The RAF Falcons parachute display team wows people at Weymouth beach

The RAF put on a spectacular display when their parachute team landed on Weymouth beach before spending time showing the public their parachute equipment.

The RAF Falcons parachute display team, which reach speeds of up to 120mph, were spotted flying over the city on Friday before hitting the beach as part of a training exercise .

The team’s practice was originally scheduled to take place on Thursday but was postponed due to bad weather.

Friday also saw wet weather and it was thought the jump was unlikely to take place. But skies cleared for some time later in the afternoon, allowing the team to complete their training exercise.

Photo: Dave Birchall

A Weymouth City Council spokesperson said: ‘A section of the beach was closed to the public on Friday while the RAF Falcons parachute display team undertook a practice jump.

“After the jump the guys were kind enough to hang out with the people who had gathered to watch them and show them their parachute gear – thanks guys!”

The RAF Parachute Display Team is the only centrally funded professional military parachute display team in the UK.

Dorset Echo: Photo: Dave Birchall Photo: Dave Birchall

Their freefall display, which includes advanced maneuvers, falling at speeds of up to 120 mph, and their contactless canopy stack manages to mesmerize those who see it.

People expressed their excitement to see the Parachute Display team on social media. A resident said it was great to see and made up for the team not skipping Armed Forces Day last year due to bad weather.

Social group Dorset Abilities Group were also lucky enough to witness the mesmerizing display, which left the cinema just in time to catch the RAF Falcons completing their practice jump on the beach, this which they said was a treat.

The Falcons are the UK’s premier military parachute team and are based at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire and display at sites across Britain and Europe throughout the year.

Echo of Dorset:

During their career, they have performed for the Royal Family and Heads of State many times, while introducing many innovations in formation skydiving.

It was in 1965 that the team received their name ‘RAF Falcons’, which comes from the bird of prey that represented their parades; fast, dipping, elegant and acrobatic in flight.

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