Parachuting - UNITAF Force Manual (FM)


Group

Parachuting
The FM outlines our core skills, policies and guides to ensure every member stands ready for the mission ahead.



Guide
FM/BG-508 - Types of parachute
Guide

When it comes to parachuting into combat zones, there are two basic styles of parachutes used. The first is a round, static-line chute. This allows for minimal control during descent, and the deployment of the chute automatically occurs as you leave the aircraft. The second style, typically used by smaller, more highly-trained units is a ram-air maneuverable parachute that is manually deployed by you after leaving the aircraft.

Guide
FM/BG-511 - Parachute descending with a deployed chute
Guide

Both styles of insertion give you some degree of control over your descent. With static line “round chutes” having significantly less. Parafoils give you much greater maneuverability during the descent. While in flight, you’ll be able to turn, accelerate, decelerate, and flare the chute.

This high level of control allows you great flexibility to choose a landing site that works best for you and your team as long as you’re high enough in the air, almost anything you can see can be reached by gliding to it. The Arma 3 parafoil can reach a forward speed of over 50kph, though this brings with it a more rapid descent rate. For maximum glide range, try to stay closer to 15 to 20kph; while you’ll be in the air longer, your total ground distance covered will significantly increase. As you descend, you’ll find that wind will disrupt your flight and push you off course.

This wind drift must be accounted for and monitored, particularly in low-visibility situations such as night drops. Ensure your team is navigating and adjusting the flight path during the descent, else you’re likely to end up a significant distance from where you’d intended.

Skill
FM/BS-509 - Perform a HALO drop – High Altitude, Low Opening
Skill

In HALO, the chute is deployed at low altitude to minimize the time spent under canopy. 

  • Steer towards the target during freefall, as minimal moaneuvering will be possible with the parachute
  • Open the parachute around 200m AGL (above ground level)
Skill
FM/BS-510 - Perform a HAHO drop - High Altitude, High Opening
Skill

In HAHO, the chute is deployed at a much higher altitude in order to cover a large distance towards the LZ.The ram-air parachutes allow for substantial ground to be covered during flight, to the point that the plane initiating the drop can be 50+ kilometers from the drop zone when the paratroopers exit the aircraft. 

  • Open the parachute on exiting the aircraft
  • Join formation with the person designated as guiding element, and descent in formation
Skill
FM/BS-512 - Flare on landing
Skill

Landing a parachute at high speed can injure or kill you. To prevent this:

  • Reduce forward speed to nearly zero just before landing
  • Flare backwards just before touching the ground
Skill
FM/BS-513 - Lead a parachute jump as jumpmaster
Skill

When leading a parachute jump as jump master:

  1. Ensure that parachutes (and altimeters if era-appropriate) are available for every paratrooper to collect
  2. Ensure that every paratrooper has backpack on chest and parachute on back before entering the vehicle
  3. Ensure that every paratrooper has a unique number from 1 to X designating the order they will leave the plane on command
  4. Confirm the LZ to the paratroopers and the recommended altitude to open the parachute (ASL and AGL) for the LZ
  5. Explain the process of jumping while on route, to ensure first time jumpers know the process as well
  6. Switch the light to red in the vehicle, and ensure the paratroopers are quiet and ready to jump
  7. Switch the light to green and call each number in order, instructing paratroopers to jump when they hear their number
This page generated 0.98MB in 0.1213 seconds.