Round Canopy Parachuting Team - USA

10/10/2026

Spending the weekend at Apple Valley Air Show and would love for you to come visit us and the C-53 D-Day Doll

10/08/2026

Love to see this!

DZO SPOTLIGHT: Art Shaffer, Skydive Palatka
Pictured: Art Shaffer (center).

On his sixth skydive, both of Art Shaffer's parachutes became entangled. He survived, and he made a promise that day: if given another chance, he would give more to the sport than he took from it.

Four decades and more than 19,750 jumps later, he is still keeping that promise.

Art made his first jump in 1985 in Williston, Florida. By 1992 he had flown in a 200-way world record formation. He was part of Skydive Palatka from its opening in 1995 and became its owner in 2005, building a drop zone he describes simply as a family.

More than 12,000 of his jumps have been tandems, each one an introduction to the sport. He also serves as lead rigger for the Round Canopy Parachute Team-USA, the Palatka-based team that supports veterans through skydiving. In 2019 he jumped into Normandy, France, for the 75th anniversary of D-Day.

This month, Art is featured in Parachutist magazine's October 2026 profile. The full piece covers the mentors who shaped him, the jump that stands above all the others, and the chance encounter in a grocery store that he counts as his most significant achievement.

Read the full profile at the link in the comments. ⬇️

10/01/2026

Congratulations Art Shaffer!

Some people make a difference, and others dedicate their lives to making a lasting impact. Art is one of those extraordinary individuals.

Art, your unwavering commitment to RCPT, your generosity, and your willingness to give so much of your life, livelihood, talents, and treasure have helped make RCPT what it is today. Your passion, hard work, and dedication have touched countless lives and helped preserve the traditions, history, and spirit of airborne service.

What you have given goes far beyond time and resources. It is a legacy built on friendship, service, and a genuine love for what RCPT represents.

On behalf of all of us, thank you for everything you have done and continue to do. We are incredibly fortunate to have you as part of our family, and RCPT would not be what it is today without you.

Congratulations, our friend. You have certainly earned this recognition. More than just a jump!

Nearly 42 years ago, Art Shaffer made his sixth skydive. Both parachutes wrapped up, and he came closer to death than he cares to imagine. He made a deal with God that day: If he was given another chance, he would try to give more than he received. Four decades and more than 19,750 jumps later, Shaf...

09/26/2026

Congratulations to our teammates at RCPT in France on a successful jump at the magnificent Mont-Saint-Michel!

Rising above the Normandy coast, Mont-Saint-Michel and its centuries-old abbey dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel provided an extraordinary setting for this commemorative jump. Saint Michael holds a special place in airborne tradition as the patron saint of paratroopers, making this a particularly meaningful location.

Most meaningful to us at RCPT-USA, our friends in France dedicated this jump to the memory of Bill Markham, former President of RCPT-USA. Bill devoted so much of himself to building RCPT and strengthening the friendships that bind our international RCPT family together. Seeing his memory honored by our teammates in Europe, in such a special place, means more than we can adequately express.

A special thank you and congratulations to Hubert and Dominique for their tremendous work organizing this event and for remembering our friend and teammate in such a fitting way.

Across countries, across generations, and across drop zones, we share the same purpose: keeping history alive, honoring those who came before us, and preserving the bonds of friendship created along the way.

This truly is More Than Just a Jump.

09/24/2026

A handshake 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼 or a flower 🌻 … which are you hoping for on the DZ? 😆

09/23/2026

Major thank you to Jump Masters Sandro Plüss (Switzerland) and Frank Cashman (USA), safety Franck Mathieu (France), loadmaster aboard the C-47 Pegasus Barrie Podger (UK), and host as well as RCPT NL President Erwin Janssen for safely navigating us through another successful jump operation to honor the WWII paratroopers. We had an excellent week and “thank you” is not enough. (Bonus picture at the end)

09/20/2026

Between September 1944 and May 1945, approximately 13,000 allied Soldiers died on Dutch soil while fighting for the liberation of the Netherlands. Veterans of the 101st Airborne Division support the only US-sponsored veteran monument here in the Netherlands and members of RCPT-NL and RCPT USA, including our President and Vice President, were grateful to honor the memory of those who found their final resting place here 82 years ago.

RCPT-NL 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Round Canopy Parachuting Team Suisse

09/19/2026

The winds in the Netherlands were too high to jump today but that didn’t stop the commemoration and parade of vehicles through Eerde.

09/18/2026

On September 17, 1944, thousands of American paratroopers alongside British and Polish paratroopers, took to the skies over the Netherlands as part of Operation Market Garden. From the 101st and 82nd Airborne Divisions to the pathfinders and glider troops, they fought through fierce resistance with courage, determination, and a commitment to the mission.

Their sacrifice helped write one of the most remarkable chapters in the history of the American airborne.

We remember those who jumped before us. We honor their courage. And we keep their legacy alive. 🇺🇸🪂