Abbotsford Air Show Celebrates 47 Years
If you’ve been offering air show entertainment for 47 years, you must have the formula correct. The Abbotsford International Air Show celebrated this milestone in 2009, with a wide-ranging affair that included everything from civilian homebuilts to military jets, packed into a five hour flying display. It is one of the longest running, premiere air shows in North America today.
For those who haven’t heard of Abbotsford airport, it’s a former Canadian military training airfield about an hour and a half’s drive east of Vancouver, British Columbia. Today, its home to flight training centers, a large maintenance and overhaul operation, and a fire bomber base; the airport can easily handle any aircraft, including “heavies”. Set in the middle of farmlands, there are majestic mountains in the distance… a great place to watch the 3-day air show.
Of great interest this year was the centennial of manned flight in Canada. Abbotsford’s flying display included three special Canadian aircraft, the Centennial CF-18 Hornet from the Air Force, the Canadair Mk.5 Sabre “Hawk One”, and the CT-114 Tutor painted in Golden Centennaires colors. These three specially prepared aircraft opened each show with a stirring series of passes while a commentary about Canada’s rich aviation heritage was presented. The Canadian Forces Snowbirds provided a rare formation flight with the Hawk One Sabre, just prior to their display, too.
Other military aircraft in the flying program included solo routines from a Canadian CF-18, CP-140 (P-3 Orion), US Air Force F-16 and C-17 demos, plus a US Coast Guard MH-65, based in Washington State. A pair of Alaska-based F-15s departed the show area and returned some time later for a low pass too. The USAF Heritage flight consisted of the F-16 and either one of a pair of P-51s at the show. The Canadian Skyhawks parachute team jumped from the C-17, which came from Altus AFB OK. Unfortunately, both Canadian Forces Search and Rescue aircraft… a CH-149 Cormorant and a CC-115 Buffalo… cancelled out due to operational commitments.
Civilian-wise, there was a diverse collection of general aviation and warbird aircraft in the Abbotsford skies daily. The flying display began with a series of passes by a Pitts biplane, a Christen Eagle II, a Quickie Q2 and other kitplanes. “Round engine” fanatics had a field day. A rare F7F Tigercat from the Historic Flight Foundation of Paine Field, Washington headed a list of machines that included Harvards, Yaks (a Yak-18T,Yak-55 and a Yak-11 trainer too), a North American A-26C Invader, and a WACO AQC-6 cabin class biplane. Multiple scrambles by a quartet of Conair Firecat fire bombers (converted Grumman S-2/CS-2 Trackers) working one of the 800 fires burning in British Columbia that weekend added to the ‘round engine music. A pair of Mustangs flew, including a rare P-51B, complete with a Malcolm hood cockpit canopy. Classic jets, in the form of a MiG-17 and a Fouga Magister, were represented, too.
Aerobatic entertainment was provided by Bud and Ross Granley (father and son), Warren and Kent Pietsch (brothers), Dan Buchanan, and Rob Holland. The Granleys flew four different aircraft during the show, and the Pietschs flew four different routines, including Kent landing his Jelly Belly Interstate Cadet on the “world’s shortest runway”. Dan and Rob mixed it up together; with Dan’s hang glider a huge contrast to Rob’s cutting edge MX-2 aerobatic mount. Later in the day, Rob Holland showed why he was crowned the 2008 World Advanced Aerobatic Champion, with a dizzying flight display.
On the ground, a strong static display was filled with Canadian and American military machines including: the “Gonzo” CT-142 trainer, a 49-year old B-52 bomber, a quartet of Alaska-based F-15s, Colorado and Utah-based F-16s, an Alberta-based CF-18, and four Navy F-18C Hornets from VF-84 the “Mighty Shrikes”. Trainers such as the Canadian CT-155 Hawk and CT-156 Harvard II were on display, too, with stairs aside so spectators could climb up and look in. A British Sentry AWACs aircraft “showed the flag”, and multiple C-130 transports were open for spectators to tour. There were dozens of civilian aircraft, from Cessnas and Pipers to Commanders and Bellancas. A pair of Fleet Canucks graced the grounds, as did a DeHavilland Beaver and Otter, both on floats. There were many kitplanes and LSA aircraft to look at, too.
The Abbotsford Flying Club first presented the event in 1962, and will mark the 50th anniversary air show in 2012. Held every August, their recipe for success includes lots of top-notch flying, plus plenty of opportunities for spectators to get close to the aircraft and talk to the aircrew. The 2009 air show followed this formula closely, as it has for many years. The exciting and entertaining results proved just why the popular event has endured for as long as it has.
Article and photos by Ken Kula
