DEFCA012 Perform an individual static line parachute descent

Release: 1

DEFCA012 Perform an individual static line parachute descent

Modification History

Release	TP Version	Comments
1	DEF12 V2	Primary release. Supersedes and is equivalent to DEFCA008B Perform an individual static line parachute descent.

Unit Descriptor

This unit covers the competency required for ADF personnel to perform static line parachute descents carrying combat equipment by day or night. The addition of combat equipment adds considerable weight and bulk which affects all aspects of the descent.

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.

Application of the Unit

This competency was developed for ADF personnel required to perform static line parachute descents carrying combat equipment in a deployed operational environment but is applicable to any individual in this field of work.

Typically, operators work independently and 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 and the parachute manufacture’s limitations.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

Not applicable.

Pre-Requisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills Information

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

Elements describe the essential outcomes of a Unit of Competency.	Performance Criteria describe the required performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the Range Statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the Evidence Guide.

Elements and Performance Criteria

ELEMENT	PERFORMANCE CRITERIA
1. Prepare for static line parachute descent carrying combat equipment	1.1 Instructions to conduct a static line parachute descent with combat equipment are received and details are confirmed with supervisor as necessary. 1.2 Appropriate 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 carrying combat equipment	2.1 Aircraft is boarded and both self and equipment are positioned and secured in accordance with standard procedures. 2.2 Verbal and nonverbal 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 carrying combat equipment	3.1 Aircraft is exited carrying combat equipment using approved techniques. 3.2 Relevant drills are conducted to detect and rectify malfunctions in accordance with standard procedures. 3.3 Situational awareness is appropriately maintained during day or night descents. 3.4 Verbal and nonverbal communication is used to communicate effectively with other paratroopers as required. 3.5 Canopy is controlled using basic flight and canopy control techniques while carrying combat equipment. 3.6 In flight combat equipment drills are carried out in accordance with standard procedures. 3.7 Emergency situations are assessed and the correct drills while carrying combat equipment are applied to rectify the situation.
4. Land on a drop zone with combat equipment	4.1 Designated drop zone is identified. 4.2 Combat equipment is lowered in accordance with standard procedures. 4.3 Landing techniques are applied in accordance with standard procedures. 4.4 Landing is completed safely with combat equipment in accordance with environmental conditions. 4.5 Emergency landings while carrying combat equipment is completed in accordance with standard procedures. 4.6 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 Performance during the individual static line parachute descent is reviewed. 5.2 Log card is completed accurately and clearly in accordance with standard procedures.

Required Skills and Knowledge

This describes the essential skills and knowledge and their level, required for this unit.
Required Skills
situational awareness during canopy flight exit techniques basic flight drills canopy control techniques landing techniques harness release and drag procedures individual safety checks malfunction drill problem solving skills to determine appropriate actions and remedy emergency situations
Required Knowledge
emergency situations

Evidence Guide

Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit	Assessment must confirm the ability to: prepare for combat equipped static line parachute descents ensuring appropriate parachute equipment is selected, inspected and fitted in accordance with standard procedures. undertake day or night static line parachute descents while carrying combat equipment in accordance with standard procedures and operational guidelines. apply approved procedures, techniques and drills for exiting aircraft, canopy flight and landing while carrying combat equipment. apply correct drills for emergency situations while carrying combat equipment Consistency in performance Competency should be demonstrated over time and across a range of simulated or actual workplace situations, including a number of individual static line parachute descents with combat equipment and including at least one night descent, supported by simulated malfunctions and other emergencies.
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 by day or night carrying combat equipment, 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 parachute systems suitable air space suitable land drop zone parachute training facilities that provides adequate simulation 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 personal radio personal weapon and sling operational sustainment requirements including: ammunition spare clothing and field equipment rations water weapon sleeve live drop parachute and reserve parachute personal apparel: boots field uniform 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 radio communications voice commands
On board procedures may include:	exit procedures fitting parachuting and combat equipment safety checks stop drop and aborted sortie procedures
Individual safety checks may include:	individual parachute and combat equipment checks in aircraft checking other paratroopers’ equipment
Authorised Personal may include:	air crew dispatchers
Approved techniques must include:	from the door or ramp: continuous exit by day continuous exit by night
Malfunctions may include:	complete malfunction hangup partial malfunction – high speed partial malfunction – low speed
Situational awareness may include:	all round observation equipment lowering height monitoring altitude/height monitoring the position of other paratroopers obstacles on the drop zone
Basic flight and canopy control techniques may include:	exit position with combat equipment awareness count canopy inspection using risers to steer maintaining parachute position assessing drift
Emergency situations may include:	accidental opening of reserve collisions emergency abandoning of aircraft entanglements with other paratroopers hungup paratrooper self-entanglements twists in suspension lines parachute malfunction
Correct drills may include:	collisions drill twist drill malfunction drill jettisoning of equipment emergency landings entanglement
Drop zone may include:	known or foreign open country
Landing techniques 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 landings may include:	trees wire water
Reviewing performance may include:	obtaining feedback from supervisors and individuals on parachuting performance and taking corrective action viewing video of flight and correcting faults

Unit Sector(s)

Not applicable.