Policy

CAF Parachute Team Accepting Nominations

Mishall Rehman August 17, 2023

0 2 minutes read

Have you ever dreamt of flying sky-high, performing aerial stunts and dazzling a crowd for a living? If so, the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team (CAFPT) is the place for you.

The CAFPT, much more commonly known as the Skyhawks, is currently accepting nominations for annual augmentation to the 2024 team.

Master Sailor Bree Abbott of the Canadian Armed Forces parachute team, the SkyHawks, talks to spectators while packing her parachute at the Royal Canadian Air Force Museum: To the Limit show, in Quinte West, Ontario, June 13, 2023. Photo: Cpl Nédia Coutinho, Canadian Armed Forces Photo.

Nominations Open

“Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team (CAFPT), the Skyhawks, perform demonstration parachute jumps, throughout Canada and internationally in front of more than two million people annually. As CAF ambassadors, team members perform a vital outreach role while connecting with audiences,” stated CANFORGEN 090/23 announcing the nominations.

Nominations are open for all Regular and Reserve personnel from elements, trades and classifications.

Warrant Officer Eric Demers, a member of the Canadian Armed Forces parachute team, the SkyHawks, buckles a parachute on a cadet during a SkyHawks presentation in the gym of 22 Wing North Bay, in North Bay, Ontario, on 6 June 2023. Photo: MCpl Nedia Coutinho, Canadian Armed Forces

Qualifications for the Job

To qualify to be a member of the dazzling Skyhawks team, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members must meet the following criteria, according to the CANFORGEN:

Members must be trade qualified;
Members must be qualified MIL Freefall PARA (AIDA) or hold a Certificate of Proficiency (COP) awarded by the CSPA or USPA and recommend having a minimum of 50 free-fall jumps;
Members must complete the parachutist fitness test upon arrival at the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare.

The test consists of 7 chin-ups, 31 consecutive sit-ups and a 1.6 kilometre run in seven minutes and 30 seconds.

Captain Joakim Pare, a member of the Canadian Armed Forces parachute team, the SkyHawks, demonstrates how a parachute works in the gym of 22 Wing North Bay, in North Bay, Ontario, on 6 June 2023. Photo: MCpl Nedia Coutinho, Canadian Armed Forces.

Standard Must Be Maintained

Additionally, a certain standard must be maintained by all those wishing to be a Skyhawk.

“Team selection places great emphasis on achieving a team composition that is diverse and inclusive representation of the CAF. Each applicant must be recommended by their commanding officer who must be satisfied that the member’s character and personal conduct are of the standard required to be an outstanding representative of the CAF,” stated the CANFORGEN.

Those wishing to apply must send certain documents to the Skyhawks. A detailed list of these documents can be found in CANFORGEN 090/23 or by reaching out to the Skyhawks.

Sergeant Simon Haight, member of the Canadian Armed Forces parachute team, the SkyHawks, participates in a show at the Royal Canadian Air Force Museum: To the Limit, in Quinte West, Ontario, June 13, 2023. Photo: Cpl Nédia Coutinho, Canadian Armed Forces Photo.

Selection Process

Those whose applications have been accepted will stay at CAAWC in Trenton, ON, during the ground training period and conduct main training camp in the spring.

Members who are ultimately chosen for the 2024 season will remain with the team until the end of the season, which typically falls around September.

For more information, contact the Skyhawks at CSN 827-2049 or email here.