The RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team have begun training ahead of the 2026 display season, on Exercise Freefall Endeavour in California.
Exercise Freefall Endeavour, is the first part of two training exercises the team take part in prior to displaying in the summer. Freefall Endeavour primarily focuses on leaning freefall skydiving skills and gaining qualifications, which are used both during the display and in RAF parachute instructing.
The teams dedicated Survival Equipment Technicians have ensured all the equipment for the team has been transported to California for the exercise. They maintain and ensure the upkeep of the parachutes and supporting equipment the team use every day. On Freefall Endeavour this also includes supervising civilian staff at the skydive centre in California, working together to keep the team safe during their jumps.
Corporal Edmund Dyson is one of the teams Survival Equipment Technicians. He said:
“We’ve been preparing the equipment prior to the team starting their freefall training at Skydive Perris. During the trip we will be continually ensuring the serviceability of the parachutes, changing components and performing regular checks on the kit. The job is very physical, maintaining the equipment hands on, but also involves a lot of documentation and logistics. Every component change, every descent must be logged. Our main role is to keep people safe and ensure the team have the right kit to gain their qualification
Corporal Edmund Dyson
Survival Equipment Technician
Listen to the RAF Brize Norton 'BrizeNet podcast', on our YouTube page, in which, we hear from Corporal Edmund Dyson, one of the team's dedicated Survival Equipment Technicians, to find out how they have been preparing the equipment for the exercise: https://youtu.be/C_ZZrQJIiyw
