By Martin Zeilig
Video by 17 Wing Imaging Team
Shouts of amazement from thousands of people mingled with the roar of the nine distinctive CT-114 Tutor CF Snowbirds, 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, at the Manitoba Airshow (August 3-4) at Southport Aerospace Centre Inc. (just outside of Portage la Prairie, 86 km west of Winnipeg).
The white and red painted Snowbirds were flying at about 300 metres, or perhaps even lower, above the crowd at over 500 kilometres per hour.
Their series of stunts took one’s breath away.
“As ambassadors of the Canadian Forces, the Snowbirds demonstrate a high level of skill, professionalism, teamwork, discipline and dedication,” says the Snowbirds website.
“The Snowbirds inspire the pursuit of excellence wherever they go.”
Cathy, a native of Selkirk, Manitoba, called the airshow an “awesome” experience.
“This is my first time at the airshow,” she said to the Voxair reporter, just moments after the Snowbirds flypass.
“It’s really good. I really enjoyed the Snowbirds.”
But, the world famous Snowbirds weren’t the only spectacular attraction at the airshow.
The CF-18 Demonstration Team; the Canadian Forces SkyHawks; the Avro Lancaster; Dan Reeves Airshows; SRC Airshows; Northern Stars Aeroteam; Jim Hrymack Airshows; and, Luke Penner Aerobatics were also featured.
Dan Reeves, the only Manitoba airshow pilot certified by ICAS (International Council of Air Shows), holds an Airline Transport Pilot Licence and has accumulated over 13,000 + accident free hours gained over 50 years of Commercial flying. He enthralled the crowd with a high-energy display in his Yak-55M, characterized by loud "Rock and Roll" maneuvers and dynamic twists.
The CF-18 Hornet is, noted the advance publicity, “a multipurpose, high-performance twin-engine fighter that can handle both air-to-air and air-to-ground combat” that entered into Canadian service in 1982.
This versatile aircraft demonstrated its speed, power and agility during its aerobatic performance. It wowed the crowd.
At one point, both the Lancaster bomber, which is based at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum in Hamilton, Ontario, and the CF-18 Hornet flew together—wing tips just a few metres apart. Then, the fighter jet shot straight up several thousand feet into the puffy white clouds, while the Lancaster continued on its much slower circular route around the field.
Images by Éliane Papillon Chagnon
This connection of past to present had added historical and emotional significance as Canada has been celebrating the RCAF’s100th anniversary this year.
Captain Caleb Robert, call sign “Tango,” was flying the CF-18 Demo Hornet.
A series of “static displays” included exhibits from the Commonwealth Air Training Plan Museum in Brandon, Manitoba, a full-scale replica of the First World War's legendary Sopwith Camel that has “been lovingly restored right here in Manitoba by Bill Karras,’’ noted a display panel.
The Restoration Hangar featured static displays of three restored aircraft: - CT-134 Musketeer; Boeing PT-17 Stearman; Beechcraft CT-128 Expeditor. Civil Air Search and Rescue Association.
The Civil Air Search and Rescue Association, a civilian, volunteer, non-profit association, also had an exhibit set up the grounds.
A modular tent with a display from 435 “Transport & Rescue” Squadron attracted at least two thousand people on the first day, noted Cpl Légaré, who works at the squadron, which is based out of 16 Hangar at 17 Wing.
“We have a kiosk from our squadron to demonstrate the capability of our unit,” he said as the airshow drew to a close late in the afternoon on that first day.
“We did bring the SAR section (Search and Rescue), so we can show to visitors their equipment, what they do, and the public could try on the equipment. We also had the EOD (Explosive Ordinance Division) with their wheeled robot and what they do with explosives and what they do day-to-day.”
Aviator Stephan Schulik and Aviator Ethan Lundy, both of whom work in the SAR shop, were with the rib boat and some of the other SAR equipment on display just outside the tent.
“I thought the airshow was great,” Av Schulik said.
“The weather was good. There were lots of people. The Snowbirds and CF-18 Hornet were awesome. The three biplanes was probably one of the coolest ones, though. The rocket car was surprising and super cool too.”
Added Av Lundy: “Lots of people were interested in our equipment and what we do. The best part for me was the CF-18 demonstration.”
Photos by 17 Wing Imaging Team
Aviator Dustin Hein, who works at 17 MSS, called the airshow a huge hit.
“The aerial acrobatics is phenomenal,” he said.
“There are lots of good people. It’s a ton of fun.”
He also mentioned that about 20 personnel from 17 Wing and CFB Shilo were in attendance doing security and staffing exhibits.
Don and Gwen Brugger, a retired couple from Portage la Prairie, were both delighted by what they had just witnessed at the airshow.
“It was great,” Mr. Brugger said, as they were heading back to the parking lot with two folded lawn chairs in hand.
“I really liked the Lancaster. That was the main reason I came. It was all good.”
Gwen Brugger said the airshow was well organized.
“It ran perfectly,” she said.
“My favourite part was the Snowbirds.”
Others had the same opinion. What a day!
Sponsors included Boeing, Portage la Prairie ‘City of Possibilities,’ Standard Aero, Magellan Aerospace, Manitoba Hydro, Nav Canada, Winnipeg Airports Authority, Bell Media, among other organizations.
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