Q: How long do you spend on the Team?
SNCO's (Senior non-commissioned officers) spend 3 years on the Team. The Team Leader (OC Falcons - a commissioned officer) will have a 2 year tenure.
Q: How fast do you fall when in Freefall?
Generally you Freefall at an average speed of 120mph, but by altering your body position you can reach speeds of upto 180mph. This is particularly relevant when the Team members are tracking through the air prior to deploying their parachutes.
Q: Do you pack your own parachutes?
All Team members pack their own parachutes. They are supervised throughout by the Survival Equipment Fitters. During the packing process there are 6 check stages aswell as a final check when the pack has been completed. Before being issued a maintenance check must be carried out.
Q: How high do you jump from?
The Team are able to perform 3 different shows depending on weather conditions, a High, Mid or Low show. The lowest altitude that the Team can jump from is 2,500ft while the maximum height is 12,000ft. Any higher and the Team would have to wear oxygen for the display.
Q: How do you know when to pull?
After exiting the aircraft the Team move into pre-determined positions, here they are able to see the other members and more importantly the Team Coach. When he has reached his set altitude he will duck dive down to increase the separation and signal for the rest of the Team to deploy their parachutes.
Q: How do you know when to turn?
All Team members wear radios. The Team Coach controls the entire display and talks to the rest of the team as they descend. He will inform them of wind conditions, when to pull their smokes and when to turn to ensure the stack remains together from parachute deployment to landing on the DZ.
Q: What aircraft do you jump from?
The RAF Falcons normally use a C130 Hercules, but the Team are also cleared to jump from a Chinook, Dakota DC3 and Puma helipcopter. They have also been cleared to jump from a large array of civilian light aircraft.