This chapter contains aircraft descriptions, JM procedures, and aircraft preparation techniques for nonstandard rotary-wing and fixed-wing aircraft. The aviation supporting unit prepares the aircraft for equipment and personnel drops to include seat and door removal and installation or rearrangement of seat belts. The installation of a field-expedient anchor line cable is the jumpmaster's responsibility. Aircraft preparation is usually accomplished jointly by the loadmaster/crew chief and JM. These aircraft are service tested and approved for personnel airdrop operations. 

MODIFICATIONS TO JUMP COMMANDS AND JUMPERS' MOVEMENT IN NONSTANDARD AIRCRAFT 

On some nonstandard aircraft, jumpers are required to shuffle in the aircraft and assume a stand-in-the-door position. The standard jump commands are modified by substituting the command STAND IN THE DOOR for STAND BY. The parachutists execute the shuffle and the stand-in-the-door position in the following manner. 

19-1. SHUFFLE 

The shuffle is a method of moving to the jump door without losing balance or tripping. To perform the shuffle--

a. The jumper's outboard arm is extended down and out to assist maintaining balance and to assume the door position. The other hand grasps the static line in the correct bight for the aircraft. 

b. Both feet are slightly spread, directly beneath the body, and staggered 6 to 8 inches. The jumper faces the rear of the aircraft and places his foot nearest the side of the aircraft forward; this foot is the shuffle foot. The foot nearest the center of the aircraft is the trail foot. 

c. The jumper moves by stepping forward with his shuffle foot 6 to 8 inches and then with his trail foot. He keeps both feet staggered in the same relative heel-and-toe position throughout the shuffle. 

19-2. STAND IN THE DOOR 

At the command STAND IN THE DOOR--

a. The jumpers shuffle toward the jump door, and the number 1 jumper hands his static line to the safety. 

b. The number 1 jumper ensures his arm is not entangled with the static line and shuffles into the door so that the toe of his outboard foot is extended about 2 inches over the edge of the doorsill or jump platform and that his trail foot is about 6 inches to the rear. 

c. The number 1 jumper keeps his feet shoulder-width apart. His weight is equally distributed on both feet, knees are bent, upper body is straight, his head and eyes are to the front, and hands are outside the aircraft, with fingers extended and joined. He is in a position of "coiled alertness" and is ready to exit the aircraft
without further weight adjustment. His hands are not grasping the aircraft but are used to maintain balance. 

d. The number 2 jumper is in the shuffle position, roughly even with the leading edge of the jump door and facing the rear of the aircraft. 

e. Follow-on jumpers close up behind the preceding jumper in the shuffle position to maintain balance. 

19-3. GO 

Depending on aircraft requirements, at the command GO the number 1 jumper makes a vigorous up-and-out exit, 6 inches up and 36 inches out. The exit action is gained from the legs alone, and the hands are used only to guide the jumper. On some aircraft, the vigorous exit is essential to avoid hitting the aircraft or
coming in contact with another jumper beneath or behind the aircraft. The number 2 jumper and all following jumpers--

a. Shuffle toward the jump door. 

b. Hand the static line to the safety and ensure the arm is not entangled with the static line. 

c. Shuffle into the door, take up a proper door position, and exit the aircraft without command. A 1-second interval is maintained between jumpers. 

     The C-7A is a high-wing transport powered by two piston engines (Figure 19-1). A total of 24 parachutists may be dropped using the ramp or doors. The ramp is normally used for dropping parachutists. 

19-4. SEATING CONFIGURATION 

Twenty-four parachutists are seated in two 12-parachutist sticks. Parachutists are loaded over the loading ramp or through the doors. The odd-numbered personnel are seated on the starboard side, and even-numbered personnel are seated on the port side. 

19-5. SUPERVISORY PERSONNEL REQUIRED 

Three personnel supervise safety procedures: one JM who performs standard aircraft check procedures, one safety NCO, and one loadmaster. 

19-6. ANCHOR LINE CABLE ASSEMBLIES 

There are two anchor line cable assemblies in the C-7A. 

a. The anchor line cable for ramp jumps runs from the reinforced anchor line attachment plate from the forward bulkhead to the anchor line connector near the right side of the aft starboard door. 

b. The anchor line cable for door jumps runs from the reinforced anchor line attachment plate down the center of the cargo compartment. It is permanently installed. 

19-7. JUMP COMMANDS 

Jump commands for the C-7A are as follows: 

a. GET READY. Jumpers respond in the same manner as for other fixed-wing aircraft. 

b. PORT SIDE PERSONNEL, STAND UP. Jumpers on the left side of the aircraft stand up, raise and secure their seats, and face the ramp of the aircraft. 

c. STARBOARD SIDE PERSONNEL, STAND UP. Jumpers on the right side of the aircraft stand up, raise and secure their seats, and face the ramp of the aircraft. 

d. HOOKUP. Even-numbered jumpers hookup between the odd-numbered jumpers to forma continuous stick of jumpers. The jumpers detach the static line snap hook from the top carrying handle of the reserve parachute and hook up to the anchor line cable with the open portion of the snap hook facing outboard,
ensuring that the snap hook locks properly. The safety wire is inserted in the hole, pointing toward the rear of the aircraft, and folded down. The static line is controlled by each parachutist in a reverse bight at waist level in the left hand. 

e. CHECK STATIC LINES, CHECK EQUIPMENT, and SOUND OFF FOR EQUIPMENT CHECK. These commands are executed in the same manner as with other fixed-wing aircraft. 

f. STAND BY/STAND IN THE DOOR. 

     (1) STAND BY. The number 1 jumper, upon receiving the command STAND BY, assumes a standing position near the starboard side of the ramp hinge. The number 2 jumper stands on the port side of the aircraft slightly to the right of jumper number 1. The remaining personnel close up the interval behind      the number 1 jumper. 

     (2) STAND IN THE DOOR. The proper door position is taken by the parachutists in both doors, with the appropriate foot resting on the elevated doorsill. There is no jump platform. 

g. GO. Personnel exit the aircraft at 1-second intervals. 

19-8. RAMP JUMPING 

The number 1 jumper, upon receiving the command GO, walks off the port side rear corner of the ramp. The remaining jumpers follow at a 1-second interval. After the command GO, each jumper visually checks his body position for correctness and begins the 4000-count. (See Figure 19-2 for C-7A configuration for ramp jumping.) 

19-9. DOOR JUMPING 

When the troop doors are used, simultaneous exits must not be made. Number 1 jumper exits the starboard door and number 2 exits the port door 1 second after number 1. The remaining parachutists alternate in numerical order at 1-second intervals. (See Figure 19-3 for C-7A configuration for door jumping.) 
 

19-10. SAFETY PRECAUTIONS 

Safety precautions for the C-7A are as follows: 

a. Parachutists. 

     (1) Parachutists ensure that all seats are secured in the up position when they stand to hook up. During extreme air turbulence, parachutists take a short bight on the static line and use the center anchor line to steady themselves. 

     (2) All parachutists remain off the ramp while it is being lowered to the 15-degree incline for aft end jumping. Parachutists walk down the ramp with feet spread wide to prevent striking the side of the aircraft. Upon exit from the aircraft, the parachutist brings the feet and knees together to form a tight body     position. When following heavy equipment loads, parachutists exit between the roller conveyers of the aerial unloading kit. 

b. Jumpmaster. 

     (1) The JM or safety ensures personnel are hooked up in an alternating manner to the same anchor line cable and form one continuous stick of jumpers. 

     (2) For door jumping, the JM or safety taps out the jumpers alternately to preclude a simultaneous exit from both sides of the aircraft. 

     (3) Normally, a safety is required on the aircraft, but if no safety personnel are in the aircraft, the JM jumps last. He must hook up to the center anchor line cable and exercise caution to control his own static line and ensure it does not become fouled. 

     NOTE: The left troop door may be removed before the operation to allow the JM to look for the DZ. If worn, the restraint harness is attached to the centerline anchor cable as a safety measure. 

c. Equipment. 

     (1) When adjustable individual weapon cases are jumped from the doors, they must be reduced to 36 inches in length. 

     (2) When accompanying supplies and equipment are dropped from the doors, the bundles must be standard air delivery containers no larger than 40 by 24 by 36 inches. 

     (3) When ramp bundles are dropped, either the 15-foot static line with drogue or the breakaway static line may be used. When door bundles are dropped, the 15-foot static lines with drogues are used with cargo parachutes. The ramp roller conveyor section for the air unloading kit is installed on the port side of the ramp and is used to assist in ejecting the bundles from the ramp. Parachutists number 1 and number 2 push the bundles. 

d. Aircraft. 

     (1) The speed of the aircraft during the jump will not be less than 90 or more than 120 knots. 

     (2) When jumping from the doors, the crew chief must remove the doors and tape the rear portion of the door frames prior to takeoff. 

     (3) The rear tie-down ring, located beneath the tail section, should be removed prior to jumping. The ring can be unscrewed with a breaker bar or similar device.