Page 9 - AirShow_RemembranceBook

ANATOMY OF AN AIR DROP

C-130

IT’S ALL ABOUT THE The navigator is responsible for analyzing the
drop zone weather, and winds as well as possible
PREPARATION hazardous terrain in the area. They study what
is being dropped and the ballistics behind the
parachutes, the way the load will drop, to make
An airdrop is just one of the missions a C-130 can sure it’s appropriate for the mission. With that
perform. Due to the precision needed to make a information, the navigator computes a Computed
drop successful, the mission takes a lot of prior Air Release Point (CARP) that determines the exact
coordination and planning on the part of the entire location that load will have to exit the aircraft to
C-130 crew, especially if it’s performed as part of land on the drop zone.
a formation. The pilots make a flight plan and perform a pre-air
The airdrop platforms and skids for an airdrop drop checklist.
are put together by whatever user is being supported. In the C-130J, the newest version of the C-130,
If the supplies are going to an Army drop zone, there are just two pilots and loadmaster. Since the
they prepare supplies for their own drop. A Joint J-model doesn’t have a navigator, the pilots must
Airdrop Inspector (JAI) will review the load to make act as their own navigator, doing their own
sure everything is correct before flight. The loadmaster planning and analyzing the winds and chute
will inspect the cargo again before loading it onto ballistics. However, the C-130 onboard computer
the plane using a forklift or K-loader. figures out the CARP. Once the pilots have entered
their drop information, all they have to do once
airborne is confirm the drop information and
update for winds.

The pilot and co-pilot run
through a checklist and fly the
plane making sure to maintain
a certain altitude and speed
as well as distance from other
planes if it’s a formation drop.
The C-130 is capable of The navigator is in charge of timing to make sure the goods are When the green light is given
dropping up to 64 (96 getting to the people on the ground at the agreed upon time. the co-pilot presses a button to
for C-130J) paratroopers Additionally, they are also re-computing the CARP to factor release a load or signal for the
at one time from various in-flight wind. Once the airdrop commences, the navigator has paratroopers to jump.
military branches. the ultimate decision to give the green light.

2012 lrafb air show | remembrance book 9