Golden Knights Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ's
The team is stationed at the “Home of the Airborne”, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Jumping from an airplane is not like any rollercoaster or amusement ride. When you stick your hand out the window of your car while driving down the road you feel the intense force of the wind blowing against you, imagine that but at 120mph. The numbers vary but each individual must have a minimum of 150 jumps to tryout for the team. Currently, members have jump numbers ranging from 250-11, 000 jumps, which varies with their number of years of jumping. It is, however, on the team safety is our number one concern. We take every precaution and use the newest and safest equipment available. There are two types of shows, the mass and a full show. The mass show is when all jumpers exit together and form a geometric formation in the sky. The full show consists of four separate maneuvers, the baton pass, the cutaway, the diamond track and the diamond formation. No, that is an illusion. The videographer that is filming the opening of the parchute is still falling. This gives the illusion that you “go back up”. In the rare event that this happens, there is a reserve parachute which the jumper deploys. Yes there are females on the team which are competititors and demonstrators. Applicants must submit a written application, be Active duty Army, have at least 150 skydives and a flawless military and civilian record. They may then be considered for Assessment and Selection to attend our annual tryout program. The Golden Knights are the Army’s Department of Defense demonstration team. We support Army recruiting efforts and public relations. The vast majority of performances are paid for by the show sponsors, not the Army. The team was formed in 1959 with 13 original members and over the years has grown to what the team is today. Just like you do on the ground. We pride ourselves on landing on target on every jump, its what we do. However, sometimes there are variable weather conditions which prevent us from landing on target. We then choose the safest, alternate landing area. Weather is a important factor in our performance. Low cloud cover means either no jumping or a modified demonstration. Wind conditions also affect our performance, but we continually adjust to the situations and curtail our approach for the softest standup landing. Jumpers will reach speeds of 120mph or higher depending on the maneuver. There is no sensation of falling fast, nor any feelings of a roller coaster or amusement ride. Yes, each jumper will pack his or her own main parachute. The reserve parachutes are packed by a FAA certified parachute rigger. Currently there are 95 members, but this fluctuates. The Golden Knights have 2 different aircraft, the F27 Fokker and the UV-18 Twin Otter. The parachutes have two control lines or brakes. Pull on the left and the parachute turns left. Pull on the right and the parachute turns right. Pull both together and the parachute will stop forward movement. Just like driving a car. Yes the Army still uses round parachutes. Each jumper will have a parachute, helmet, goggles, jumpsuit, boots, altimeter and gloves. The initial tour on the team is 3 years. Some team members remain on the team performing different jobs such as competitors or work in the headquarters sections. Each member has a specific job specialty in the Army. We have members who are medics, infantry, Rangers, Special Forces, communications specialists, administration specialists and many other Army Military occupational specialties. Most members go back to their jobs or elect to leave the Army and some change their jobs. The average number of jumps a team member makes is 600. Each team member is a soldier first. Which means they must maintain peak fitness and pass all the Army physical tests. The smoke comes from smoke canisters attached to the jumper’s leg. These are the same smoke canisters used by the Army for combat operations. After the Team's second successful world championships members of the USAPT gathered together to come up with a nickname, similar to the Air Force and Navy teams. On October 15, 1962 the votes were counted and the USAPT would become, known as the "GOLDEN KNIGHTS". "Knights" Champions of principle and conquest, alluding to the fact that the USAPT had "Conquered the skies". "Golden" Signifying that the team had the reputation of bringing home the Gold medals. The colors of the team BLACK AND GOLD (Also the Army Colors) were taken from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York. Selected members of the team are freefall photographers. These jumpers wear digital video and still cameras mounted onto their helmets. The above questions and answers are provided courtesy of the U.S. Army Golden Knights. - up - |
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