AIRDROP By-The-Numbers Flashcards
CDS
Airspeed
145 ± 5 KCAS
CDS
Deck Angle
6°– 9°
[7° = MC default]
CDS Wind Limits
USAF CDS or LV-LCADS using G-12 parachutes
13 knots
CDS Wind Limits
USAF CDS using G-13 / G-14 parachutes
20 knots
CDS Wind Limits
HAARS, HV CDS, HSLLADS, or HV-LCADS
no restriction
CDS Wind Limits
CDS / Equipment using JPADS
17 knots
CDS Wind Limits
USAF Training Bundles (SATB)
25 knots
CDS
PI placement
225 yards
CDS
Maximum # of containers
MAX: 40 containers
32 floor / 8 ramp
CDS
Max # of containers without ECVR
30 containers
CDS
What provides restraint for the majority of containers?
Buffer Stop Assembly (BSA) provides forward for 32 containers (16 / stick)
CDS
What provides additional restraint for the rest of the containers?
Enhanced Container Vertical Restraint provides vertical restraint for last 2 on the floor & 8 on the ramp
CDS
What is the purpose of the Gate Release Mechanism (GRM)? and how many are there?
- provides aft restraint & release capability
- 6 total GRMs
CDS
How many CDS gates are there?
What is that based off of?
5 CDS gates
10 electrical outlets = 5 on each side for 5 gate installations
CDS
When is the BSA required?
BSA required when combined weight per side > 9,400 lbs
CDS
What is the max weight allowed per GRM?
18,800 lbs
CDS
What is the max weight allowed per CDS bundle?
2,200 lbs
CDS
What is the max height allowed per bundle?
101 inches
CDS
What malfunctions are possible during a CDS drop?
(1) GRM Fails to Release
(2) Load Stops Moving Aft
HEAVY
Airspeed
145 ± 5 KCAS
HEAVY
Deck Angle
3.5° - 5°
[3.5° = MC default]
HEAVY Wind Limits
USAF Equipment (Ground Disconnect) [M1 / M2]
17 knots
HEAVY Wind Limits
Non-USAF Equipment
Discretion of supported force DZSO
HEAVY
PI Placement
500 yards
HEAVY
What is the max allowable airdrop weight?
110,000 lbs
HEAVY
What is the max allowable airdrop weight for a single platform with restrictions?
55,000 lbs allowed up to 235 KCAS
> 55,00 lbs, single platform CG must be aft of 870 or max 180 KCAS
HEAVY
What is the max allowable weight for a single platform?
Dash-1-4
42,000 lbs
HEAVY
What is the max total platform length (& which combo)?
64 feet
= Type V platforms x 2
HEAVY
How much pressure is the actuator arm under?
175 lbs
HEAVY
What malfunctions are possible during a Heavy drop?
LPDTL: Let’s Party DownTown Ladies
(1) Loose Platform
(2) PDM Malfunction
(3) Drogue Malfunction
(4) TRM Malfunction
(5) Load Extraction Malfunction
DUAL ROW
Airspeed
150 ± 3 KCAS
DUAL ROW
Deck Angle
3.5° - 4.5°
[4° = MC default]
DUAL ROW Wind Limits
USAF Equipment (Ground Disconnect) [M1 / M2]
17 knots
DUAL ROW Wind Limits
Non-USAF Equipment
Discretion of supported force DZSO
DUAL ROW
PI Placement
225 yards
DUAL ROW
When can AP/ATS be used?
DRAS with AP/ATS engaged is permitted for sequential dual row airdrop
DUAL ROW
What is a LM consideration / restriction?
2 LM are required to airdrop DRAS platforms / pallets
DUAL ROW
What malfunctions are possible during a Dual Row airdrop?
(1) Platform Fails to Move on the Cargo Floor
(2) Logistic Ramp Pallet Lock Indicators Fail to Extinguish
(3) Red Light Illuminates Before All Logistics Locks Are Released
PERS
Airspeed
130 ± 3 KCAS
PERS
Deck Angle
6° - 7°
[7° = MC default]
PERS
What is the timing for STBY & RDY during PERS airdrops?
35 sec / 30 sec
vs. 20 sec / 15 sec
PERS Wind Limits
USAF Static Line LAND
13 knots
PERS Wind Limits
USAF Static Line TREES
17 knots
PERS Wind Limits
USAF Static Line WATER
25 knots
PERS Wind Limits
USAF MFF LAND
18 knots
PERS Wind Limits
USAF MFF TREES
22 knots
PERS Wind Limits
USAF MFF WATER
25 knots
PERS Wind Limits
USAF Tandem
18 knots
PERS
PI Placement
2-ship vs. 3-ship offset?
300 yards
125 yards = 2-ship
250 yards = 3-ship
PERS
What are the drop parameters for Wingman positioning?
± 500’ fore / aft
± 200’ left / right
PERS
When can you crossover for PERS echelon?
auto-echelon in the descent to drop altitude
PERS
When can you move out of PERS echelon?
(1) MC red light
& (2) load clear
PERS
What is the max # of personnel that can be dropped? How many per door?
102 parachutists max total
51 parachutists / door
PERS
What is the max aircraft weight for 2 door drops? for 1 door?
385,000 lbs = 2 doors
400,000 lbs = 1 door
PERS
How do limitations change is parachutists are using T-11 chutes?
can drop with 2 doors up to max aircraft weight of 400,000 lbs (only if single ship)
PERS
How many door bundles can be dropped per pass?
2 door bundles max per door
(4 bundles total)
PERS
What is the max weight for a door bundle?
500 lbs
PERS
How many static lines can be retrieved per pass by 1 LM via manual static line retrieval? by 2 people (LM/JM/safety)?
10 static lines per door per pass
20 static lines
PERS
When does the door bundle drop within the personnel drop procedures?
door bundle will be the first object to exit the aircraft
PERS
When does personnel normally stand?
6 minutes prior to TOT
PERS
What is the standard planning factor exit time for calculating DZ length for static line personnel airdrop?
1 paratrooper per door per second
PERS
What is the latest wingmen in the element should be established in echelon geometry?
NLT 1 minute prior to the drop
PERS
For JM-directed drops, when should aircraft be at drop altitude & airspeed?
2 minutes prior to lime light
PERS
For JM-directed drops, when does the CP turn on the lime light?
1 minute warning
PERS
What malfunctions are possible during personnel airdrop?
(1) Emergency Parachutist Bailout
(2) Towed Parachutist
(3) Parachutist Retrieval
PERS
How can you retrieve a towed parachutist?
3 ways total
- parachute retrieval system (2) [1 per side]
- winch (1)
PERS
Spacing
.#2: 3,000 / 650
#3: 6,000 / 1,500
El Lead: 32,000 / 0
PERS
Drift / Banner
2-ship: R/L 125
3-ship: R/L 250
for drift up to 12
PERS
What are wingman restrictions for position tolerances?
LTRK: ±500 fore/aft [1 dot]
XTRK: ±200 L/R [touching post]
PERS
What stabilization requirements for PERS drops?
aircraft should be at/above drop altitude and at drop airspeed NLT 1 minute TTG (2 minutes for JM-directed drops)
CDS & Equipment
What are stabilization requirements for CDS & equipment drops?
aircraft should be at drop altitude & drop airspeed by 10 seconds prior to CARP
IFR Drop Corridor
Ingress Point (IP)
- beginning of the corridor
- max of 40 NM from the Egress Point
IFR Drop Corridor
Slowdown Point
total distance from initial slowdown to PI
IFR Drop Corridor
DZ Entry Point
fixed point in corridor where aircraft / formation may safely begin descent from enroute / segmented altitude to drop altitude
- descent will not begin until last aircraft is at/past DZ Entry Point
IFR Drop Corridor
Earliest Descent Point (EDP)
earliest point Lead may descend entire formation to drop altitude & be assured of terrain clearance for entire formation
EDP = DZ entry point - form length
IFR Drop Corridor
Latest Descent Point (LDP)
latest possible point where Lead may begin descent to drop altitude and:
(1) be assured of terrain clearance for entire formation &
(2) ensure all aircraft are stabilized on altitude & airspeed
IFR Drop Corridor
Stabilization Point
point after DZ entry where Lead will plan to be stabilized at drop altitude & airspeed
- typically 6 NM from PI
IFR Drop Corridor
DZ Exit Point /
Drop Corridor Egress Point
- fixed point on escape path centerline where each aircraft will be at min IFR enroute altitude
- calculated based on 3-engine performance at gross weight
- min distance of 4 NM from DZ TE
Day VMC Drop Altitude
min drop altitude IAW 11-231
Night Drop Altitude
500’ above highest obstruction within 3 NM of run-in centerline from slowdown to escape or IAW 11-231 (whichever is higher)
- if DTED not available: 400’ + 1 chart contour interval above highest depicted terrain contour
NVG Drop Altitude
11-231 minimum drop altitude after slowdown
- must visually identify obstacle within run-in corridor NLT 3 NM or climb to 500’ above until past obstacle
IFR Drop Altitude
500’ above highest obstruction within 3 NM of centerline from DZ entry to DZ exit
What do you need to descend from min IFR enroute altitude to drop altitude?
(1) ANP ≤ 1.0 to fly lower than MSA at night
(2) ANP = 0.3 to fly tactical corridors < 3 NM wide
(3) Lead requires NO UNABLE RNP to descend from min IFR to IMC drop altitude
(4) no DEGRADED NAV or UNABLE RNP for GPS drop in IMC
(5) Wing may descend & drop using Lead SKE timer regardless RNP status
No Drop Signals / Criteria
- authenticated radio transmission
- red smoke / flares / lights
- scrambled panels
- other planned signal
- off parameters
- lost comms
What does the NO AUTO DROP MC message mean?
the aircraft is predicted to be ≥ 300 yds XTRK from the CARP/HARP
When can you comp ACTUALS?
(1) with 2-minute winds
(2) at drop altitude
(3) on drop A/S
What does the MC use to calculate actual winds?
PTWAG
(1) pressure altitude
(2) temperature
(3) winds
(4) altimeter setting
(5) ground speed
SKE spacing
2: 4,000 / 500R
#3: 8,000 / 500L
EL: 12,000 / 0
VIS spacing
.#2: 2,000 / 180R
#3: 4,000 / 180L
EL: 12,000 / 0
Awaiting AR spacing
1 NM on 60° line
3,000 / 5,000R
Post-AR spacing
2 NM on 60° line
6,000 / 10,000L
VIS Minimum / Desired LANDING spacing
45 sec / 60 sec
SKE Minimum / Desired LANDING spacing
10,000’ / 12,000’
What do you need to do for SKE positioning on equipment drops?
send / accept the drift
What do you need to do for VIS spacing on equipment drops?
1-3: follow me
4+: FPV on upwind inboard engine
What factors matter most for each type of drop?
CDS / HVY / DRAS / PERS
PERS & HVY: airspeed
CDS / DRAS: deck angle
What are PF actions for malfunctions?
- fly smooth, stable platform
- avoid yawing aircraft & flying over populated areas
- disarm ADS mode select (if engaged)
- disengage SKE LTRK/XTRK (if engaged)
What are PM actions for malfunctions?
- turn on red light
- state “RED LIGHT ON”
- select ADS mode to MANUAL
What form do you have to check for loads? What are you checking on the form?
Form 1748
- 3 signatures: rigger / JAI / LM
- verify chute type
For HEAVY loads, what do you mark? What do you put on the labels?
(1) platform
(2) extraction line
(3) drogue line
C/S / date / load #
Weather Minimums for Formation TAKEOFF
200’ ceiling & 1/2 mile visibility (RVR 24)
Weather Minimums for Formation LANDING
published minimums for the airport
- no lower than 200’ - 1/2 vis
Weather Minimums for NVG Formation Departures
- Non-current / unqualified
- Current & qualified
- OG/CC approval
- Non-current / unqual: 1500/3
- Current & qualified: 600/2
- OG/CC approval: 300/1
Weather Minimums for IMC Airdrops
Peacetime Unilateral Training
300’ ceiling & 1/2 mile visibility
What are the minimum requirements for chart annotations?
NAVigate TIDE CCC
NAV - navigation information
T - Turn points
I - IP / OA
D - VVOD Data & Date
E - ERAA
C - Course line
C - Chart series / date
What are minimum requirements for route study?
ROLLTIDE = OLE CHART
O - Obstacles/Obstructions
L - Leg information
E - ERAA
C - Crewmember responsibilities
H - Hazards & mitigation
A - Airspace restrictions
R - Route overview
T - Terrain
Inadvertent Weather Penetration
with SKE
“XX flight, execute IWP with SKE now, base altitude / heading / airspeed. Acknowledge.”
- climb @ 1,000 fpm & cruise speed
- [W] select SKE (XTRK 1,000 R/L)
When level @ base altitude:
[L]: “assume SKE interval now”
[W]: select SKE in-trail interval (4k / 8k) , then reset XTRK (500)
Inadvertent Weather Penetration
without SKE
“XX flight, execute IWP without SKE now, base alt / hdg / airspeed. Acknowledge.”
- climb @ 1,000 fpm & cruise speed to base altitude
[#2]: turn R w/ 30° AOB to 30° from base heading for 30 sec
[#3]: turn L w/ 30° AOB to 30° from base heading for 30 sec
- use A/A TACAN, TCAS or skin paint to maintain separation
- last EL occupies base altitude; preceding EL stacks 1,000’ above
Inadvertent Weather Penetration
PERS Echelon without SKE
“XX flight, execute IWP without SKE now, base alt / hdg / airspeed. Acknowledge.”
- climb @ 1,000 fpm & cruise speed to base altitude
[#2]: turn w/ 20° AOB to 20° from base heading for 30 sec
[#3]: turn w/ 30° AOB to 30° from base heading for 30 sec
then resume base heading after 30 sec
Inadvertent Weather Penetration
MOUNTAINOUS
“XX flight, execute mountainous IWP now, base altitude / heading / airspeed. Acknowledge.”
- climb @ 1,000 fpm to base altitude
[#2]: 1,000 VVI to base altitude + 500’ on base heading at base airspeed - 10 knots for 30 sec
[#3]: 1,000 VVI to base altitude + 1,000’ on base heading at base airspeed - 20 knots for 30 seconds
