via John Currin - Google+ Public Posts http://ift.tt/1oNmZ0g
Royal Australian Air Force originally shared:
HERCULES FLYING PARATROOP TRIAL OFF BARRENJOEY HEADS
Air Force seeks to advise the public of a trial which will take place off Barrenjoey Heads from June 23-26.
During the trials, a mannequin dressed in a Defence uniform will be trailed from the cargo ramp and the rear paratroop doors of a C-130J Hercules in-flight.
The purpose of these flights is to assist the further development of the paratroop retrieval system. The trial flights will involve the Hercules flying at an altitude of 300 metres, approximately nine kilometres off Barrenjoey Heads.
These flights will be conducted on the mornings of June 23-24, but further flights may take place on June 25-26 if required. The mannequin may also be dropped into the water.
Wing Commander Stephen Crawford is Commanding Officer of Air Movements Training and Development Unit (AMTDU), which is conducting the trials.
“Airborne delivery of paratroops is an important role for the Hercules, and each aircraft can deliver 92 paratroops,” Wing Commander Crawford said.
“We frequently practice this role, both to train Air Force and Army personnel, and to rehearse in major exercises.”
When jumping from a Hercules, paratroops are typically attached to a ‘static-line’ inside the Hercules, which automatically deploys their parachute as they leave the aircraft.
There is the risk however that the static-line may not disengage properly, or that the paratrooper is otherwise caught as they exit the aircraft.
“Instances of these malfunctions are extremely rare,” Wing Commander Crawford said.
“It still remains a requirement for us to have a safe and effective means of recovering paratroops, and it’s something we’ve developed and prepared for over 30 years.”
“The trials that we are conducting off of Barrenjoey Head demonstrates our commitment to refining these practices, and ensuring the safety of Defence members.”
Air Force seeks to advise the public of a trial which will take place off Barrenjoey Heads from June 23-26.
During the trials, a mannequin dressed in a Defence uniform will be trailed from the cargo ramp and the rear paratroop doors of a C-130J Hercules in-flight.
The purpose of these flights is to assist the further development of the paratroop retrieval system. The trial flights will involve the Hercules flying at an altitude of 300 metres, approximately nine kilometres off Barrenjoey Heads.
These flights will be conducted on the mornings of June 23-24, but further flights may take place on June 25-26 if required. The mannequin may also be dropped into the water.
Wing Commander Stephen Crawford is Commanding Officer of Air Movements Training and Development Unit (AMTDU), which is conducting the trials.
“Airborne delivery of paratroops is an important role for the Hercules, and each aircraft can deliver 92 paratroops,” Wing Commander Crawford said.
“We frequently practice this role, both to train Air Force and Army personnel, and to rehearse in major exercises.”
When jumping from a Hercules, paratroops are typically attached to a ‘static-line’ inside the Hercules, which automatically deploys their parachute as they leave the aircraft.
There is the risk however that the static-line may not disengage properly, or that the paratrooper is otherwise caught as they exit the aircraft.
“Instances of these malfunctions are extremely rare,” Wing Commander Crawford said.
“It still remains a requirement for us to have a safe and effective means of recovering paratroops, and it’s something we’ve developed and prepared for over 30 years.”
“The trials that we are conducting off of Barrenjoey Head demonstrates our commitment to refining these practices, and ensuring the safety of Defence members.”