U. S. Air Force Academy Parachute Landing Assistant

Background
The U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) has issued a Notice of Intent to Sole Source a commercial contract using simplified procedures to Plako, LLC for the Parachute Landing Assistant (PLA). 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, allowing instructors and jumpers to critique their landings and make height adjustments as needed. The PLA is customizable and has a software GUI which allows for adjustment for alarm altitudes to correspond to various parachute types, sizes, and loads. It has a 'smart landing logic' with a descent algorithm to adjust flare height to airspeed, turbulence, or flight mode changes.

Work Details
The contract requires 40 units of the Parachute Landing Assistant (PLA) which is a laser-based sensor that assists jumpers in developing the visual skill of determining when to initiate the flare sequence during day or night. The PLA has specific technical specifications including a 32-bit micro-controller, 120 Hz update rate, real-time clock, 8GB installed micro SD card, data and configuration accessed via mini-B USB, 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, built-in rechargeable lithium battery with charge time of 3 hours and operation time of 8 hours continuous, dimensions of length 2.7", width 2.8", depth 1.9", weight 7oz, class 1 laser with total laser power 1.3w and beam diameter d/100 (70'=.7), accuracy of <16.4' +/- (1") typical and >16.4' +/- (3.9") typical with mean+/-1% of distance maximum.

Period of Performance
Anticipated award on or before 1 June 2023 (subject to availability of funds) as a Firm Fixed Price Purchase Order.