No 1 Parachute Training School

No 1 Parachute Training School was formed at a critical time in the nation's history and is one of the most famous units of the Royal Air Force. The staff of the School comprises of Physical Education Officers and Physical Training Instructors - all of which are qualified as Parachute Jumping Instructors - a Training Design Advisor and a small support staff who provide administrative assistance.

History

"We ought to have a corps of at least 5000 parachute troops.....I hear something is being done already to form such a corps but only, I believe, on a very small scale. Advantage must be taken of the summer to train these troops......."

Winston Churchill April 1940.

The Central Landing Establishment was soon formed at Royal Air Force Ringway, Manchester and the first decent was made on 12 July. The first fatality occurred less than 2 weeks later. Parachuting was suspended immediately but very shortly a new parachute was designed and would stay in service for the next 20 years. Trainees were arriving at a rate of 100 every 2 weeks for a 2-week course, consisting of 6 descents at decreasing heights from 800 ft to 300 ft. The first British Airborne operation was carried out by 40 of the original Commandos, now reformed as the Special Air Service at the Apulia Aqueduct in Italy. In 1946, No 1 Parachute Training School moved to Royal Air Force Upper Heyford, using Royal Air Force Weston-on-the-Green as the training drop zone. In 1950, No 1 Parachute Training School moved to Royal Air Force Abingdon and then in April 1976 it moved to its current home at Royal Air Force Brize Norton. Over the years No 1 Parachute Training School has been directly involved in the airborne assaults in Sicily, Normandy, Arnhem and the Rhine crossing.

With time, parachute types and despatching techniques have evolved considerably. At present, students on the Basic Parachute Course use the Low Level Parachute and complete a total of 9 descents before they are awarded their parachuting wings. With the use of various steerable parachutes airborne soldiers can now deploy anywhere in the world from various heights up to 25000 ft.

No 1 PTS Composition

The School consists of 3 squadrons, each having its own vital role to play in the delivery of parachute training.

Military Training Squadron

In its main role, Military Training Squadron provides the instruction for selected personnel from the 3 Services in all aspects of military static line parachuting and facilitates the provision of water descents for Armed Forces personnel. It also provides the training required for selected personnel to become Parachute Jumping Instructors, Synthetic Parachute Instructors and Assistant Parachute Jumping Instructors, as well as providing instructor and student support for Air Concentration Exercise detachments. Much of the Squadron's efforts are concentrated upon the following 2 courses:

Basic Parachute Course. A 9-jump course predominantly filled by the Parachute Regiment. Troops make each descent from a C-130 aircraft using the Low Level Parachute at heights of 800 ft and 1000 ft.

Static Line Square Course. An 8-jump course for specially selected Service personnel. Using the static line square parachute, troops are despatched from a C-130 or Skyvan aircraft at heights ranging from 1200 ft to 3000 ft and due to the parachute's flying characteristics are able to land within yards of one another.

Specialist Training Squadron

Specialist Training Squadron provides a variety of expertise across the Parachute Jumping Instructor spectrum. Through continuation training and overseas exercises it is responsible for the training of specialist airborne troops in military free fall techniques as well as for the free fall development of No 1 Parachute Training School's Parachute Jumping Instructors. It also facilitates the personal development of Tri-Service personnel through static line and free fall parachuting under the Joint Services Adventurous Training Scheme and is responsible for the Royal Air Force Falcons Parachute Display Team.

Training Support Squadron

Training Support Squadron provides the appropriate level of administrative support required to ensure that the School meets its training objectives. Through its qualified and experienced staff of Parachute Jumping Instructors, it governs all parachuting publications, training design and documentation. Its Service and civilian staff deal with No 1 Parachute Training School personnel issues and are also responsible for bidding for aircraft and the logistical and administrative support for parachute courses.

No 1 PTS - Drop Zone

Royal Air Force Weston-on-the-Green

Royal Air Force Weston-on-the-Green is the home of No 1 Parachute Training School's training drop zone. As its name suggests, it is located away from RAF Brize Norton, close to the village of Weston-on-the-Green. The drop zone encompasses a huge area of flat land ideal for use by the School's inexperienced, trainee parachutists. Home to the RAF Sports Parachute Association, RAF Weston-on-the-Green also provides basic, intermediate and advanced static line and free fall training for Service personnel under the Joint Service Adventurous Training Scheme.

For more information on the RAF Sports Parachute Association go to www.rafspa.com.

No 1 PTS - Air Concentration Exercise

Air Concentration Exercises occur approximately 3 times per year and are the means by which the Armed Forces trains its soldiers in the techniques of high altitude military parachuting. California and South Africa are the favoured destinations for the exercises due to the favourable weather conditions there.

Each Air Concentration Exercise is divided into 2 phases. The first takes place at a civilian skydiving centre and, using a Twin Otter aircraft and Navigator parachutes, sees soldiers put through the rigours of the Military Accelerated Free Fall Course. This programme, a variant of its civilian counterpart - the Accelerated Free Fall Course - takes personnel from complete novice to proficient skydiver in just 30 descents. Parachute Jumping Instructors from No 1 Parachute Training School, RAF Brize Norton, are responsible for the tuition, delivered through the use of in-air signals and thorough, video-assisted debriefs. During the first few descents the Parachute Jumping Instructors maintain a firm grip on the students, the emphasis placed upon exiting correctly and flying in a good, stable position. Once individuals display a suitable level of competency they are released and gradually taught an extensive repertoire of free fall skills.

Once the basics of how to skydive have been learnt, all personnel move on to the next aspect of training. They are joined by a C-130J aircraft and its crew from RAF Lyneham, more Parachute Jumping Instructors from No 1 Parachute Training School and a number of other support staff, for the second phase of the course - the tuition of the military aspects of free fall parachuting. Students switch to the BT 80 parachute and progressively develop their skills. On the successful completion of the 25 descents conducted during this phase, they achieve High Altitude Parachutists Grade 1 status and are thus qualified to free fall at night from up to 25000 ft, using a personal oxygen system and carrying an equipment container weighing up to 120 lbs and weapon.

In addition to the tuition of the High Altitude Parachutist Course, previously High Altitude Parachutist-qualified soldiers undergo the Tandem Master Course. Over 23 jumps soldiers acquire the techniques necessary to free fall at night using a personal oxygen system, carrying a passenger (also on oxygen), equipment container and weapon from up to 15000 ft. Students are also taught to jump attached to the Military Tandem Tethered Bundle, a means of parachuting up to 410 lbs of equipment into theatre.