In September 2025, whilst attending the Joint Base Andrews airshow, I was allowed to join the US Army Golden Knights as they gave their performance on the Sunday morning.
No, I didn’t actually jump!!
I did, however, get to meet the team and fly with them, along with the US Naval Academy Parachute Display Team, who were also participating in the airshow and were ‘hitching a ride’ on the Golden Knights aircraft.
Also participating was Aaron Deliu, a world champion aerobatic display pilot, who would be flying alongside the Golden Knights in his Extra 330SC aircraft.
The US Army Golden Knights is the official display team for the US Army, whilst the US Naval Academy team are USNA attendees who pay their own way – effectively a parachute club within the Academy. They were delighted to have been invited to perform at this year’s airchow and very pleased that they didn’t have to pay for this set of jumps!!
Each team would perform 2 sets of jumps on each day of the show, so 6 in total – I was offered a ride on the Sunday morning jump.
As you would expect, preparation is key to a safe display, and along with 5 other guests, we were taken out to meet the teams and watch the pre-flight planning and walkthroughs.
The Golden Knights have a variety of jump aircraft available, depending on the type of jump and the number of participants. For the Andrews show, they were using a De Havilland Canada Dash 8.
Before every flight, the teams go through a detailed briefing process, including rehearsing various manoeuvres.
After watching the team briefing, we were invited to find our seats on the aircraft, near the jump door. We were briefed about safety procedures and signed the obligatory waivers. The crew chief took particular pains to point out that if we fall out, then there is no catching us – the scenes you see in James Bond movies will not happen!!
Pretty soon, we started up and taxied out. Aaron Deliu closely followed us in his Extra 330C – he was part of the performance, which I’ll cover a little later.
We took off, with Aaron in very close attendance, and climbed to the standard jump altitude of 12,500 feet, circling over Joint Base Andrews whilst the jumpmasters checked the wind speed and direction.
Even at this stage, the Golden Knights were still visualising their jump.
Aaron held close formation with the main aircraft, giving us a great view.
After a good number of orbits, everyone was happy that they could proceed, and the first three jumpers from the Golden Knights stepped up to the door.
At the signal from the jumpmaster, they stepped out and disappeared in our wake.
Aaron had slid away from close formation to give them space, but soon started to circle them as they initially free-fell and then opened their parachutes to carry out a precise landing at the aiming point on the ground.
We continued circling for a while until the initial team were safely on the ground. Then the remaining 5 members of the team exited the aircraft to perform their routine whilst we continued our orbit of the airfield.
With a quick wave, they too stepped out into the slipstream and were whisked out of sight.
It’s really quite surreal to watch people take a step out of a door and, in a flash, disappear!!
All the while, the US Naval Academy team were sitting patiently awaiting their turn. After about 15 minutes of continued circling and more checks on the wind conditions, they were finally ready to jump.
The pilots quickly descended the aircraft to land back at JBA, and we taxied to end an experience that I’ll never forget. My only regret is that I wish I had prepared my video settings beforehand for the actual exit of the aircraft by the jumpers – maybe next time!!
