Jump AM-490 Ground Training
Last week we were down at the Davis Air Field Ground Training Facility capturing a glimpse of the more than 40 hours of ground training cadets go through before their first jump.
One of the more challenging programs provided by USAFA, Airmanship 490 or AM-490 is a Basic Freefall Parachuting Program that the Academy offers, and it is the core mission of the Wings of Blue and the 98th Training Squadron, all the Cadets on the Wings of Blue team are certified AM-490 Instructors and Jumpmasters. Its purpose is to develop leadership traits through overcoming their own fears. They will be given instruction in basic free fall parachuting and familiarization with emergency parachuting. The successful completion of 5 Jumps results in award of the Air Force basic parachutist badge "Jump Wings", which they can wear on their uniform for the rest of their Air Force career and completion during summer before sophomore year fills one of the few military training requirements that Cadets at USAFA have. Several hundred Cadets over the course of this summer will have to "STAND IN THE DOOR."
AM-490 is the only program in the entire Air Force where the first jump is an unassisted freefall. Because of this unique difference all students, cadet or staff who go through this program will have roughly 40 hours of ground training before their first jump.
We were able to capture cadets practicing their exit from the plane and free fall procedure.
As well as in the harness perfecting their form in the air.
We also captured their ground training where they practice how they will fly their decent pattern depending on winds.
They also practiced their Parachute Landing Fall (PLF) which is done on varying height platforms.
To view this sessions Ground Training go to Galleries > Airmanship > Jump. Set photo order Oldest to Newest. Then select start page. Or click on the links below.
Jump Ground M Day 0630 - pg. 280-287 M Day 0630
Jump Ground M Day 0930 - pg. 287-292 M Day 0930
Jump Ground T Day 0630 - pg. 292-301 T Day 0630
Jump Ground T Day 0930 - pg. 301-307 T Day 0930