Headcorn Airfield has had an active Display Team for over 30 years. The team is made up of experienced jumpers and staff, who are qualified to carry out displays and ready to drop into events throughout Kent and occasionally further afield.

The Headcorn Display team is governed by the British Parachute Association, who set out the skills and experience required in order to be part of a parachute display team in the UK (see BPA Operations manual: Section 13 Display Parachuting).

Although the team makes these jumps look easy, each team member has successfully completed a rigorous training programme at the beginning of the season before being signed off to take part in live displays. 

Booking a display

Our Display Team has entertained crowds at many special events, from air shows and sporting events to school fetes and weddings.

The displays

The team arrives onboard our display aircraft, a Britten Norman Islander. At around 2,000 ft the Jump Master drops a ‘wind drift indicator’ from the aircraft to check the strength and direction of the wind. Having got the crowd’s attention, the aircraft climbs to between 1,500 ft and 5,500 ft. Once at the appropriate altitude the team begins to exit the aircraft, one-by-one or in groups. The crowd watches as they freefall for about 10 seconds; a breathtaking sight, which can be enhanced by trails of coloured smoke.

Once under canopy the parachutists deploy their streamers ready for a spectacular display of skill and judgment. They work with the wind conditions, using their skill to fly highly manoeuvrable ram-air type canopies as part of a ‘stack,’ and then spiral down to land on a target set out in the arena.

Once safely on the ground the team turn their attentionto packing ready to go and do it all again! Now the spectators have a chance to observe packing techniques, talk to the team, ask questions and sometimes to help.


                          
The Team

Our 2011 team has 8 members

Jane Buckle (Team Leader since 1982) has over 7800 jumps. Jane is the Managing director of Skydive Headcorn and a British Parachute Association Advanced and Accelerated Freefall Instructor.

Peter Sizer has over 6,500 jumps. Peter has been the Chief Instructor since 1998. He is one of our most experienced instructors and is an Advanced Rigger.

Pierre Pascal has over 1,500 jumps. he has a background in pharmaceuticals and is retrainng to become a teacher. He is one of our experienced jumpers.

Del Hopkins has over 1,700 jumps. He is a full-time Instructor at Skydive Headcorn.

Tony Kirk Burgess has over 1,200 jumps. Tony is Director of Studies at Kent College and one of our Static Line Instructors.

Dennis McTaggaert has over 600 jumps. Dennis is a bricklayer by trade; he also works on the London Underground. He is an experienced jumper and part of a canopy formation team.

Mary Barratt has over 400 jumps. Mary is a freelance academic. She works one day a week in the club office and is part of a canopy formation team.

Mark Smith has over 300 jumps. He is a lorry driver and another of our experienced jumps.

Booking a display

Skydive Headcorn can carry out parachute displays at any location provided it is safe to do so and so long as the regulations set out by the British Parachute Association are met. (See BPA Operatios Manual: Section 13 Display Parachuting)

The cost of a display varies, it is determined by factors such as where the event is located, how many parachutists are required and whether you require them to jump with smoke (streamers are included free of charge).

We are happy to answer any questions you may have, or to discuss your booking requirements. As each display requires considerable organisation prior to the event, we advise you to contact us at least 3 months before your planned event.

Tel: 01622 xxxxxx   Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it