Abbotsford, British Columbia, 9-11 August 2024
Report by Peter and Kim Davison
This annual event is unique on the Canadien west coast, just north of the United States border. It attracts a wide cross section of aeronautical subjects, both civilian and military. The airport hosts commercial flights that continue during the flying displays; a rare situation given the wide variety of types demonstrated. This year they celebrated the Centenary of the Royal Canadien Air Force so the large static display included a selection of Air Force types, new and established. it was encouraging to see a large STEM zone promoting the aviation industry to the next generation. Canada is a leading manufacturing nation and the region is a focus for all things maritime with a large number of seaplanes operating along the Pacific coast; primarily from the base at Vancouver harbour which has more movements than many conventional airports.
The star of the flying display was the F-22 Raptor from the Alaskan air base that not only demonstrated extreme manoeuvres but also flew in tandem with a vintage Skyraider, one at near stalling speed and the other near maximum. This close formation thrilled the enormous crowd; one of the few disadvantages of the Abbotsford site is that the display runway runs east-west with the public on the north side; hence, on the gloriously bright day viewing was directly into the sun.
The Skyraider was complimented with more World War Two warbirds from the Erickson collection in Oregon; a P40, P51 Mustang and Wildcat that flew individual and combined air displays with an informed commentary. The highly rated Mustang also inspired the Ford Mustang motor car such was the fame of its performance though, no doubt, the excellent horse of the same name inspired the fighter in the first instance.
Another inspiring combination was a dummy intercept of a ‘rogue’ twin by a Colorado based F-16 Fighting Falcon to demonstrate the QRA, Quick Reaction Alert, capability should an unidentified aircraft stray into restricted airspace. The F-16 demonstration was preceded by a comprehensive series of flypasts by a vintage Lockheed T-33; the experienced pilot making top surface banked flypasts maximising the light from the high overhead sun.
The static display included an interesting mix; Historic biplanes from the Museum of Flight, new helicopters from the military, transports and tankers from both Canada and the USA were visually dominant but beneath and between were a selection of general aviation types, floatplanes and homebuilts; something for every taste and preference.
Naturally the show concluded with the Snowbirds aerobatic team and the colourful CF18 Hornet that had graced the skies in the UK at the Royal International Air Tattoo in mid July. This highly decorated fighter is a gift for photographers; wether this colour scheme lasts beyond this Centenary year remains to be seen.
