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I went
to RAF Brize Norton to join up with the Falcons, the RAF's elite
parachute display team, as they prepared to jump at the Fairford
Royal International Air Tattoo 2004.
When
I arrived at their base, I met Sergeant Mick Jones, who was enjoying
a pre-jump game of Ping-Pong. Mick is in his third and final year
with the Falcons and the Fairford jump would be his 1000th. I thought
that this was quite an incredible achievement but Mick just shrugged
it off as 'just another jump'.
Meeting
the rest of the team, you can instantly see that they're a close-knit
bunch. But I guess you have to be to perform as a synchronised display
team. The atmosphere before the flight was surprisingly relaxed
with all the members of the team playing games and watching TV.
I would have imagined that they would all have been deadly serious
but they seemed to be extremely chilled out. But I guess that after
having jumped many times together, leaping from a plane thousands
of feet above the ground holds no fear for them.
(24 Pictures)
Nervous
A short
bus journey later and I found myself standing on the runway outside
a Hercules C130 transport plane.
I have
to admit that I was slightly nervous as I imagined myself looking
out over the Gloucestershire countryside at 8,000 feet with the
main rear ramp open. Still, the sheer excitement of flying in a
Hercules managed to overcome any of those fears!
Outside
the Hercules, we joined up with the French parachute display team
from the Armée de l'Air, who were also jumping at Fairford.
They were going to jump first, followed by the Falcons.
Taking
off from Brize Norton
I was
standing in the cockpit for takeoff - there were no seats or seatbelts
for this one and I had a great view from just behind the pilot.
Taking
off, the Hercules was incredibly smooth - there was hardly any noticeable
sensation of lifting off from the runway. It was just a gentle glide
into the air as the plane gathered speed.
The
cockpit gave me some fantastic views over both the Oxfordshire and
Gloucestershire countryside as we headed to RAF Fairford.
I also
managed to take a look out along the roof of the Hercules via a
special 'viewing bubble'. It was quite an amazing sight to see an
unrestricted 360 degree view of the clouds and sky around the plane.
We
steadily gained height for about thirty minutes as the Falcons waited
for the appointed time to make the jump. Eventually Sergeant Stu
Amory, who is also a member of the Falcons display team, gave me
the nod to come to the back of the plane.
As
both the British and French display teams prepared for the jump,
I was fitted with my safety harness. A sensible precaution as the
flight engineer told me that he didn't fancy filling in mountains
of forms if I fell out of the plane!
Looking
around the rear of the Hercules, I could see the two teams preparing
for the jump and making last minute checks of their equipment. Once
everyone was set, the flight engineer opened the rear ramp.
At
this point, I would have imagined powerful wind blowing through
the plane but there was nothing of the sort - instead, it was a
low, dull roar. I could now see the fluffy white clouds around us
and the Gloucestershire countryside far below. At this point, we
were at 8,000 feet as we lined up for a run on Fairford.
Standing
on the edge
Before
the two teams made their jumps, I was invited to 'stand on the edge'
to film from the ramp. Standing on the edge of the ramp at 8,000
feet may seem like a bit of a brown trouser moment but I have to
admit that I was surprisingly calm. It all seems a bit surreal up
there - everything below seems so small that it's hard to be scared.
Aided
by one of the Falcons, I edged out into position and began to film.
I stood less than a metre from the edge for about a minute, looking
over the Gloucestershire countryside far below. Despite the fear
factor it was an awesome experience to stand there amongst the clouds.
After
that, I edged back into the plane and prepared to film the two parachute
teams. First to go were the French. They ran along the ramp and
jumped out of the plane one after another. I edged out again and
saw their red-white-and-blue parachutes opening far below. I imagined
that it must be quite an amazing rush to do what they had just done.
Falcons
are go
Moments
later, the Falcons were ready to go but their set-up was completely
different. A group of four crouched on the ramp and linked up together.
They all set off their smoke canisters in unison and jumped out
as one. They were closely followed by two sets of two jumpers. Then,
finally, the last remaining Falcon literally threw himself out of
the plane.
Before
the ramp closed, I could see the smoke trails from their canisters
streaking through the sky. I have to admit that it all looked like
amazing fun, and even standing there in the plane I could just about
imagine the adrenaline thrill of parachuting.
As
soon as the ramp closed, we descended from 8,000 feet to just 250
feet in no time at all. I felt as light as a feather as we made
the drop. Then, after removing my safety belt, I made my way back
to the cockpit.
Fairford
fly over
The
last task for the Hercules was to make a low pass over the Fairford
airshow crowds before returning home to Brize Norton.
The
Hercules banked over at nearly 90 degrees as we made a turn towards
RAF Fairford. Despite being side-on to the ground, I found myself
pinned to the floor from the sheer force of the turn. The pressure
on my thighs was incredible - it felt as though I was being squashed
into the floor. We levelled out and passed the spectator stands
at the Royal International Air Tattoo before banking steeply away
for our return to Brize Norton.
The
return flight was incredibly quick, and I could see the runway looming
large in front of us. The landing was one of the smoothest I've
ever had - the Hercules seems to have a incredibly light touch for
such a large, bulky plane. We eventually came to a stop right next
to where the Red Arrows Display Team had parked their jets - just
how cool is that?
After
unloading me along with a load of surplus equipment, the Hercules
took off again. I was left on the runway at Brize Norton, thinking
back on the wonderful experience I'd just had and imagining what
it's like to parachute. It took hours for the excitement of the
flight to fade, by which time I was completely exhausted. Being
a Falcon must be one of the best jobs in the world... ever!
(24 Pictures)
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RAF
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ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½
Gloucestershire's Nic Baddeley hitched a ride with the RAF Falcons
Parachute Display Team as they prepared to jump at the Fairford Royal
International Air Tattoo...
