Pilot bails out of Herc

Flight Lieutenant Marty Copland prepares to parachute from the C-130 Hercules. Photo by LAC Ben Dempster

IN THE skies over Jervis Bay recently, C-130H Hercules pilot Flight Lieutenant Marty Copland handed the controls to his co-pilot, got out of his seat, leapt from the aircraft through the open ramp and free-fell towards the airfield below.

FLTLT Copland hadn’t taken leave from his senses – there was method to his madness.
The qualified military static-line and free-fall paratrooper had a parachute strapped to his back and jumped from the Hercules in order to satisfy two currency requirements.

FLTLT Copland is a fully qualified airborne operations captain with No. 36 Squadron and has to continuously manage about 40 flying currency events to stay up to date.

His military parachuting, a skill he learnt when he was posted to the Parachute Training School (PTS) as the RAAF Air Liaison Officer, also has currency requirements.

By supporting the PTS over Jervis Bay in a pilot capacity and then parachuting from the Hercules, FLTLT Copland was able to satisfy both flying and parachute currencies in one unique flight.

He is believed to be the first person to pilot then parachute from a Royal Australian Air Force C-130 Hercules.

“The concept of an aircrew member parachuting is a little unusual,” FLTLT Copland said.

“Some aircrew think that there is nothing wrong with doing that sort of thing, and if you are lucky enough to have that opportunity, then do it.

“The rest of the aircrew think I am just crazy, and regularly tell me so. I often see loadmasters shaking their heads when I come on board with a parachute.”

FLTLT Copland said that, when done properly, military parachuting was not dangerous.

“If I thought it was dangerous I would not be involved,” he said.

And just for the record, he said Velcro patches did not come off at 120 knots (terminal velocity in free fall).

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