Demonstrators Take Brand New Canopy on First Flight

Members of Black Team, joined by some Gold Team jumpers, took the Golden Knights’ newest canopy out for the maiden voyage today over the green fields of Laurinburg, NC today. Black Team assistant team leader SSG Brandon Valle flew the new canopy, while SSG Howard Sanborn and SGT Dan Cook and SGT Chris Clark (both of Gold Team) completed the two and three-way canopy formations. SSG Aaron Figel and SGT Rachel Medley took aerial photos of the formations while flying around under smaller canopies.

The new parachute, which sports a large Army Star logo on the underside, is a modern twist on the traditional black and gold canopies flown by the demonstrators. In an effort to modernize the canopy graphic design, the team not only added the logo, but also lined the canopy with all black suspension lines, giving the canopy a sleek look.

The army Star logo is universally recognized by people all over the United States. It is seen on Soldiers’ uniforms, on Army vehicles, Army recruiting material and in all Army commercials on television and on the internet. It is often seen hand in hand with the Army’s motto, “ARMY STRONG.”

The canopy will be flown at air shows, sports arenas, and recruiting events all over the country by both demonstration teams.

Story and pictures by SGT Rachel Medley

Photos:
1. SSG Brandon Valle, SGT Dan Cook, and SGT Chris Clark in a three-way downplane
2. The three jumpers are connected with special safety straps to complete this formation, called a “Tri-By-Side”
3. Three-way downplane with smoke on
4. SSG Howard Sanborn (lower jumper) and SSG Brandon Valle in a two-stack
5. As SSG Valle and SSG Sanborn fly their two-stack, SGT Dan Cook and SGT Brandie Phillips turn a downplane in the background
6. Two-stack with a downplane
7. SSG Valle and SSG Sanborn on their base leg, getting ready to land
8. SSG Sanborn brings the two-stack in to land, as SSG Valle (bottom jumper) prepares to call, “ready, break” just prior to landing