Round Canopy Parachuting Team-usa Foundation Inc

What Round Canopy Parachuting Team-usa Foundation Inc does

Round Canopy Parachuting Team-USA Foundation Inc is a Florida-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that conducts round canopy parachute demonstrations, commemorative jumps, and training using authentic period equipment. Its core technical assets include Soviet-era SF-10A and MC1-1C/D main parachutes, MIRPS Reserve systems, and a C-47 aircraft, all operated from Kay Larkin Field in Palatka, Florida. The foundation serves the historical/heritage aviation community, event organizers, veterans, and educational audiences through commemorative drops (e.g., D-Day 75th, Operation Market Garden), accuracy competitions, and planned STEM programming.

The organization is operated entirely by volunteers, with leadership, jumpers, FAA-rated pilots, and riggers drawn from the certified round canopy parachuting community. It produces no commercial software or hardware products; its technical value lies in equipment certification, jump-master expertise, and the curation of authentic historical artifacts and aircraft. Capital requirements are driven by aircraft maintenance, parachute re-certification, insurance, and travel for commemorative events.

The business model is a nonprofit funding stack: tax-deductible donations, event appearance fees, merchandise sales (parachute-themed apparel, challenge coins, prints), and small grants. The foundation has launched a $1.5M capital campaign that has collected only a fraction of its goal to date, while winning charitable recognition such as the 2024 GreatNonprofits Top-Rated Award. Growth is intentionally mission-bounded rather than commercially scaled.

Name

Round Canopy Parachuting Team-usa Foundation Inc

Legal name

Round Canopy Parachuting Team - USA Foundation Inc

Website

https://rcptusa.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Round Canopy Parachuting Team-USA Foundation Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that performs vintage round canopy parachute demonstrations, commemorative jumps, and training using heritage equipment and a C-47 aircraft, serving veterans, event organizers, and the heritage aviation community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Parachuting Training and Demonstration Services

NAICS

Flight Training (611512)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Skydiving Experiences (Tandem, AFF, Scenic Jumps) (THAAAMAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Skydiving Centers & Drop Zones (Tandem, AFF Training) (THAAAKAB), Extreme Sports Training, Certification & Coaching (Skydiving/Bungee Safety Courses) (THAAAMAJ)

Keywords

• Round canopy parachuting
• Parachute training
• Commemorative jump demonstrations
• Static line jumping
• Airshow parachute displays

Headquarters

HQ city

Palatka

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Others, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations: Tax-deductible donations from individuals and corporations to support operating costs, insurance, equipment, and training. EIN 30-0774408.
2. Event Registration Fees: Registration fees for training courses (BPC $375-$450, EAR $175-$300), jump events ($50-$150 per jump), and airshow demonstrations. Includes straphanger opportunities, JM refresher courses, and proficiency events.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of RCPT-USA branded merchandise including t-shirts (men's, women's, kids) and gear. Subject to 7% sales tax in Florida.
4. Equipment Rental: Parachute rental for European commemorative events: $300 fee plus $2,500-$5,000 refundable deposit depending on tier. Domestic event rentals at $50 for multi-day events.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

RCPT-USA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that conducts historically accurate round canopy static-line parachute demonstrations at airshows, military commemorations, and historical reenactments (including D-Day and Operation Market Garden anniversaries). The organization provides standardized parachute training courses (Basic Parachuting Course, Extended Airborne Refresher, Jumpmaster Refresher) using SF-10A and MC1-1C military-grade systems, alongside merchandise sales and parachute rental programs for European commemorative operations.

Product overview

RCPT-USA is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that performs commemorative round canopy static line parachute demonstrations to honor Allied paratroopers from WWII onward. The organization's offerings center on its core product of historical parachute demonstrations at airshows, memorials, and commemorative events, supported by a comprehensive suite of training programs including the Basic Parachuting Course (BPC), Extended Airborne Refresher (EAR), Basic Airborne Refresher (BAR), and Jumpmaster Refresher courses. Additional offerings include merchandise through RCPT-USA GEAR, a parachute rental program for European commemorative operations, and specialized SF-10A refresher training. The organization operates primarily from Kay Larkin Field at Skydive Palatka, Florida, and conducts events across the US with international partnerships for European commemorative operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Basic Parachuting Course (BPC)
• Extended Airborne Refresher (EAR)
• Basic Airborne Refresher (BAR)
• Jumpmaster Refresher (JMR)
• SF-10A Refresher Course
• Round Canopy Static Line Parachute Demonstrations
• Parachute Rental Program
• RCPT-USA Gear Merchandise
• Commemorative Jump Events

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 400 past events including major commemorations like 75th D-Day Anniversary (2019) and 80th D-Day commemorations
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Skydive PalatkacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary drop zone partner providing facilities at Kay Larkin Field for training events, equipment storage, and domestic jump operations. Art Shaffer serves as owner of Skydive Palatka.
• Valiant Air CommandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides access to vintage WWII aircraft including C-47 'Tico Belle' for commemorative jump operations.
• PL Tunison Foundation (Placid Lassie)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides access to historic C-47 'Placid Lassie' aircraft for commemorative jump events.
• American Freedom FoundationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerVeterans support organization listed as a sponsor and friend of RCPT-USA.
• Friends of Army AviationminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAviation support organization listed as a sponsor and friend of RCPT-USA.
• European RCPT ChapterscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational partner chapters in Normandy and Netherlands that coordinate European commemorative operations including D-Day and Operation Market Garden anniversary jumps.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• United States Parachute Association (USPA): The national governing body for sport parachuting in the United States, setting safety standards, training curricula, and rating structures that RCPT-USA's BPC, EAR, BAR, and JMR programs operate within. Provides the broader industry context for parachute training and demonstration operations.
• Commemorative Air Force: Larger, established military aviation heritage organization that restores and flies vintage WWII warbirds including C-47s. Operates in the same military aviation heritage space as RCPT-USA but at vastly greater scale, providing the broader ecosystem of restored aircraft and airshow participation.

Others

• National Warplane Museum: Western New York-based WWII aircraft museum hosting the Geneseo Airshow where RCPT-USA performs annual demonstration jumps. Operates in the same military aviation heritage space and serves as both event host and partner in preserving WWII airborne history.
• Valiant Air Command: Florida-based vintage military aircraft organization and core strategic partner that provides RCPT-USA access to C-47 'Tico Belle' for commemorative jump operations. Shares the WWII aviation preservation mission and hosts events where RCPT-USA performs demonstrations.
• Skydive Palatka: Primary drop zone partner operating at Kay Larkin Field in Palatka, Florida. Functions as the host venue for RCPT-USA's domestic training, equipment storage, and jump operations, and is owned by Art Shaffer who also serves as RCPT-USA's Lead Rigger.
• Friends of Army Aviation: Aviation heritage organization listed as a sponsor and friend of RCPT-USA. Shares the mission of preserving US Army aviation history and provides partnership support for commemorative airborne activities.
• American Freedom Foundation: Veterans support organization listed as a sponsor and friend of RCPT-USA. Operates adjacent to RCPT-USA in the veteran community engagement and military heritage space, with overlapping beneficiary demographics of active-duty service members, veterans, and their families.

Direct peers

• Round Canopy Parachuting Team International (European Chapters): The parent European RCPT organization with chapters in Normandy, France and the Netherlands that coordinate D-Day and Market Garden commemorative jumps. RCPT-USA explicitly operates as the US chapter in mutual partnership with these chapters, sharing mission, equipment standards, and event calendar.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/round-canopy-parachuting-team-usa-foundation-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

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