USAFA Parachute Landing Assistants

The US Air Force Academy (USAFA) intends to award a sole source commercial contract to Plako, LLC for the procurement of Parachute Landing Assistants (PLAs). The PLA is a device that assists jumpers in developing the visual skill of determining when to initiate the flare sequence during day or night. It is a laser-based sensor that gives the jumper an audible warning tone at the preselected altitude to begin the two-stage flare process and has the ability to data log the entire landing sequence in a graph format. The device is customizable and has a software GUI that allows for adjustment for alarm altitudes to correspond to various parachute types, sizes, and loads. • The PLA has a 32-bit micro-controller and a 120 Hz update rate. • It has a real-time clock and an 8GB installed micro SD card. • Data and configuration are accessed via mini-B USB. • It has a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack and a built-in rechargeable lithium battery. • The device has a "smart landing logic" with a descent algorithm to adjust flare height to airspeed, turbulence, or flight mode changes.