Falcon Skydiving First Jump Course 2016

Accelerated Free-FallTraining Program

2016 Version

• The Falcon Skydiving AFF Training Program meets the USPA standards outlined in the BSRs and advances students through eight categories of proficiency (A-H) to qualify for their A license.

• Each student completes a series of training jumps to demonstrate the skills and knowledge sets required in each category.

• Instructors record completion of the requirements of each category on the A license proficiency card and administer an oral quiz.

• Instructors supervise each student jump through Category E. • Coaches supervise jumps for students in Categories F through H. • When all of the requirements for the A license are met, the

student will make a check jump with an Instructor. The check jump includes of a review of the training and a final quiz.

Falcon SkydivingFirst Jump Course

1. Equipment Orientation 30 minutes

2. Freefall Position 30 minutes

3. Main Deployment 15 minutes

4. Canopy Piloting 30 minutes

5. Parachute Landing Fall 30 minutes

6. Landing Hazards 15 minutes

7. Equipment Emergency Procedures 45 minutes

8. Aircraft emergencies 15 minutes

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseSchedule

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseCourse Objective

Purpose: To develop the fundamental knowledge and skills required to make a safe and enjoyable first free fall.

Objective: Demonstrate mastery of fundamental knowledge and skills.

Reason for learning: Safety and as a basis for future application.

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseModule Objectives

Objective 1: Identify the component parts of the parachute system.

Objective 2: Demonstrate the neutral body position.

Objective 3: Demonstrate the procedure for main parachute deployment.

Objective 4: Explain the procedures for evaluating canopy controllability and how to plan and execute a landing pattern.

Objective 5: Demonstrate a parachute landing fall.

Objective 6: Explain the procedures for landing on a natural or manmade hazard.

Objective 7: Demonstrate the procedures for handling equipment emergencies.

Objective 8: Explain the safety considerations of working with aircraft.

Reason for learning: Safety and as a basis for future application.

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseEquipment Orientation (1)

Canopy System• Pilot chute and bridle • Deployment bag • Pilot chute attachment • Top and bottom skins • Leading edge (nose) • Trailing edge (tail) • Center of tail (warning label or tab) • Stabilizers • Slider stops • Loaded and unloaded ribs • Cross-ports • A, B, C, D line cascades, and brake lines • Slider and slider grommets • Connector links and link protectors • Risers and brake system • Steering handles

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseEquipment Orientation (2)

Container System• Harness• Main lift webs• Chest strap• Risers• 3-ring release assembly• Main canopy release cable and cable housing• Reserve static line• Reserve ripcord• Cutaway handle (main canopy release)• Leg straps• Reserve container • Main container• Main deployment handle

Helmet and goggles

Altimeter

Radio

• The runway at Noah’s Ark Airport: Length: 3000’ bisected by an access road at 1500’. Direction: 150° and 330°.

• Prevailing winds are from the north or from the south.• Winds from the east or the west cause turbulence in the landing

area.• Hazards on or near Noah’s Ark Airport include hangars, buildings,

parked cars, and the Missouri River.

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseAirport Orientation

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseFreefall Position

• Knees Bent 45°• Hips Lowest Point • Shoulders & Elbows at 90°

• Hands Level with Ears• Head Up, Looking Forward

Body Symmetrical and Relaxed

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseMain Parachute Deployment

• Establish the neutral body position.• Maintain the neutral body position and locate the main deployment

handle.• Look up while reaching for the deployment handle mounted on the

bottom of the container.• Remain flat, stable, and shoulders-level through deployment.• Accentuate the neutral body position while reaching for the handle.• Stretch your left hand overhead and across as the right hand

reaches for the handle.• Maintain a head high attitude.• Activate the handle vigorously, returning to the arched position.• Verbalize each action: "Arch! Reach! Pull!“• Count to three by thousands.• After the count of three, check for pilot chute deployment.

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseDeployment Priorities

1. Pull.2. Pull at the correct altitude.3. Pull stable.

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseDeployment Sequence

Inflation. Once the parachute is fully inflated, release the brakes, perform a controllability check, and fly the landing pattern.

Pull. The main deployment bag, containing the main parachute is lifted from the main container, by the pilot chute bringing the suspension lines to full line stretch.

Lift Off. The deployment bag then opens, allowing the main parachute to be extracted from the bag, initiating inflation.

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CoursePost-Deployment Checks

• Check Airspace:─ If on a head-on collision course, both canopies make right turns to avoid

collision.─ The low canopy always has the right of way.

• Release Brakes:─ Pull down on both toggles at the same time to release the brakes. ─ Keep your hands in the toggles and do not let go until landing.

• Check Controllability:─ Flare to 50% brakes for 3-4 seconds and return to full flight.─ Turn 90° to the right.─ Turn 90° to the left.─ Flare to 100% brakes for 3-4 seconds and return to full flight.

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseCanopy Piloting (1)

• Post-deployment canopy check: Check the canopy for proper inflation after deployment. The canopy should have four well-defined edges forming a rectangular

shape.• Perform a controllability check to ensure the canopy turns, flares,

and flies straight with the toggles in the full-up position.• Canopy speed and wind direction:

Facing into the wind (holding) causes the canopy to fly slower. Facing in the same direction as the wind (running) causes the canopy to

fly faster. Facing perpendicular to the wind (crabbing) causes the canopy to fly

forward and sideways.


• Steering the canopy.• Landing patterns:

Plan your landing pattern using an aerial photograph or diagram of the DZ.

Determine the current speed and direction of the wind.

Determine the wind line—the line going through the target indicating the direction of the wind.

Choose a point on the ground downwind on the wind line to start final approach at 300’.

Choose a point where you will start your base leg at 600’.

Choose a point where you will start your downwind leg at 1,000’.

Determine the shape and location of the holding area.


• After conducting a canopy controllability check, check altitude and observe your position over the ground.

• Locate the holding area, target, and the checkpoints where each leg of the pattern will start and establish a line to your 1,000’ pattern entry point:─ Divide the line in half and remain over the first half until 2,000’.─ Fly over the remaining half until reaching the pattern entry point at

1,000’.• Remain inside the holding area until

1,000’.• While you are in the holding area and

above 1,000’, practice turns and flares.• Watch for other canopies, and check

your altitude and ground position after maneuvers.

• On final, keep the canopy flying straight toward a clear, open area.• Use small toggle inputs to avoid hazards.• Keep the canopy flying straight toward a clear area.• Fly the canopy straight in full glide to produce lift for the flare.• Judge the flare height by looking mid-way towards the horizon

rather than straight down.• During the last part of the final approach, prepare for a PLF.• Flaring converts the forward speed of the parachute to lift.• Execute the flare approximately 6-8’ above the ground.• If you start the flare too high, stop flaring and hold the toggles

where they are.• Be prepared to perform a PLF.


Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseLanding Priorities

1. Land in a clear and open area.2. Wing level and flying straight.3. Avoid hazards.4. Flare.

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseParachute Landing Falls (1)

• The five points of contact are:– The balls of the feet.– The side of the calf.– The side of the thigh.– The side of the hip, or buttocks.– The side of the back (latissimus dorsi aka the ‘push-up muscle’).

• To prepare for a PLF, press your feet and knees together with your knees slightly bent.

• Flare the canopy completely with both hands together and close to the front of your body.

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseParachute Landing Falls (2)

• As your feet touch the ground:– Lean into the direction of the landing to roll down one side of

the body.– Lay over to the side of one calf.– Continue to roll to the thigh on the same side.– Continue rolling on to that hip (side of the butt).– Roll diagonally across your back to the opposite shoulder.– Allow your body to continue rolling and absorb the energy of

the landing.

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseLanding Hazards (1)

• Landing hazards include water, trees, buildings, power lines, and any similar hazards.

• Identify hazards using and aerial photograph of the drop zone.• Hazards can be avoided by:

– Observing winds and planning a landing pattern before boarding the aircraft.

– Choosing the correct exit and opening points and spotting the aircraft before exiting.


Water hazards:• Steer to avoid the water.• If possible, land close to shore or a boat, buoy, or other floating

object.• Inflate a flotation device, if available.• Disconnect or loosen the chest strap; if possible, keep your hands

on the steering toggles.• Steer into the wind.• Enter the water with lungs full of air.• Flare the parachute to half brakes and prepare for a PLF.• Release the RSL and pull the cutaway handle on landing.

Tree hazards:• Steer to avoid trees.• Before landing, face upwind.• Go to half brakes.• Keep your legs tight together in a PLF position, not crossed.• Protect your face with hands and forearms with elbows together

and close to your body.• Aim for the middle of the tree, and hold on to the trunk or main

branch to avoid falling.• Prepare for a hard landing on the ground.• Stay in the tree and wait for help, do not attempt to climb down.


Building hazards:• Steer to avoid the building.• Before landing, face upwind.• Go to half brakes.• Keep your legs tight together in a PLF position, not crossed.• Flare at ten feet above the building.• Release the RSL and pull the cutaway handle on landing. Power line hazards:• Steer to avoid power lines.• Go to half brakes, prepare for a hard landing, and turn your head

to one side. • Touch no more than one wire at a time.


Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseAircraft Emergencies (1)

• In the event of an aircraft emergency, sit still, with your helmet on and seat belt fastened.

• Wait for instructions from your instructor to:─ Land with the aircraft.─ Exit and deploy the reserve parachute.─ Exit and deploy the main parachute.

• After an emergency exit and once under an open canopy, look for the instructor’s canopy and follow it to a clear, open area.

• Crash landing procedures:─ Helmet and seat belt on.─ Knees to chest.─ Hands clasped behind head to reinforce neck.─ Immediately exit the aircraft on landing and walk at least 100’ away from

the plane.

• In the event of a premature container opening in aircraft:─ Contain the open parachute and inform the instructor.─ If the parachute goes out the door, exit before you are forcibly

extracted.

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseAircraft Emergencies (2)

• Protect deployment and cutaway handles when entering the plane and during climb out.

• Keep movement to a minimum to avoid catching handles or pins.

• In the event of an open container in the aircraft, contain the parachute.

• If your parachute or pilot chute escapes out the door, follow it out immediately.

• Check the canopy and be prepared to initiate emergency procedures.

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseEquipment Emergency Procedures (1)

• For a parachute to be safe to land it must be:─ There — the parachute deployment has occurred and something is

overhead.─ Square — the parachute is inflated, rectangular, and regular in shape.─ Steerable — the parachute steers and flares.

• If the parachute fails any of the controllability checks by 2,500’, initiate emergency procedures.

• Decide if the parachute is controllable; otherwise, initiate emergency procedures by 2,500’.

• High-speed Malfunctions: ─ Container closure (NOTHING DEPLOYED)─ Pilot chute in tow.─ Horseshoe.─ Bag lock.─ Streamer.─ Line over / spinning.


• After two unsuccessful attempts to locate or pull the main handle:─ Arch.─ Look at and grasp the cutaway handle with both hands.─ Once you have the cutaway handle – look at or in the direction of the

reserve ripcord.─ Peel the cutaway handle and pull down to full arms extension – while

keeping your eyes on the reserve ripcord.─ Once the cutaway handle is fully extracted – reach with both hands and

pull the reserve ripcord to full arms extension.─ Arch and check for deployment.

• Pull your cutaway handle before the reserve ripcord to prevent a two-canopies-out situation.


• In the event of a hard pull or no handle is found, make two attempts to locate the handle before initiating emergency procedures.

• Make two attempts to fix any problem before initiating emergency procedures.

• You have a 2,500’ hard deck – this means you must have a good canopy by 2,500’!

• If no canopy has been deployed, cutaway and pull your reserve ripcord!

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseThe ‘Rule of Twos’


Low-speed Malfunctions (Anything less than a controllable parachute).• Twisted lines — spread the risers and kick; release the brakes after

clearing the twist.• Stuck slider — depress the toggles to the flare position and pump

them.• Closed end cells — depress and hold the toggles to the flare position.• Canopy turns on its own — check if both brakes are released.• Broken lines, rips, other canopy damage, or pilot chute entanglement

— conduct controllability check. If more than one line is broken, initiate emergency procedures.

• Pilot chute caught under the nose (front) of the canopy – If the controllability check is good, avoid any hard turns under the canopy.


• Premature container opening in freefall:– Locate and deploy the pilot chute.– If the pilot chute can't be located after two tries, cut away and

deploy the reserve.– If deploying the pilot chute results in a partial malfunction, cut

away and deploy the reserve.

• Premature container opening in aircraft:– Contain the open parachute and inform the instructor.– If the parachute goes out the door, exit before you are forcibly

extracted.

• If the canopy fails the controllability check:– Look at and grasp the cutaway handle with both hands.– Once you grasp the cutaway handle – look at the reserve

ripcord.– Peel the cutaway handle and pull down to full arms extension –

while keeping your eyes on the reserve ripcord.– Once the cutaway handle is fully extracted – reach with both

hands and pull the reserve ripcord down and out to full arms extension.

– Arch and check for deployment.

• After the reserve canopy has deployed in either situation, grasp the steering toggles (usually red), clear the brakes, and fly the canopy to a safe landing.



• Both parachutes deployed

– Biplane: Cut away the main canopy.

– Side-by-side: Cut away the main canopy.

– Downplane: Cut away the main canopy.

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseDeployment Priorities

1. Pull.2. Pull at the correct altitude.3. Pull stable.

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseLanding Priorities

1. Land in a clear and open area.2. Wing level and flying straight.3. Avoid hazards.4. Flare.

Falcon Skydiving First Jump CourseSummary

Objective 1: Identify the component parts of the parachute system.

Objective 2: Demonstrate the neutral body position.

Objective 3: Demonstrate the procedure for main parachute deployment.

Objective 4: Explain the procedures for evaluating canopy controllability and how to plan and execute a landing pattern.

Objective 5: Demonstrate a parachute landing fall.

Objective 6: Explain the procedures for landing on a natural or manmade hazard.

Objective 7: Demonstrate the procedures for handling equipment emergencies.

Objective 8: Explain the safety considerations of working with aircraft.

Reason for learning: Safety and as a basis for subsequent modules.

Are you ready to Skydive?

Documents

Falcon Skydiving First Jump Course 2016