The climbing aptitude test
On arrival at RAF Stenigot, you first get changed in to the appropriate clothing for the current or predicted weather conditions. Whist the instructors install the fall arrest systems, you are then given a full health and safety brief from the conducting officer. During which, an instructor checks your harness fits correctly and makes any necessary adjustments. You are then led to the the tower leg and demonstrated the best climbing position for this structure, as well as the correct way to carry out the pole strap exercise. Students are then given the opportunity to practice these techniques before the start of the test.
The following exercises are fully demonstrated by AES staff.
50ft (15m) Exercise: This exercise is designed to test your climbing skills and ability to carry out a simple activity at a relatively low height. It also gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your trust in your safety equipment.
On reaching the the 50ft platform you are ready to start your first activity. You are connected to a fall arrest device, which is controlled from the 200ft platform, as well as being connected to a more local secondary safety device. You are now required to climb over the safety rail, sit down on the metal support and shim your way along a from the platform to the tower leg.
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On reaching the tower leg, you then raise yourself into a standing position and detach yourself from the secondary safety device. Working your way around to the outside of the tower leg, you need to look down and locate a suitable foot hold. Starting your decent, get into the jockey position, using the inside of your rubber boots as friction against the tower leg, enabling you to take your time and preserve energy.
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On reaching the 20ft level, you are now required to carry out the work positioning exercise (Flying Angel) as practiced on the ground. Here you have to detach one end of the pole strap, taking it around the tower leg and attach it back onto your harness. You then adjust it, allowing you to lean back, let go and hold your arms out.
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After getting the thumb up off your conducting officer, you are then to pull yourself back into the structure and disconnect your pole strap. You then stow it away and reconnect it to the harness, continuing down the structure again using the jockey position. On reaching the ground, you then climb back up to the 90ft platform for the next exercise.
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90ft (27m) Exercise: This exercise tests your aptitude and physical co-ordination whilst climbing at height.
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After being reconnected to the fall arrest devices, you again have to climb over the safety rail. Turning your body, you position yourself so your back is to the railing, feet astride on the two platform supports. Taking small step, relying on your balance, you are to work your way towards the end. |
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Following the technique demonstrated previously, bend down, grab the supports and swing your left leg forward and sit down. On lowering your other leg, reach forward and lift yourself on to the lower support so that each leg is hanging down either side. Again lean forward, grab the support and pull yourself along, swinging your legs as you go to give you momentum. |
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On reaching the intersection, you need to get yourself into a position which allows you to lift your left leg over the two left supports. Then readjust and lift your right leg so that you back in the astride sitting position. Now again pull yourself forward, ensuring that you don't get your harness caught on the bolts, and make your way towards the tower leg.
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On reaching the demonstrator, stay seated whilst he disconnects the secondary safety device. Then you need to grab the diagonal supports above you and pull yourself up in to the standing position. Moving around the tower leg, ensuring you safety line is clear, start to descend down to the 50ft platform where an instructor will guide you back on to the platform and disconnect you from the fall arrest device. |
200ft (61m)Exercise: This exercise uses a combination of the two previous skills along with viewing a perspective students physical fitness, strength and stamina culminating with a final climb to 360 ft (110m).
On reaching the 200ft platform, you will be given chance to recover before moving onto the next exercise. Connected to the fall arrest device and having climbed over the safety railing, you now have to descend 40ft to the lower rest platform. Using the techniques used on previous exercise, you need to be aware that the leg is more vertical with more braces.
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This means that you have less opportunity to get into the sitting position which allows you to lock out your arms and preserve energy. So more arm work and trying to avoid getting your boots caught in the more acute angles of the tower bracing. On reaching the demonstrator, follow his guidance and work your way towards the rest platform, disconnect from you safety line and climb back up to the 200ft platform.
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Well done, you have now completed the key exercises of the Climbing Aptitude Test. All that remains is that you climb up the remaining 160ft to the top of the tower and take in the amazing view, weather permitting!! In the distance you can see Lincoln and surrounding land marks but in the surrounding fields you can see the lines of bomb craters, still visible from the Second World War.
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Throughout the Climbing Aptitude Test you will of climbed up 590ft and down 490ft, now that's an achievement!
