premature brake release pilot chute hesitation identify and respond to the following activation malfunctions: a high speed malfunction (hard pull, floating ripcord handle, complete malfunction, pilot chute in tow, bag lock, horseshoe malfunction, streamer and premature release of the three rings) a low speed malfunction (line over, slider hang-up above the cascades, broken suspension line, pilot chute over or in the front cell, rip or tear in canopy, brake lock, broken steering line and two canopies flying) demonstrate the following canopy control and manoeuvre techniques: turns (full glide, half brake depression, half brake fly off, full brake, rear riser and front riser) stalls (steady state and dynamic) and stall recovery flying modes (full glide, half brakes, full brakes, front riser, rear riser) demonstrate the correct drills to recover from a range of emergency situations which as a minimum must include uncontrolled or involuntary turns in free fall, entanglement, and collisions in free fall and under canopy demonstrate the correct drills for an emergency landing on or in buildings, trees, wire and water. Permitted tolerances are: achieving stability within 1 000 feet of exiting the aircraft achieving stability within 1 000 feet of becoming unstable during free fall completing exits with a deviation no more than 45 degrees off the aircraft heading completing turns within 45 degrees of the specified heading conducting forward glide and the track for a minimum of 5 seconds with no more than a 45 degrees deviation off the specified heading landing safely within 25 metres of the target activating the ripcord within 250 feet of the planned opening height above ground level with a deviation of no more than 45 degrees off the specified heading. Consistency in performance Competency must be demonstrated over a minimum of five solo parachute descents supported by simulated opening problems, malfunctions and other contingencies and emergencies that could be expected in the workplace. 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 free fall 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 free fall parachute descents although due to safety limitations, assessment of the individual's response to routine opening problems, malfunctions and other contingencies and emergencies will need to be undertaken in a simulated environment. Specific resources for assessment Access to: aircraft and aircrew parachutes suitable air space suitable land drop zone parachute training facilities that provide adequate simulation parachute packing facilities/matted undercover area communications equipment transport to and from airport and drop zone. |
Guidance information for assessment | Information that will assist or guide assessment will be written during Phase II of the Review of the PUA00 Public Safety Training Package. |
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 | Automatic activation device Altimeter Audible altitude warning device Hook knife Parachute Personal apparel: boots coveralls gloves goggles helmet |
Inspecting parachute equipment for serviceability include | Servicing instruments Setting instruments |
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 Occupational health and safety (OH&S) regulations Operating procedures Procedure manuals Routine Orders Written and verbal orders |
Verbal and non-verbal 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 | Carrying out drills or procedures directed by air crew or despatchers Exit procedures Fitting of parachuting equipment Safety checks Stop drop and aborted sortie procedures |
Individual safety checks may include | Arming the automatic activation device Individual parachute equipment checks in aircraft Pin checks |
Altitude induced conditions may include | Decompression illness Hyperventilation Hypothermia Hypoxia |
Approved techniques to exit the aircraft may include | From the ramp: back off dive pivot From the door: back off dive pivot |
Permitted tolerances include | Achieving stability within 1 000 feet of exiting the aircraft Achieving stability within 1 000 feet of becoming unstable during free fall Completing exits with a deviation of no more than 45 degrees off the aircraft heading Completing turns within 45 degrees of the specified heading Conducting forward glide for a minimum of 5 seconds with no more than a 45 degrees deviation off the specified heading Landing safely within 25 metres of the target Pulling the ripcord within 250 feet of the planned opening height above ground level with a deviation of no more than 45 degrees off the specified heading |
Situational awareness may include | Monitoring altitude/height Monitoring the position of other paratroopers Orientation to target and/or aircraft |
Individual free fall positions and manoeuvres may include | Back loop Back slide Box position Delta position Fast fall Forward glide Hard arch/wide spread position Heading maintenance Poised pull position Slow falls-track Track Turns left and right Wave-off |
Malfunctions may include | A high speed malfunction: bag lock complete malfunction floating ripcord handle hard pull horseshoe malfunction pilot chute in tow premature release of the three rings streamer A low speed malfunction: brake lock broken steering line broken suspension line line over pilot chute over or in the front cell rip or tear in canopy slider hang-up above the cascades two canopies flying |
Routine opening problems may include | End cell closure Premature brake release Pilot chute hesitation Slider hang up below the cascades Twists |
Canopy control and manoeuvre techniques may include | Flying modes: half brakes full brakes full glide front riser rear riser Stalls: dynamic steady state Turns: half brake depression half brake fly off full brake full glide front riser rear riser |
Controllability checks include checking | If canopy requires more than 50% opposite toggle to counter a turn If canopy stalls/collapses after conducting left and right 90 degree turns If canopy stalls prior to 50% brakes |
Malfunction drills apply when | Canopy is deemed uncontrollable |
Contingency and emergency situations may include | Collisions: in free fall under canopy Emergency abandoning of aircraft Entanglements Equipment moving or coming undone Loss of stability on exit or in free fall Tumbling and somersaulting during free fall Uncontrolled or involuntary turns in free fall |
Correct drills to rectify contingency and emergency situations include | Collisions in free fall and under canopy Emergency landing on or in buildings, trees, wire and water Entanglement Uncontrolled or involuntary turns in free fall |
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 |
Landing may include | Half brake parachute landing roll Dynamic stall landing (flared landing) |
Environmental conditions may include | Turbulence Variable altitude Variable temperatures Variable weather conditions Wind: high low |
Emergency landing may include landing in or on | Buildings Trees Vehicles Water Wire |
Drop zone may include | Known or designated Land or water Open country |
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 | Descents folder Paratroopers log card |
Sectors
Not applicable.
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills. |
Licensing Information
Not applicable.