Head-Down 402

Organise multiple-aircraft loads

Loads across more than one aircraft.

What this unit covers

Covers organising a head-down load large enough to need more than one aircraft: flying the aircraft in formation, timing exits across the planes, assigning sectors of the build, and running the comms that keep two or more plane-loads on one plan.

This is the next step up from a single-aircraft big-way (FFP-HD401). That unit's slot craft, slotting logic and breakoff architecture still apply, scaled across planes.

The rest of it

Assumes competence organising single-aircraft big-ways. Environment: sky for the jumps; the aircraft-formation plan is set with the pilots on the ground.

What comes before it

Screen 2 · What you are watched on

What you are watched on

The same short list a coach ticks, in the same words. Nothing is hidden from you.

2.1 Safety critical

Extend the breakoff architecture of FFP-HD401 across the whole formation, verifying at least 1,000 ft banked per wave.

Can you extend a breakoff design across a whole multiple-aircraft formation, with at least 1,000 feet banked per wave?

2.2

Assign waves and radials so sub-formations from different planes break into clear, non-converging airspace.

Can you assign waves and radials so groups from different aircraft break into airspace that does not converge?

2.3

Coordinate exit separation and the aircraft's ground track with all pilots.

Can you coordinate exit separation and the aircraft’s ground track with every pilot involved?

Screen 3 · Safety and altitudes

Safety and altitudes

Everything here is a recommendation with a reason behind it, not a rule. The drop zone you are jumping at, and your own limits on the day, decide what actually happens.

Safety-critical criteria on the short list

2.1

Extend the breakoff architecture of FFP-HD401 across the whole formation, verifying at least 1,000 ft banked per wave.

Can you extend a breakoff design across a whole multiple-aircraft formation, with at least 1,000 feet banked per wave?

Everything this unit says about breakoff and deployment

3.1

Brief the whole load together so every flyer can state their plane, sector, slot and breakoff wave.

4.1

Run the load to the plan, holding the breakoff regardless of build completeness.

Altitudes here are the guides this curriculum recommends and argues for. Where the drop zone briefs something different, the drop zone is what you fly.

Screen 4 · After the jump

After the jump

From this unit's own closing element, run and debrief.

4.1

Run the load to the plan, holding the breakoff regardless of build completeness.

4.2

Debrief across planes with video, attributing timing or sector errors to a cause and a fix, and record the plan for the next attempt.

One fault, one correction

Before the video, before anyone else speaks: name the single thing that went wrong, and the single thing you will do differently next jump. One of each. A list of six is a list you will not fly.

Write them into your notes at the bottom of this card, and they will be here next time you open it.

Record this jump

Most records are the flyer's own, and that is the point: your own read of your own flying is worth keeping. A record only counts as verified once a coach signs it.

Your notes for this unit

Saved on this device only. Nothing is sent anywhere, there is nowhere for it to go, and no account is involved. They will be here next time you open this card.

Notes need JavaScript, because they are stored in this browser rather than on a server. The card itself works without it.

This card is a summary. The full Head-Down 402 unit carries the reasoning, the sources and everything left off here. All briefing cards.