What type of ropes are used at Air Assault school? And also any tips for success?

2019-04-01T13:40:14-04:00

I am slotted for air assault at Ft. Campbell this summer. I want to be successful. I was told to start practicing knots now. What type of rope do they use at AA?

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Apr 1 at 2019 2:09 PM

2019-04-01T14:09:19-04:00

Do you mean to tie your swiss seat? It is a standard rope, approx 3/4" thick (maybe someone from TSAAS is on here and can give exact width). If looking for a rope to practice with, don't worry about composition, worry about thickness. Anything between 1/2" and 1" will be fine for practice. Plus you will have lots of time to practice while in AAS (during the day, and at night when you go home).

If you mean for rapelling, you don't have to tie that, just hook in and slide down.

If you mean for securing loads, you don't actually do that - you just inspect the loads they have prepared.

Preparing to tie a swiss seat is great. But even better preparation is making sure you are physically fit. The 12-mile ruck march is not THAT difficult - but it always gets a few. Especially in the dead of summer. I never run on my ruck marches, but I usually have no problem rucking a 15 minute pace. I BARELY made it through my 12-mile just because it was SO hot and humid (2:59:13). IIRC, the obstacle course to even get in to AAS is actually what cuts most people. Make sure you can climb a rope AFTER a strenuous PT session, and you should be OK.

Response by SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2019 3:15 PM

2019-04-01T15:15:19-04:00

You will only need the rappel seat. It will be taught to you at the school. If you learn it wrong before school, it will be harder to unlearn it in school. If you are looking for a course with knots, look no further than Rappel Master. The biggest thing that I would work on for TSAAS is an obstacle course, 12 mile ruck march, get your packing list ready, and make sure that you can climb a rope. Study hard when you are in the school. AIR ASSAULT!

Response by SSG Brian L. made Apr 1 at 2019 3:21 PM

2019-04-01T15:21:29-04:00

None aside from the Swiss or the Hip Rappel seat. As for the rope it will probably be 7/16th inch nylon rope. I assure you not to worry about that yet. The instructors will guide you along the course. Just pay attention do what they tell you and live and breathe (Im mean kinda) Air Assault for 10 days and you will be fine. If you can pass an APFT and a GED (aside from slingload hands on testing) you will be fine. Show up in good physical shape and with a an open mind with good attitude and you will be successful.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2019 4:52 PM

2019-04-01T16:52:36-04:00

I didn’t practice anything. Just go there and be ready to learn the right way. Only thing you should focus on is familiarizing yourself with the Airassault handbook. Start looking at sling load ops if anything, my class lost 44 people during slingload ops.

The rest you will learn. Hope your ready for a smoke fest everyday. It’s good fun if your in shape.

Response by LTC Art Hall made Apr 1 at 2019 5:58 PM

2019-04-01T17:58:46-04:00

I went as a cadet and found that they will teach you everything you need. As far as knots go, repel seat is really only knot to learn and they teach it. Good luck and Air Assault!

Art Hall

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 1 at 2019 7:12 PM

2019-04-01T19:12:57-04:00

Sling ropes. They're green. (Assuming nothing's changed.)

Response by CSM Danny S. made Apr 2 at 2019 9:11 AM

2019-04-02T09:11:50-04:00

You would be better off practicing the obstacle course if you can. We lost at least a third of my class on day zero. The only training I did was the obstacle course and some repelling, but it is the physical requirements that kick your butt. Now things may of changed since I went through in 2001, but I can't see it changing that much. So good luck and wear the wings with pride because you are going to earn them.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 2 at 2019 10:31 AM

2019-04-02T10:31:50-04:00

It's a 7/16" nylon rope. It's dynamic and the same rope for rappelling is used to make the swiss seats. Swiss seat will be about 12 feet long to work with, needs the square knot and 2 securing knots at the end.
Like the others have said, don't worry about that part, it's easy. Study your slingloads and aircraft load information - how many people w/ seats, w/out seats, lbs it can sling for each type, minimum diamter for LZ, etc..

Response by SGT Robert Mcfadden made Apr 2 at 2019 1:21 PM

2019-04-02T13:21:26-04:00

Dont worry about what you will learn. Be more concerned with your fitness , going thru 90 percent of the obstacle course then being too tired to climb the rope. As far as the 12 mile road march I ran downhill marched uphill finished 2 hr 36 min. Make darn sure your packing list is correct, used to be 2 different ones depending on the season. Run everywhere and follow directions. AIR ASSAULT!

Response by SGT Steve Anderson made Apr 6 at 2019 10:17 PM

2019-04-06T22:17:55-04:00

I concur with what everyone else states, prepare yourself for day 0 and for that last grueling roadmarch what was it 12 miles? They don't let you use your frame, I was literally bleeding from the wells that my ruck caused but it was worth it. Good luck! If you plan on going to rappelmaster afterwards there you get to do all the knots, only one I remember is the anchor line bowline

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jul 20 at 2019 3:17 PM

2019-07-20T15:17:41-04:00

Don't forget packing gloves.

Response by SGT Mark Rhodes made Jul 20 at 2019 7:01 PM

2019-07-20T19:01:03-04:00

2LT Private RallyPoint Member I would not worry about the knots. They will teach you everything you need to know. I would practice running with full gear. The 12 mile ruck March is one of the hardest I ever done. I finished 4th in my class and had I practiced more I could have been 1st.
Air Assault

Response by LTC Art Hall made Aug 4 at 2019 11:01 PM

2019-08-04T23:01:36-04:00

To practice knots you can use any 5/8 or 3/4 inch rope, but I caution you that when it comes to ropes and knots, its best to wait till you go to the school. As a rule I've found in both Air Assault, and Ranger School, that whomever teaches you the knot will expect you to use their technique. If you vary from this you chance being a no-go on that particular knot. Food for thought.

Response by LTC Art Hall made Aug 4 at 2019 11:02 PM

2019-08-04T23:02:01-04:00

Good luck, and Air Assault!

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2019 4:49 PM

2019-09-15T16:49:45-04:00

Passed Air Assault!!! Thank you all!!!

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2019 4:50 PM

2019-09-15T16:50:22-04:00

Passed Air Assault!! Thank you everyone!!

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 15 at 2019 4:50 PM

2019-09-15T16:50:58-04:00

Passed Air Assault!!! Thank you all!!