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Round Canopy parachuting team - usa

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Operation Black Cat IX 2025

  • 27 Oct 2025
  • 2 Nov 2025
  • Kay Larkin Field
  • 82 registrants

Registration

(depends on selected options)

Base fee:
  • Event Registration Fee includes closing dinner at the hanger on Saturday, t-shirt, and support for additional logistics for event. Jump Opportunities: We will have several round jumps daily Friday through Sunday as conditions permit. Primary Aircraft jumps will be $60.00 per jump, students have priority on cessna. Chute rental is $50 for the entire event and repacks are $30 each. If you own your own parachute and plan on making multiple jumps a day, you are strongly encouraged to rent a second parachute to prevent delays due to packing.
  • Arrive NLT 0730 Tuesday ready to train with all documentation on hand (Medical if required etc)- Training available to members only, to register candidates must join the team prior to registering for course. This 5-day course teaches the basics of jumping with a static line steerable round parachute. You will be instructed on the use of the SF-10A parachute. Instruction will include equipment familiarization, actions in the aircraft, actions during descent, landing techniques, the basics of round canopy control, and emergency procedures. After completing ground training, you will conduct 3 jumps from a Cessna 182 and 2 jumps from the event special contracted air frame. The course price includes professional instruction, all jump fees, parachute and helmet rental, parachute packing tickets, and lunches during training. After completing the basic parachuting course, you will receive your RCPT-USA wings. Lunches are included on training days for students as well as event registration (see above) for the weekend. No Candidates over 65. All candidates over 55 years old must have an RCPT-USA Medical Clearance Form signed by their physician within the last 6 months prior to training.
  • Arrive NLT 0730 Tuesday ready to train with all documentation on hand (Proof of Training, jump logs, Medical if required etc)- Training available to members only, to register candidates must join the team prior to registering for course. This 2 jump Refresher Course is for jumpers who have been to a Basic Airborne Course and ANY of the following applies:

    1. Have not jumped round static line canopy within the last two years or

    2. Are not experienced with steerable canopies, or

    3. Have not jumped round static line canopy with RCPT or another recognized organization (NATO military, ADT, LJT, X-35, etc.) within the last 5 years.

    This course is also suitable for qualified free fall jumpers wishing to transition to round static line steerable canopies. This 3 day course runs congruently with the BPC and will update the jumper on current SF-10A parachute systems, jump procedures, and prepare them for 2 jumps at the end of the course from a Cessna 182. The course price includes professional instruction, all jump fees, parachute and helmet rental, parachute packing tickets, and lunches during training. At the conclusion of the Extended Airborne Refresher the jumper is current and is free to manifest and jump at the event at the same cost as a strap hanger (jumps/parachute rentals/re-packs paid separately). Lunches are included on training days for students as well as event registration (see above) for the weekend. No Candidates over 65. All candidates over 55 years old must have an RCPT-USA Medical Clearance Form signed by their physician within 6 months of training.
  • We are planning on closing the event 2 Nov 2025 with a water jump into the St John's River. Jumpers must be registered for Operation Black Cat IX in order to participate in the water jump- no walk ons- Cost is $250. Fee includes team parachute and reserve which will need to be washed and dried within 24 hours prior to repacking or risk being unserviceable. All jumpers will be required to bring and wear a USCG approved personal flotation device. Jumpers are responsible to bring their own PFD. ALL jumpers for the deliberate water jump must have completed wet silk training at some point before the jump but does not need to be repeated once completed. RCPT-USA will run the wet silk classes throughout the week, as time, personnel, and resources permit. No combat equipment. No helmets. Jumpers must wear shoes and clothes that are suitable for water activities (swim trunks or shorts), that won't come off, or present a hazard in the aircraft or the air - so no swim fins or flip flops. Recommended jumpers not wear boots. Registration code required for registration for water jump, complete your event registration and then return to registration page and complete water jump registration separately. Registration code will be sent to registered jumpers when the manifest for the water jump is opened.
Register

Operation Black Cat IX

RCPT-USA and Skydive Palatka proudly wish to honor all paratroopers — past, present, and future. This year marks the 75th anniversary of the Korean War, a pivotal conflict often called the “Forgotten War,” but never forgotten by those who served or the families who endured its cost. This gathering brings together veterans, first-responders, patriots, and friends and family to recognize the courage, sacrifice, and resilience shown during this critical chapter of history.

Main Aircraft:  C-47 Tico Belle

Guest Speaker:  TBD

Foreign Jump Wings:  

RCPT-USA is honored to host HONDURAN and PERUVIAN Guest Jumpmasters at OBC IX (Friday & Saturday). The $50 foreign wing registration includes the wings and a certificate worth framing. The registration allows us to cover the transportation & lodging of foreign Jumpmasters. This fee does not include parachute rental, your jump/lift ticket, or event registration. OBC IX event registration is separate and required. Students are not authorized to jump with foreign JMs until the completion of their course and are responsible for all additional jump fees.

Freefall:  There will be freefall opportunities with Skydive Palatka.

Schedule of Event:

  • 27 October 2025 (Monday) – Jumpmaster refresher by invitation only.
  • 28 October 2025 (Tuesday) - BPC and EAR course begins (0730hrs).
  • 31 October - 2 November 2025 (Friday-Sunday) - Open jump operations with C47.
  • 1 November 2025 (Saturday evening) - Dinner and awards ceremony.
  • 2 November 2025 (Sunday morning) - Water jump into the St. John's River.

Online registration for OBC IX will close 19 October 2025 and in-person registration will be available during the event.

Straphangers: 

Are expected to register for the event. The $60 registration fee includes Saturday night dinner and award ceremony at the hangar, event logistics, and a t-shirt. Jump opportunities will be available Friday through Sunday, with multiple round canopy jumps each day. Parachute rental through RCPT-USA is $50 for the entire event, and repacks are $30 each. If you plan to bring your own parachute and make multiple jumps daily, we strongly recommend also renting one to avoid packing delays. Please note that our students have priority, and Straphanger jumps will not begin before noon on Thursday, October 30, 2025.

Jumpmaster Refresher (JMR): 

This is by invitation only and individuals are expected to arrive NLT 0730 Monday, 27 October 2025. There will be no student or straphanger walk-ons authorized Monday.

Basic Parachuting Course (BPC): 

Students must arrive no later than 07:30 on Tuesday, 28 October 2025, ready to train with all required documentation (including medical forms if applicable). This 5-day course provides instruction on round canopy static line parachuting using the SF-10A and MC1-1C parachutes. Training covers equipment familiarization, aircraft procedures, descent and landing techniques, canopy control, and emergency procedures. Students will complete three jumps from a Cessna 182 and two from our special event aircraft. The course fee includes professional instruction, jump fees, parachutes and packing, helmet, and lunches. After five (5) jumps BPC graduates will earn their RCPT-USA wings and become straphangers, with BPC fees covering registration for OBC IX (excluding additional jumps and packing). Dinners down at the drop zone each evening allow you to spend time with new friends and are a big part of what makes RCPT-USA “More Than Just a Jump.”

Extended Airborne Refresher (EAR): 

Students are expected to arrive no later than 07:30 Tuesday, 28 October 2025, ready to train with all required documentation (proof of parachute training, jump logs, and medical forms if required, etc.). The EAR training course is available to members only and you must join the team prior to registering for course. The EAR course is a two (2) jump refresher for jumpers who have already attended a Basic Airborne Course, and the following applies: have not jumped a round static line canopy within the last two years, or, are not experienced with steerable round canopies, or, have not jumped a round static line canopy with RCPT or another recognized organization (NATO military, ADT, LJT, X-35, etc.) within the last 5 years.

The EAR course is also suitable for qualified freefall jumpers wishing to transition to round static line steerable canopies. The EAR course runs concurrently with the BPC and will update the jumper on current SF-10A and MC1-1C parachute systems, jump procedures, and prepares students for two (2) jumps from a Cessna 182. The course price includes professional instruction, all jump fees, parachute and parachute packing tickets, helmet, and lunches during training. At the conclusion of the EAR course you automatically become a straphanger and your EAR course fees cover OBC IX event registration, but not additional jumps and packing.  Dinners down at the drop zone each evening allow you to spend time with new friends and are a big part of what makes RCPT-USA “More Than Just a Jump.”

Basic Airborne Refresher (BAR): 

BAR is offered to already qualified round static line canopy jumpers who are either current military round static line canopy jumpers who need to be trained on the MIRPS-SLCP Reserve, or who have not jumped within 240 days and ALL of the following applies:

  • Have jumped round static line canopy within the last two years, and
  • Are experienced with steerable canopies, and
  • Have jumped with RCPT or another RCPT recognized organization (NATO military, ADT, LJT, X-35, etc.) within the last 5 years.

This brief course updates jumpers on the current SF-10A canopy and jump procedures and the MIRPS-SLCP Reserve to prepare them for jump operations (no jumps are included with BAR). BAR Jumpers are still responsible for the straphanger event fee.

NOTE:  Current round static line canopy jumpers do not need to join the team in order to be Straphangers at an RCPT-USA event, however, anybody desiring to attend the BPC or EAR courses must join prior to attendance. Please join the team prior to attempting to register for a course. You must pay for the event at time of registration or your registration will be cancelled after 15 minutes.  In order to guarantee your slot in a course you must pay the registration fee. If the course you need is full, please register on the waitlist; if someone drops out and cannot attend we will add new registrants from the waitlist.

LOGISTICS:

There are multiple lodging options in Palatka, Florida. Camping is authorized at the Skydive Palatka drop zone (DZ) and there is space for tents and RVs for $5.00 nightly fee. Lodging options also include the Holiday Inn Express Palatka, PH# (386) 325-2500 (if available ask for the skydiver discount); the Hampton Inn (by Hilton), PH# (386) 530-2420; the Best Western, PH# (386) 325-7800; the Quality Inn and Suites, PH# (386) 328-3481; Crystal Cove Resort, PH# (386) 325-1055; and options from VRBO/Airbnb include houses around Palatka at great prices for the week. If we do not list a hotel, our members have determined that hotel is not recommended for lodging.

Arrivals:  the nearest airports are Gainesville (GNV) and Jacksonville (JAX). Let us know your flight plans, so we can help link up travelers for car-pooling to and from the airport.

Homework:  If you are interested in looking over RCPT-USA documents and SOPs they can be found on the website in the Member Documents area https://rcptusa.org/members.

Clothing or Uniform:  Any style military field uniform is appropriate for jumping with RCPT-USA. But you must wear long sleeves, full-length pants, and over the ankle boots while training and jumping. Participants typically wear service specific ACU/OCP/BDU uniforms, WWII style M42/M43 uniforms, and flight suits. Suitable helmets include the Pro-Tec, Crye, Ops-Core FAST (ballistic and bump), Team Wendy, PT Alpha/Bravo; RCPT has a limited number of helmets for use. Airsoft helmets and magnetic chin-straps are not suitable for parachuting.

ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST COMPLETE THE RCPT-USA AND SKYDIVE PALATKA JUMPER PARTICIPATION WAIVER and EQUIPMENT USE POLICY.  A LINK WILL BE IN YOUR CONFIRMATION EMAIL ONCE YOU REGISTSTER.  FOLLOW THE LINK, READ CAREFULLY, AND COMPLETE.  INCORRECT WAIVERS WILL NEED TO BE REDONE.

RCPT-USA reserves the right to refuse service to any person, Member or Non-Member at any RCPT-USA event.

 

RCPT-USA Sponsors and Friends

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Copyrighted Round Canopy Parachuting Team - USA
RCPT-USA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  rcptusa.org  rcpt.us@gmail.com    

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