The SkyHawks were a thrill to see at this year’s Fortissimo on Parliament Hill. As he approaches Parliament Hill this jumper displays the Canadian Forces Ensign, a flag which features both the Forces symbol and the Canadian maple leaf flag. Above him, the SkyHawks’ Short SC.7 Skyvan airplane is present.

—-

“The Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, The SkyHawks, is Canada’s only military parachute demonstration team. For over 40 years, we have represented Canada and the Canadian Armed Forces to over 75 million spectators worldwide under our signature Canadian flag parachutes.

Bringing our parachutes in close proximity to build formations in the sky, the team puts on a spectacular show. Performing these aerobatic parachute formations requires a high level of skill and courage; and is known as Canopy Relative Work.

Supported by the Canadian Army, the SkyHawks are based out of Trenton, Ontario, at the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre. There, they train alongside soldiers who help defend our territory and sovereignty through a wide variety of domestic and overseas missions. From both Regular and Reserve Forces, the team members are from various occupations of the Army, Navy, and Air Force and bring a wide range of experience to their performances.” (1)

The SkyHawks use a leased Short SC.7 Skyvan aircraft as their primary jump platform. “The Short SC.7 Skyvan (nicknamed the "Flying Shoebox") is a British 19-seat twin-turboprop aircraft manufactured by Short Brothers of Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is used mainly for short-haul freight and skydiving.”(2)

Sources: (1) <a href="http://www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/skyhawks/index.page" rel="noreferrer nofollow">www.army-armee.forces.gc.ca/en/skyhawks/index.page</a>