Golden Knights Aircraft

In December of 1985, the U.S. Army Parachute Team, the Golden Knights, leased two F-27 Friendship aircraft from the Dutch aeronautical firm, Fokker.

The two planes were to replace the team's aging YC-7A Caribou ?eet which had served the Knight's airlift needs for more than 10 years. A Short time later the Army purchased the two aircraft from Fokker and redesignated them as the C-31A "Friendship."

The two planes are primarily used to provide the Golden Knights with safe and economical travel to more than 300 different demonstration sites annually. While at these sites, the C-31A serves as the team's jump platform. They carry the men and women of the Golden Knights to altitudes as high as 2 1/2 miles above the show site where they begin performing their trademark precision free fall maneuvers and formations.

During many of the Golden Knight's shows, once the jumpers have exited the C-31A, it will descend and perform a low altitude, high-speed fly-by demonstrating the maneuverability and versatility of the aircraft.

The two C-31A "Friendship" aircraft of the Golden Knights are the largest fixed wing airplanes currently operating in the U.S. Army inventory.

C-31A "Friendship" (Fokker F-27) Specifications

Power plant: 2 Rolls Royce Dart 7 Engines
Speed: 300 M.P.H.
Length: 77 feet
Height: 28 feet
Wingspan: 95 feet
Wing Area: 754 square feet
Crew: 3
Range: 1,500
Maximum payload: 12,000 lbs
Maximum takeoff weight: 45,00 lbs
Ceiling: 25,000 feet
Payload Capabilities: 56 infantry troops, 50 fully loaded paratroopers or 24 litter

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