Study of PFT (parasail) in air training command.

Injuries in pilots following egress from disabled aircraft can be minimized by their ability to maneuver their parachutes during descent and to execute a proper parachute landing fall. USAF pilot and navigator trainees receive extensive ground training in parachute operation and parachute landing falls. They then undergo Parachute Familiarization Training (PFT) during which they experience descents by a parasail after being towed to altitude. The value of PFT was determined by evaluating questionnaires sent to approximately 700 crewmembers, including many ex-prisoners of war, who had made an emergency egress. Areas addressed included contribution of the training to overall confidence, ability to steer the parachute to avoid hazardous obstacles, execution of a proper parachute landing fall, and the role of PFT in avoiding injury or fatality in the post-egress environment. Responses indicated that PFT played a significant role in confidence-building and in avoiding or minimizing post-egress injury.