Pyrotechnics & Deployables

Question 1

What may pyrotechnics or marking equipment be used for?

Answer 1

Mark a position or target to either simplify:

• navigation
• determine wind direction and strength
• provide a hover reference, or
• enable relocation of a the target

Question 2

When pyrotechnics or marking equipment are to be used for training purposes or could possibly be misidentified as a distress signal, who should be notified?

Answer 2

AMSA
Local VMRS
Nearby vessels
ATC

Question 3

What is the burn time on the flare of the Pains-Wessex Day/ Night Signal

Answer 3

Approx 20 seconds

Question 4

What is the burn time of the smoke of the Pains-Wessex Day / Night Signal?

Answer 4

Approx 18 seconds

Question 5

Can the Pains-Wessex Day / Night Signal be deployed from an aircraft?

Answer 5

No

Question 6

What is the Pains-Wessex Day / Night Signal?

Answer 6

Personal, compact, waterproof survival and life-raft signal

Question 7

What is the colour of the smoke on the Pains-Wessex Day / Night Signal?

Answer 7

Orange

Question 8

What type of mechanism is used to deploy the Pains-Wessex Day / Night Signal?

Answer 8

Ring-pull mechanism

Question 9

How do you distinguish between the caps of the flare and the smoke on the Pains-Wessex Day / Night Signal?

Answer 9

The flare end is ribbed

Question 10

What is the Pains-Wessex MK8 Miniflare?

Answer 10

Personal, compact, waterproof distress flare for day and night use

Question 11

What type of mechanism does the Pains-Wessex MK8 Miniflare incorporate to fire it’s flares?

Answer 11

Penjector

Question 12

How many flare cartridges does the Pains-Wessex MK8 Miniflare contain and what is their explosive content?

Answer 12

3 x red 5g cartridges

15g total explosive content

Question 13

What is the burn time of the Pains-Wessex MK8 Miniflare?

Answer 13

Approx 5.5 seconds

Question 14

What is the light intensity of the Pains-Wessex MK8 Miniflare?

Answer 14

10,000 candela

Question 15

What is the approximate projectile height reached by the Pains-Wessex MK8 Miniflare?

Answer 15

46m / 150ft

Question 16

Can the Pains-Wessex MK8 Miniflare be deployed from an aircraft?

Answer 16

No

Question 17

What is the procedure for using a Pains-Wessex MK8 Miniflare?

Answer 17

1. Depress trigger and lock in middle position
2. Remove flare cartridge and slide onto penjector
3. Hold penjector vertically and using your thumb, fully depress trigger
4. Do not allow thumb to ride the trigger
5. Lock trigger in mid position and discard of spent cartridge

Question 18

What is the MK25 Marine Marker?

Answer 18

An aircraft or ship-launched location marker

Question 19

What is the colour of the flare and the smoke on the MK25 Marine Marker?

Answer 19

Yellow flare

Dense white smoke

Question 20

What is the burn time of the MK25 Marine Marker?

Answer 20

Approx 16min

Question 21

What medium activates the MK25 Marine Marker?

Answer 21

Salt water

Question 22

Can the MK25 Marine Marker be deployed in the hover?

Answer 22

No, as it enters the water and ignites, the cap can be ejected in excess of 25ft

Question 23

What is the procedure for launching the MK25 Marine Marker?

Answer 23

1. Using the key provided, arm the marker by rotating the SAFE / ARM dial on the base of the marker.
2. Ensure plugs at base of marker are pushed in
3. Obtain commander’s permission to launch
4. Launch speed should not exceed 60 KIAs
5. Launch in an outward and downward motion

Question 24

What is the purpose of the Pains-Wessex MK3 LifeSmoke?

Answer 24

Smoke signal to assist with hover reference and to indicate wind speed and direction

Question 25

What is the colour of the Pains-Wessex MK3 LifeSmoke?

Answer 25

Orange

Question 26

What is the approx burn time of the Pains-Wessex MK3 LifeSmoke?

Answer 26

3 min

Question 27

Is the Pains-Wessex MK3 LifeSmoke safe to use over oil or fuel-covered water?

Answer 27

Yes

Question 28

What is the procedure for launching the Pains-Wessex MK3 LifeSmoke?

Answer 28

1. Remove orange cap 2. Grip cord/ ring firmly and pull vertically 3. Obtain captain's permission to launch 4. Launch immediately, as per MK25 Marine Marker 5. Advise crew that MK3 LifeSmoke deployed - "LifeSmoke Away"

Question 29

What is the MK58 Marine Marker?

Answer 29

An aircraft or surface-launched location marker

Question 30

How is the MK58 Marine Marker activated?

Answer 30

Water. Wetting the water-activated battery

Question 31

What is the burn time of the MK58 Marine Marker?

Answer 31

Approx 40-55 min

Question 32

What is the colour of the smoke and flare on the MK58 Marine Marker?

Answer 32

White smoke Yellow flare

Question 33

What is the procedure for launching an MK58 Marine Marker?

Answer 33

1. Remove protective cover 2. Grasp loop and remove pull strip from over battery cavity 3. Obtain permission for captain to launch MK58 Marine Marker 4. Launch marker, open end up 5. Advise crew MK58 Marine marker deployed - "MK58 Away" Note - Marker to be disposed of if not launched after removing pull strip or at least kept dry after removing pull strip

Question 34

What are the parameters for launching aircraft-deployable pyrotechnics during daylight and night operations?

Answer 34

Not to be deployed at speeds greater than 60 KIAS and, Not to be deployed above 50ft over obstacles during the day, and Not to be deployed above 300ft over obstacles during the night

Question 35

What is the patter between pilot and aircrew for the dropping of pyrotechnics or deployable?

Answer 35

Pilot: Standby smoke / flare on my command Aircrew: Ready in back with LifeSmoke, MK25, MK58 etc Pilot: Standby to drop on my command... standby. Standby. Drop. Aircrew: Smoke / flare away.