Video credit: The Airborne Warrior Collection

Even the most sedate military static line parachute experience is still an emotional affair. Your rucksack, webbing and weapon, are strapped together into what’s known as ‘the container’, which weighs in at 100 to 120lbs. With a 70lb parachute strapped to your back and a 35lb reserve parachute on your chest, you stand up, pick up the container, and attach it to your harness. Finally you connect the static line of the parachute bag to the wire above your head, which runs down the aircraft towards the Para door.

It is monumentally difficult to shuffle down the aircraft to the open door, but adrenaline gives you the almost super-human strength required to stay upright with the additional 235lbs (106kgs). At the door it’s impossible to turn and jump out due to the weight, so two RAF parachute jump instructors assist you. One arrests your speed so you don’t run past the door, and the other pushes hard to get you out. If you manage to kick out of the twists on the way down it’s just the bone-crunching landing to accept and, with luck, no injuries.