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RAF Falcons jump into Slovak International Air Festival

31 Aug 2022

Editor: Eleanor Tomlin

Image shows RAF Falcons just landed on the ground with parachute deployed.

This weekend saw the RAF Falcons Parachute Display team jump over the 2022 Slovak International Air Festival in Letecká základňa Malacky (Malacky Air Base), Slovakia.

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Image shows RAF Falcons team falling with parachutes deployed and red smoke trails.

The world renowned parachute team, conducting their 56th display of the year were supported by the RAF Air Mobility Fleet from RAF Brize Norton with a crew and Hercules aircraft from 47 Squadron providing the platform to jump from over the crowds at the show.

Image shows MiG-29 Fulcrum in flight.

The show gave the Slovakian Air Force a chance to bid farewell to its out-going MiG-29 Fulcrums as they look to retire the type. Alongside that a number of our NATO allies and partner nations displayed with the likes of the Polish Air Force ‘Tiger Demo Team’ F-16, Turkish Air Force ‘Solo Turk’ F-16 and the Hungarian Display Pilot Zoltán Veres.

Image shows RAF Falcons jumping from aircraft loading bay.

It’s always a great honour to not only support our Falcons, but also shows such as the Slovak International Air Festival with the Hercules.

Flight Lieutenant Owen
RAF Hercules Pilot

Image shows RAF Falcons with parachute deployed and red smoke trails.

To see not only our Falcons perform over Malacky but also all of our NATO allies was certainly a sight to behold and something that the RAF, Brize Norton and 47 Squadron is happy to be a part of.

I'm pleased that a 47 Squadron crew has been able to support our colleagues in the RAF Falcons and drop them for their display at the Slovakian International Air Festival. I’m very grateful to our Slovakian hosts for welcoming the crew, strengthening the bonds between our two countries.

Wing Commander Sjoberg
Officer Commanding 47 Squadron

Image shows RAF Falcon packing bag on the ground.

As a bonus the RAF Falcons walked away as winners of the Best Sport and Civil Aviation Display award at this year's show.

Image shows RAF aviators sitting in the loading bay of Hercules aircraft for group photo.

It’s a huge honour to win the best air display award at the Slovak International Air Festival, it takes an incredible amount of team work from the engineers, pilots, loadmasters, photographers and parachutists to achieve the display you see in the skies above and we hope to display for the Airshow again next season.

Flight Sergeant Bruce
Falcons Team Coach

Image shows RAF aviators interacting with public on airfield.

Read more about the Falcons

Image shows RAF Falcons team on the ground.

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