Watch video showing RAF Falcon parachute team drop into Ebor Festival at York Racecourse

The incredible GoPro footage shows how the team fall from their plane onto the ground. The team carry out their death-defying stunts all while painting patterns in the sky with smoke eminating from their backpacks.

RAF Falcons, who are part of Royal Air Force, are already half way through their season having completed 50 displays so far.

Sgt Owen Collins: “I still very much get a thrill going into each display. Jumping into York Races is particularly special as the views are incredible of the city. I’m sure you can see from our footage.

“This is my first year on the team, speaking to the guys who have been Falcons previously they said that this is one of if not the event to be excited about. They weren’t wrong.

“We received such a warm welcome and as we ran up the racecourse. I couldn’t stop smiling as we took the salute to take the final salute in front of the main stand. We can’t wait to come display at this part of the world again next year.”

The footage by team coach Flight Sergeant James Bruce shows the three different descents at York Races (17, 18 and 20 August).

Flight Lieutenant Mike Reeve, Deputy Officer Commanding the RAF Falcons, said: “Each descent ranged in height from 5,000ft which is our ‘high show’ to 2,500ft our ‘low show’. When free falling parachutists can travel as fast as 120mph prior to deploying their parachutes.

“Our highest show consisted of the rehearsed display (collect, criss-cross carousel into a ducks landing) this requires a high amount of skill and concentration.”

The RAF Falcons display serves two main purposes. Primarily as a training tool to develop their canopy handling skills as military parachute jumping instructors, and also the display allows the RAF to showcase some relatively unknown elements of the what they do to the general public.

“And to inspire future generations to join or support the military,” added Flt Lt Reeve.