RAF

[bricro]

What planes is the RAF using to train paratroopers

[boxtops]

what, to parachute?

[Skids]

Generally the Hercules but they can also use Globemaster III, Puma, Chinook or Merlin.

[sherrardk]

We live by a 'particular' army base and they just chuck them out of a civil helicopter most of the time. (They reserve the proper noisy ones for nighttime exercises.)

[Philtaz]

They also use balloons with a large gondola underneath, which looks a far scarier jump than from any aircraft!

[rojash]

Paratroopers are part of the army, not the RAF

[bricro]

Thank you everyone. Does the army have its own planes?

[jackthehat]

http://www.army.mod.uk/aviation/air.aspx

[Ankou]

i would guess so

http://www.army.mod.u...aircraft/default.aspx

[The-HouseHusband]

First jumps are from a tethered balloon on a fixed line, then they move onto light aircraft, mostly the islander series before moving onto the Hercules doing both side door and rear ramp fixed line jumps.

As others have said it is the Army that trains Para's, the RAF fly the planes for them to jump from.

Helicopter jumps are only carried out by specialist's as it takes a lot of training due to the extra complications caused by the Rotor downwash.

Also para's are only trained for fixed line jumps from standard altitude, special forces are trained in free fall and HALO (HIGH ALTITUDE LOW OPENING) Jumps

[captken]

c-130s, chinook, generally most hichopter