A Day in the Life of The SkyHawks!

Parachute Demonstration Team
The SkyHawks are Canada’s only military parachute demonstration team. And, the editors of LearnToFly.ca were invited to spend a day with this precision parachute jump team. It was at the 2011 Waterloo Air Show that Greg McKay and Geoff McKay met up with the SkyHawks. We were given full ‘behind the scenes’ access, allowing us to compile a complete video of the experience.

The SkyHawks perform incredible aerobatic parachute formations before crowds across North America. With 33 shows this season, the SkyHawks represent Canada and the Canadian Forces with great pride.

71 Million Spectators
This elite team of skydivers puts on a spectacular show. Over 71 million spectators worldwide have enjoyed watching the SkyHawks as they perform their dangerous and thrilling manoeuvres before the crowds.

A Day in the Life of the SkyHawks!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to jump from an airplane? Follow along as we meet the SkyHawks, prepare for take-off, and then perform before tens of thousands of spectators at the Waterloo Air Show.

Video: A Day in the Life of the SkyHawks!

Watch a Day in the Life of the SkyHawks at the Waterloo Air Show!

SkyHawks Base
The Canadian Forces SkyHawks are based out of Warfare Centre, Ontario. Team Members are specially selected from the Army, Navy and Air Force to showcase the professionalism, dedication and team work of Canada’s military.

Voice of the SkyHawks
Captain Indira Thackorie, Public Affairs Officer for the Canadian Forces Parachute Team, is the “Voice of the SkyHawks”.

Captain Thackorie is the Announcer for the SkyHawks at the many air show performances. It’s her energetic voice you hear as she gives a detailed and exciting “play-by-play” of what’s happening in the skies above. As the SkyHawks jump from the airplane overhead, often two miles above, Captain Thackorie narrates the action and explains all their amazing and dangerous manoeuvres. She also provides some history of the SkyHawks, as she keeps you focused on the action above.

Canopy Relative Work
The SkyHawks team builds beautiful formations in the sky. The team members come in close proximity to each other and link together to assemble into formations. You see two, three, four or more SkyHawks members  and canopies connected as one. Their canopies may be stacked on top of each other, or sometimes they connect via their arms and legs in a side-by-side formation. It takes incredible skill and courage to accomplish this death defying Canopy Relative Work (CRW).

40th Anniversary
The 2011 season marks the 40 anniversary of the SkyHawks. This is an amazing milestone and accomplishment for this talented team of skydivers. The SkyHawks perform 33 shows across North America during their 40th anniversary season from May to October 2011.

The SkyHawks are easily recognized by their Signature Canadian Flag Canopies. The red and white Canadian Flag Parachutes are a trademark icon at Air Shows and Performances throughout North America.

Canadian Flag Parachutes
This SkyHawk has the signature Canadian Flag Canopy overhead, and he has also unfurled a 450 square foot Canadian Flag trailing from his foot.

In addition to the Canadian Flag Parachutes, the SkyHawks usually have at least one large Canadian Flag and one large U.S. Flag displayed on a member’s foot. A provincial flag is also attached to a team member during a performance.

Very Colourful
The SkyHawks performance is always very exciting and also very colourful. With the large Canadian Flag parachutes and trailing flags, the sky is filled with brilliant and colourful images.

Tandem Jumps
Our Day in the Life of the SkyHawks video shows both single jumpers and tandem jumpers. The tandem jumpers are strapped together, and jump out of the aircraft as a pair with a single parachute. In Tandem parachuting, the guest skydiver is securely connected to a tandem instructor by a harness. The experienced tandem instructor guides the guest through the entire jump. The two remain connected as they exit the aircraft, freefall, open the parachute, pilot the canopy, and safely land in the designated landing zone.

Two Miles High
During our ride with the SkyHawks, there was a team of 13 members jumping, and two additional “guests” were part of the tandem jumps. Along with LearnToFly.ca, the Discovery Channel was also invited, and they performed several scientific experiments involving coloured water during the jumps.  Most of the team jumped (@ 9:20 in the video above) from 6,000 feet  (over a mile in the sky), and the tandem jumpers jumped (@ 10:30 in the video above) from 12,500 feet. (over two miles high in the sky)

VIP Tandem Jumpers
On the aircraft with us were two VIP Tandem Jumpers. Todd Cowan, the Mayor of Woolwich, and 96.7 CHYM FM Producer Ryan Mahn took to the skies, and tandem jumped with the SkyHawks from 2 miles above. (You can see their terrified faces in the video above @ 10:30)

Signature Formations
The Canadian Forces Parachute Team have several Signature Formations they perform before the crowds. Pictured to the right are two SkyHawks with their chutes side-by-side and their legs locked to hold them together.

Dangerous Canopy Work
This is very dangerous canopy work as they must ensure their parachutes do not become entangled or collapsed as they set-up and maintain these tricky formations. (TIP: Click on the picture to enlarge)

Parabatics
Parachute Aerobatics, or “Parabatics” are often performed by the SkyHawks. Two SkyHawks will form a Bi-Plane (2-stack) and then transition into a leg lock. They will fly their parachutes side by side and perform aerobatics in the sky.

Three SkyHawks
Many of the formations include three SkyHawks linked together. There’s the “Tri-By-Side” where three SkyHawks form a 3-stack and then transition into a horizontal circle with their parachutes forming the outer ring. There’s also the “Three Stack Drag” where three SkyHawks form a 3-stack. They then transition into opposite ends with two jumpers on one end, and the bottom jumper locates at the bottom of the stack and inverts, flying upside down!

Canadian T
The SkyHawks Signature “Canadian T” Formation pictured here also involves three jumpers. Three SkyHawks form a 3-stack and then transition into a formation in the shape of a “T”. You can see the jumper at the bottom has the large, trailing, 450 square foot Canadian Flag at the bottom of the formation.

Parachute Equipment
For our Day in the Life of a SkyHawk video, we were introduced to the SkyHawks team, and then provided a tour of the aircraft and the equipment was demonstrated and explained. We then joined the team as they flew to the skies, and jumped out of the SkyHawks aircraft. The parachute equipment is carefully checked before every flight.

Multiple Parachutes
Each SkyHawk has multiple parachutes. There’s the large Canadian Flag Canopy main Parachute you typically see above each SkyHawk. (This is attached to a small drone chute that first deploys to help the Main chute deploy correctly) But, each jumper also has a smaller Reserve Parachute as a back-up. If the main parachute gets tangled or fails, the jumper will then release the main chute, and open the smaller reserve chute. It’s a back-up or “safety” chute just in case the primary parachute fails to deploy properly. Each SkyHawk packs their own mains, but one of the four parachute riggers on the team must pack the reserve parachute.

Corporal Johann Reimer
Our Day in the Life of the SkyHawks video features Corporal Johann Reimer. Corporal Reimer is pictured here after safely returning to earth after the SkyHawks Waterloo Air Show performance.

Corporal Reimer is from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and he joined the SkyHawks this year as part of their 40th anniversary season. Johann has the lowest jump numbers of any of the SkyHawks on the team with about 300 jumps to date.

Corporal Reimer demonstrates great enthusiasm, expertise and professionalism for the SkyHawks as he guides us through a typical day as a member of the Canadian Forces Parachute Team – the SkyHawks.

Parachute Training
The SkyHawks training camp is located in Perris, California. Training Camp lasts five weeks, and members jump about ten times each day. Corporal Reimer explains they have the best training with the greatest instructors.

SkyHawks Parachute Team
The Canadian Forces SkyHawks Parachute Team assembles for a group photo just before take-off. Pictured at the far left is Captain Indira Thackorie, and Corporal Johann Reimer is at the far right in the photo. You also see the guest tandem jumpers Todd Cowan and Ryan Mahn in the black jump suits.

Additional Equipment
In addition to the jump suit, main parachute, reserve parachute and helmet, the SkyHawks members have some important additional equipment they take with them on every jump.

Audible DYTTER
Tucked inside the helmet of each SkyHawk is an audible device called a DYTTER. This beeps key altitudes that have been pre-programmed into the small device to make the Skydiver aware of key altitudes as they descend. (@ 1:39 in the video above)

Each SkyHawk also has a skydiver altimeter gauge they wear that displays altitude above the ground, and the jumper ensures this is correctly “zero’d” before they take-off. They also have an Automatic Activation Device (AAD) that will automatically deploy the parachute based on an algorithm of altitude and vertical velocity. If the jumper is unconscious or unable to deploy their parachute for any reason, the AAD is pre-programmed to intervene and automatically deploy the main chute.

SkyHawks Candy-Cane Formation
One of the really beautiful displays you’ll see at a SkyHawks performance is the “Candy-Cane” formation. A SkyHawk spirals downwards with several coloured smoke canisters attached below their feet. In this picture, you can see the six smoke trails generated by the canisters strung together on a line below the jumper.

Thrilling Display
The SkyHawks team is comprised of highly professional, skilled, and experienced soldiers from the Canadian Forces. The SkyHawks are renowned for their signature Canopy Relative Work (CRW) parachute performance.

The SkyHawks Parabatic CRW performance is amazing. These aerial demonstrations visually captivate spectators at every performance. Their performance highlights the technical expertise of the SkyHawks as they demonstrate thrilling and dangerous parachute formations.

Fun Experience
It was a really fun and exciting experience to spend the day with the SkyHawks. After meeting the team, and seeing all the equipment, it was time to board the airplane and take to the skies.

Tethered
We were fitted with a harness, and then tethered into the aircraft. This provided us the opportunity to access the ramp at the back of the airplane while in the air. It’s an excellent vantage point for shooting incredible photographs, and we could also video tape the SkyHawks as they jumped from the airplane.

CASA C-212 Aircraft
The SkyHawks jump plane is a medium transport STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) CASA C-212 Aviocar aircraft. Before we took to the skies, you can see the team’s parachute equipment laid out and ready for the SkyHawks to board.

Medium Transport
The CASA 212 is a medium transport, twin engine plane that holds the entire team and a few guests inside. On each side, there is bench seating where the SkyHawks sit during take-off and ascent. The centre aisle has room for jumpers to stand and walk to the front of the airplane (Cockpit) or the back of the plane where you see the jump ramp.

Jump Ramp
The Jump Ramp was at the back of the CASA 212 folds down for boarding. For take-off and climb to altitude, the ramp was partially raised, but the back was still left open to provide an awesome view. Once we got to 6,000 feet, the first group of jumpers moved to the back of the airplane and prepared to jump. The jump ramp was levelled, and it makes for a great, unobstructed platform for exiting the aircraft. Next to the ramp you see the small red and green lights used to signal the jumpers.

CASA C-212 Cockpit
You can see the SkyHawks Pilots in the cockpit of the CASA C-212 Aviocar as the team airplane ascends during the performance. It takes quite a few minutes as the airplane circles around the jump zone and climbs to the jump altitude. The pilots need to consider the wind velocity and wind direction to help determine the best exit location for the jumpers. The wind will cause the jumpers to drift, and the drift amount needs to be calculated carefully.

Streamers Away
To help determine the amount of wind drift that will be experienced, the SkyHawks first drop some colourful streamers when they are directly over the drop zone. (@ 8:40 in the video) These streamers are made of colourful crepe paper and the crowd below watches these streamers float to earth. The distance they blow from the intended drop zone is measured, to determine the exact adjustment needed before the SkyHawks begin their jump.

SkyHawks Signature Salute
As the SkyHawks jump from the aircraft, many will use their Signature Salute. (@ 9:27 in the video) They stand on the jump ramp with their backs to the opening. As they salute the rest of the members in the airplane, they simply fall backwards to exit the airplane. It’s very graceful, and amazing to see!

Canadian Forces Parachute Team – The SkyHawks
It was amazing to spend the day with the SkyHawks. Thanks to the entire team and especially to Corporal Johann Reimer for his video interview. Through this video, you can now experience a Day in the Life of a SkyHawk!

Thanks for reading.

Rotary Brantford Charity Air Show

Wednesday September 1, 2010
The Snowbirds come to Brantford!

Don’t miss the Brantford Charity Air Show 2010 on Wednesday September 1.

LearnToFly.ca Editors Greg and Geoff McKay spent the day with the pilots, and were given a preview of this year’s charity air show. From the preview we saw, this show is going to be a spectacular air show. You and your entire family will have a great day at this fantastic event.

Canadian Forces Snowbirds
Snowbird 10 Pilot, Captain Dan Rossi of the Canadian Forces 431 Air Demonstration Squadron spends a few minutes with Geoff before taking to the air. Captain Dan explains the Snowbird Team’s planned air show routine and the types of manoeuvres and formation flying they will be performing for the crowds at the Brantford Charity Air Show on Wednesday September 1, 2010.

Canadian Forces CT-114 Tutor
Geoff joins Captain Dan in the cockpit of this CT-114 Tutor Jet, and Captain Dan explains some of the handling characteristics and instrumentation of this remarkable training jet.

The Snowbirds are the highlight of the air show, and it’s great to have them out for this Brantford charity event. The crowds will love the Snowbirds’ performance as they demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of the Canadian Forces personnel.

Formation Flying
The Snowbirds are well known for their precision, formation flying, and the crowds will truly love their spectacular aerial demonstration. As the jet engines roar, and the Snowbirds take to the air, the energy and excitement will be amazing. The entire family will be thrilled to experience the Snowbirds’ incredible performance.

CT-114 Tutor Cockpit
Here’s the Instrument Panel of the CT-114 Tutor Jet. The panel uses the older, more familiar style gauges instead of the newer “glass cockpit” you see in many of the newer military fighter aircraft.

Captain Dan Rossi familiarized Geoff with the CT-114 Tutor Jet Cockpit, and then Captain Dan explained many of the acrobatic manoeuvres planned for the Snowbirds’ upcoming performance.

Geoff was also joined by Captain Marc Velasco, the Public Affairs Officer for the CF 431 Air Demonstration Squadron. Both Captain Dan and Captain Marc of the Snowbirds’ Team were extremely helpful and friendly as they talked about the history and accomplishments of this high energy team.

The Snowbirds perform over 60 Air Shows in 35 cities over a period of 6 months, and it’s a great opportunity to see their awesome and exciting precision acrobatic performance in Brantford.

Interview with Captain Dan Rossi, Snowbird 10 Pilot

Captain Dan Rossi with LearnToFly.ca Editor Geoff McKay

Captain Dan Rossi talks about the Brantford Air Show, and the CT-144 Tutor Jet. Captain Dan explains the three different types of routines possible, depending upon the weather conditions and cloud cover during the show. Captain Dan also briefs us on the performance specifications of the famous Snowbirds’ Jet. He gives us the VNE, Stall Speed, and G-Force limitations for this high performance, acrobatic jet. The performance envelope of the CT-144 Tutor Jet (Snowbird) is truly amazing.

Performers at the Air Show include:

• Canadian Forces Snowbirds
• Canadian Forces SkyHawks
• Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team
• CF-18 Fighter Jet Static Display
• Rob Holland Aerobatics
• Danny Richer – T-28B Trojan
• Martin Mattes – YAK 52
• Martin Mattes – Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfin Jet
• Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Lancaster Bomber
• Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Canso PBY
• Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum B-25 Bomber
• Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum D-C3
• Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Lysander
• Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum Firefly
• Rick Volker – Sukhoi SU-26M
• Beechcraft King Air B-200

See you at the Brantford Charity Air Show

Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Gates Open at 11:00 am
Opening Ceremony at 3:15 pm

Admission: Free!
(But Charity Donations Appreciated)

View the complete Flightline

Arrive early. Bring the entire family. Bring Sunscreen. Bring a Donation. Don’t forget your camera!

Related Articles:

1. Brantford Charity Air Show
2. Snowbirds at the Waterloo Aviation Expo
3. Dryden Centennial 2010 Air Show

Rotary Brantford Charity Air Show 2010

Rotary Club of Brantford
The Brantford Charity Air Show is presented by the Rotary Club of Brantford.

FREE!
Yes, this is a FREE AIR SHOW!

Please Support Charity
The Brantford Charity Air Show is one of the few FREE Air Shows still available. Since the show started, this air show has been provided each year as a free show to the public. At the gates, they do ask for a cash donation from visitors to support charity. If you prefer, you may also bring some non-perishable food, and it will be donated to a local food bank.

Last year, this Brantford Charity Air Show raised $53,000 in funds to support the local Boys and Girls Club and the Lansdowne Children Centre. Bring your family, and enjoy a great day of fun at the Air Show, and please remember to provide a donation at the gates to help local charity. All show proceeds will be donated to the Rotary Club of Brantford, supporting the Brantford community in places it is needed most.

11 Years
2010 marks the 11th year of the Brantford Charity Air Show. And, this year’s show promises to be one of the best years ever. The Brantford Air Show is a family friendly event filled with excitement and action. The highest calibre air show performers will thrill you and your family as they dazzle the crowd with an exciting and action packed performance.

Wednesday September 1, 2010
The Air Show is a mid-week show, held on Wednesday, September 1.

Gates Open at 11:00 am
Opening Ceremony at 3:15 pm

The Show is held a the Brantford Municipal Airport, located in Brantford, Ontario.

Onsite Parking is available at $10 per vehicle.

Canadian Forces Snowbirds
The Snowbirds are one of the most exciting performances at any Air Show, and the Snowbirds are confirmed to be performing at the Brantford Charity Air Show. This is certainly to be one of the highlights of the Show, with this professional, dedicated team of Canadian Aviators demonstrating for their Country.

The Snowbirds’ performance will demonstrate incredible aerial precision as they fly in close formation before the thrilled crowd of spectators. In addition to the Snowbirds, the Military Parachute Team the SkyHawks are also confirmed, and they will be another exciting highlight of the show.

Incredible Attendance
Last year there was an estimated crowd of 35,000 air show visitors at the Brantford Charity Air Show. This is great for the community, and it’s an incredible opportunity for everyone to enjoy aviation up close. Be certain to come early, to get the best place on the grounds to view the show. And, don’t forget your sunscreen, sunglasses and lawn chairs. Be prepared for a great day with the family.

Arrive Early
Arrive early on show day, and bring a lawn chair. Claim your spot front-row-centre right on the tarmac. You will be in the heart of the action! With front-row location, you can watch the line up of incredible planes take off from the runway directly in front of you. As a keepsake, collect autographs as the pilots and crew meet the audience throughout the day!

Meet the Pilots
You have an incredible opportunity to meet the Pilots!

(Picture here, LearnToFly.ca Editor Geoff McKay meets Canadian Harvard Pilot Edward Peter Soye) 

The Tuesday evening (August 30) before the big air show, guests have the awesome and unique opportunity to dine with the pilots and crew of the Aircraft. This is a special fundraising dinner, and you need to purchase your VIP tickets early. This is always a sell-out, and you don’t want to miss this fantastic event!

VIP Dinner with the Pilots
Date: Tuesday August 30, 2010
Time: 5:15pm
(Pre-Show begins at 5:15 with cocktails, followed by a full Dinner catered by The Sherwood Restaurant)
Cost:  $80 per seat (Reserve a full Table for your guests)
Attire: Summer Cocktail Attire

Flightline
The 2010 Brantford Air Show has an exciting and thrilling line-up of Aircraft, performers and displays. There will be a showcase of Military Aircraft, as well as stunning aerobatic performances, Heritage Warbirds, and many other aviation displays.

Canadian Forces SkyHawks Parachute Team
The SkyHawks are the first parachute demonstration team of Canada. This precision parachute team was established in 1971, and this skilled precision parachute team already has more than 5,000 successful jumps.

The SkyHawks have dazzled more than 75 million spectators throughout the world, and they will be performing for you and your family at the Brantford Charity Air Show this year!

The SkyHawks team has 14 jumpers and the accompanying ground crew. You can look forward to multiple passes of parachutists exiting the aircraft from 6,000 feet above ground level. As the expert parachutists free-fall to earth, they will be using trailing smoke canisters so you can easily spot them in the air.

The jumpers will deploy their main parachutes between 5,000 and 3,000 feet above the ground. Once the jumpers are floating above you, they will perform daring canopy formations on their way to the ground. They will finish up by precisely landing at designated targets on the ground.

Air Show Performers:

• Canadian Navy Marine 100 (Centennial: 1910 – 2010)
• Rob Holland Ultimate Air Shows
• Canadian Forces SkyHawks Parachute Team
• Canada’s Air Force (DND)
• Canadian Forces Snowbirds
• Canadian Warplane Heritage
• Rick Volker piloting the Russell Raiders Spitfire Mk IX

Brantford Charity Air Show

Show Date
Wednesday September 1, 2010

Show Times
Gates Open at 11:00 am
Opening Ceremony at 3:15 pm

Show Location
Brantford Municipal Airport

Admission
Free – but Donations to Charity welcome at the gate

For More Details, please Contact the Rotary Brantford Charity Air Show 2010:

Telephone: 519-753-4317

Website: www.BrantfordAirShow.com

See you at the Brantford Air Show!

Related Articles:

1. Brantford Air Show 2010
2. Waterloo Air Show 2011
3. North American T-28 Trojan