Canadian International Airshow Set to Hit the Skies on Labour Day Weekend

The Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds perform a fly-past during Canada Day celebrations on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on July 1, 2018. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang

The Canadian International Airshow will be celebrating its 75th year with demonstrations and performances in Toronto skies over the Labour Day weekend.

Running on Aug. 31, Sept. 1, and Sept. 2, the show is considered North America’s longest-running airshow. A practice day will be held on Aug. 30.

Aerial displays at the event include the nine-plane formation of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, known as one of the largest and most recognized squadrons in the Royal Canadian Air Force. The team is made up of about 80 men and women with a home base located in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

The Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team, The Red Arrows, will make its third appearance at the show. Based in England, the group was founded in 1964 and flies in a formation of nine British Aerospace Hawk T.1 aircraft.

Spectators will also enjoy a demonstration from the United States Air Force F-22 team, based in Virginia. The aircraft is a fifth-generation fighter with fourth-generation technology. Other aircraft include the P-51 Mustang “Bald Eagle,” appearing with the F-22 Raptor.

A demonstration team will also show off the capabilities of the twin-engine McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet. The aircraft has been part of Canada’s NATO commitment, defending North American airspace.

Redline Air Shows will show off its aerobatic display in Van’s RV-8 formation during the event, tackling synchronized rolls and loops in this father-and-son pilot team.

Other performances will include demonstrations by the Lancaster and B-25 Mitchell from the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum collection, and the C-47 Dakota, a military version of the Douglas DC-3.

Attendees will also get to see the Harvard MK II in action. These aircraft were used as advanced trainers with the British Commonwealth Air Training program.

Some unique aircraft on display include the Long EZ, a small tandem-seating aircraft with a unique delta wing canard design, and the homebuilt Pitts 12, which resembles a biplane but has 400 horsepower and is extremely lightweight.

Crowds will also get to see a show by the BO 105 helicopter. The aircraft is a twin-engine machine developed in West Germany, and was the first of its kind in the world. The BO 105 is capable of inverted aerobatic manoeuvres like loops and rolls.

An exclusive Air Show Zone will be set up in front of centre stage, which will offer a live narration of the event. Shows will be running between 12 p.m. and 3:40 p.m. daily.

To get the best view of the demonstrations, visitors can gather at the Marilyn Bell Park on 1095 Lake Shore Blvd. West. Shows can also be viewed from some places in the Canadian National Exhibition grounds, according to the event’s website.

Some of the performances may also be seen from across Lake Shore Blvd., however according to the website it will be a side view of the manoeuvres and there will be no speakers set up for the narration.

It’s recommended that attendees bring water, a hat, sunglasses, and comfortable shoes for walking. For those expecting to purchase food or other items, bring a credit or debit card as the event vendors do not accept cash.

Seating is available for those who purchase tickets to the event, according to the website.

Those who are not able to make it down to the event will be able to catch in online with a live stream. Viewers can choose from a live stream with the narration or without. To access the live stream, visit the Canadian International Airshow webpage.