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Air Drop Systems Technician

Non-Commissioned Member | Full Time

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    • Overview

    As members of the military, Air Drop Systems Technicians are the Canadian Forces go-to experts on a wide range of parachute systems and parachute-related equipment. They play a pivotal role in supporting airborne operations for Infantry Parachute Companies, Air Force Aerial Delivery Sections, Special Operations, and Search and Rescue.

    As an Air Drop Systems Technician, your responsibilities are as diverse as they are crucial. You will be the one ensuring the safety of our personnel by meticulously packing and repairing parachutes and related airborne equipment. You will provide invaluable technical guidance to commanders and staff, aiding in the planning and execution of airborne and airdrop operations. Your expertise will be crucial in ensuring the success of these missions.

    Though you will primarily work in a warehouse environment, fine-tuning parachute systems and maintaining their peak performance, you won't be confined to these walls. You will even have the opportunity to experience the thrill of a parachute jump yourself, as part of your mandatory qualification requirement. The primary duties of an Air Drop Systems Technician are to:

    • Proficiently pack and maintain an extensive array of parachute systems, inclusive of extraction parachute systems, light, medium, and heavy cargo parachute systems, round/mass and square/precision personnel parachute systems.
    • Utilize advanced equipment integral to parachute operations, such as GPS-guided aerial delivery parachute systems.
    • Conduct thorough inspections and maintenance of diverse sewing machine systems employed in the upkeep of parachutes and parachute-related equipment.
    • Actively participate in the support of airborne operations.
    • Operate within a broad spectrum of parachute operations within the CAF, providing vital support to Infantry Parachute Battalions, Air Force Aerial Delivery Sections, Special Operations, and Search and Rescue.
    • Conduct in-depth investigations into Incident Malfunctions pertaining to parachute operations.
    • Supervise the packing and maintenance of all parachute systems and related airborne equipment.
    • Ensure the upkeep of your required parachuting qualifications.

    Work environment

    Air Drop Systems Technicians typically work indoors in a temperature regulated warehouse handling and maintaining a variety of diverse parachute systems. However, their role extends beyond the walls of the warehouse.

    As part of the dynamic airborne community of the CAF, you will often find yourself stepping into the field, mirroring real-world conditions for a truly immersive experience. Your duties are as divers as they are crucial. From submitting comprehensive reports on parachute data, drops, incidents, and investigations, to conducting serviceability checks and repairs on personnel and aerial delivery equipment, to strapping on a parachute system yourself and going for a jump, no two days will be the same. Air Drop Systems Technicians are involved in supporting parachuting activities and airborne operations throughout Canada and the world.

    If you chose a career in the Regular Force, upon completion of all required training, you will be assigned to your first base. While there is some flexibility with regards to postings (relocations), accommodations can’t always be made, and therefore, you can likely expect to move at some point in your career.

    Career Overview

    Transcript

    TITLE:

    AIR DROP SYSTEMS TECHNICIAN

     

    I'm Master Corporal Mark Dumaine from Det New Brunswick. I'm an airdrop system technician with the Canadian Armed Forces parachute team.

    The sky hawks our trade essentially we're like the mechanics of the parachuting world. So we repair and maintain all the parachute systems in the canadian armed forces as an airdrop system technician, you'll have some amazingly unique opportunities in the parachuting world from getting qualified parachuting to working with some of the best parachutists out there such as a search and rescue across Canada. We have postings with the special Forces, the Skyhawks and then we have postings at the Army Advanced Warfare Center. We have opportunities to deploy as well across the globe.

    Currently, I am the senior rigger on the canadian armed forces parachute team, the Skyhawks. So my job on the team is essentially to maintain and repair all parachute systems. I'm also a demonstrator on the team. I've had lots of opportunities to progress in the parachuting world. I've had the opportunity to go on my jump master course for round and square parachuting. And then from there, I did my parachute instructor course again for round and square parachuting. I've also had the opportunity to do my tandem instructor course, master riggerr for me. My highlight since I've been an airdrop as a technician has been the Skyhawks to be able to travel and to perform across Canada and able to talk to the public afterwards has definitely been a highlight of my career.

    It's hard to describe the feeling from jumping out of a plane. It's an amazing rush. It's something that you continuously want to do and it's just something you have to experience yourself.

    Related Civilian Occupations

    • Qualifications recognized by Canadian Sport Parachute Association
    • Parachute Rigger Specialist
    • Parachute Tandem Master
    • Parachute Instructor

    Training

    The first stage of training is the Basic Military Qualification course, or Basic Training, held at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec. This training provides the basic core skills and knowledge common to all trades. A goal of this course is to ensure that all recruits maintain the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) physical fitness standard; as a result, the training is physically demanding.

    Learn more about Basic Training here.

    Air Drop Systems Technicians attend training at the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre located at 8 Wing Trenton, Ontario. Initial trade training takes 23 weeks and includes the following topics:

    • Expert packing and rigging of diverse parachute systems, encompassing expendable parachute systems, extraction parachute systems, and light to heavy cargo parachute systems, primarily employed in Aerial Delivery.
    • Packing of Round/Mass Drop personnel parachute systems and the more sophisticated Ram Air/Square parachute systems.
    • Execution of both basic and advanced repairs and maintenance on parachute systems and associated Airborne equipment.
    • Completion of BASIC Parachutist training.
    • Completion of Static Line Square Parachute Course

    Air Drop Systems Technicians may be offered the opportunity to develop specialized skills through formal courses and on-the-job training, including:

    • Basic Para Instructor
    • Jump Master
    • Aerial Delivery
    • First Aid Instructor
    • Helicopter Underslung Load Operator
    • Drop Zone/Landing Zone Controller
    • Military Freefall Parachutist

    As they progress in their career, Air Drop Systems Technicians who demonstrate the required ability and potential will be offered advanced training. Available courses include:

    • Military Freefall Jump Master
    • Military Freefall Para Instructor
    • Tandem Master
    • Master Rigger

    Entry plans

    No previous work experience or career related skills are required. CAF recruiters can help you decide if your personal interests and attributes match the criteria for this occupation.

    The minimum required education to apply for this occupation is the completion of the provincial requirements for Grade 10 or Secondary 4 in Quebec.

    Foreign education may be accepted.