A TEAM of parachutists based at RAF Brize Norton launched their new display season at the base – but unfortunately were unable to jump on the day.

Members of the RAF Falcons Parachute Display Team were due to kick off their tour with a spectacular show for visiting schoolchildren and Carterton mayor Lynn Little on Friday.

However, due to poor weather conditions, the group were stuck on the ground – but that didn’t stop the Falcons staying positive and giving their guests a day to remember.

The launch of the new display season marked the beginning of a tour that will include at least 70 displays throughout the UK – including a jump into Buckingham Palace for the very first time.

Flight lieutenant Simon Owen is the new commanding officer of the RAF Falcons this year.

He said: “I am extremely proud to have taken over as commanding officer of the RAF Falcons and am honoured to be working with such a motivated and high performing team.

“We are looking forward to starting the 2017 display season and representing the RAF at events throughout the UK.”

Despite the lack of parachute jumping, the day was not without its memorable moments. A Chinook helicopter landed on the sports pitches, after which the Falcons disembarked and lined up in front of a crowd full of excited supporters. This was shortly followed by a flypast of a C-17 Globemaster.

Primary school children had the opportunity to meet members of the team and have their picture taken with their favourite Falcon. The group also conducted an interactive parachute packing demonstration with the children.

Sgt Paul Smith, who was embarking on his final tour with the Falcons, said he would be sorry to depart from the group.

He said: “The appreciation from the public is great. They’re just in awe of what we do. I also really enjoy the comradery of it and getting to work with the rest of the team."

Group captain Tim Jones, station commander at the base, said: “It’s great to see so many people from the local community, especially the children from the local schools.

"It was a really exciting day. The first day of the RAF Falcons season is a big event for us and we’ve been working all winter towards it.”

People can find out more about the Falcons, their latest news and upcoming displays by visiting raf.mod.uk/falcons. Keep up to date with the team by following them on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.