VERDICT: WE GAVE 5 OUT OF 5 TICKETS AND HERE’S WHY!
There’s something Mr. MRT & I did over 20 years ago for our first date…
It’s now a tradition, the Abbotsford Air Show! We enjoy watching these metal beasts, flying so effortlessly across the skies and we have now watched 20 + shows together!
Abbotsford International Airshow
Mr. MRT was once in the Air Training Corps (Attached to the Royal Air Force) , so his appreciation is another level – having actually piloted airplanes makes a big difference. Yes, he got a Private Pilot Licence when he was 18 yrs old and able to fly single engine aircraft.
It’s funny to realize we can now watch the show from home on our own patio, as the Abbotsford International Airport is right out our windows.
We really enjoy the history of the planes & what they were/are used for. I suppose it’s like when we travel… we hit up museums, we ride the Hop On, Hop Off & go on tours to find out the who, what, where, when & why of the places we’re travelling in.
The Abbotsford International Air Show, over 60 years old, is held at the Abbotsford International Airport (YXX) every August. There are awesome Aerial acrobatics, so much aviation history, displays, an interactive S. T. E. M. Zone (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics), Kids Zone, food trucks & plenty of other booths to check out.
Our Royal Canadian Air Force plays a big part in the show, with their cool parachutist display & so much more.
Some really cool people like Melissa Burns, a world-class aerobatic pilot, professional skydiver, B. A. S. E. jumper, commercial airline pilot & faculty member at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, joined this year’s event. She flies her Edge 540 in air shows, and serves as a First Officer on the Boeing 737 for Alaska Airlines.
There was a fully electric engine Harbour Air eBeaver. Their goal is to commercialize a net-zero flight to eventually help decarbonize airline fleets.
The Air Show has a Twilight Show on the Friday evening with a flight show, hot air balloons & a drone show. The “Ghostwriter” flown by Nate Hammond, is a 1956 deHavilland Super Chipmunk with 200 pounds of pyrotechnics & LED lights! The Grumman AirshowCat, flown by Mike Tryggvason, does amazing tricks by day & transforms into a dazzling fireworks platform by night!
One of the really spectacular shows on the Saturday & Sunday, was Wingwalker Sam, high atop the ex-G164 AgCat modified especially for wingwalking. You won’t believe your eyes to see her on that wing during the loop, barrell roll & hammerhead maneuvers, waving maniacally overhead!
A favourite of ours is, of course, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. A team of 9 jets flying in close formations. Their jets are the iconic Canadian-made CT-114 Tutor, flown by serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces. Their show is a spectacular race where they pass each other on-so-closely & fan out into the skies like a starburst.
You want to see thrilling? Then hang onto your hats because the CF-18 Hornet will blow your mind! These fighter jets blast overhead, letting you feel the power right down to your toes. You can easily imagine them carrying air-to-air missiles, precision-guided bombs & their internal canons. Their low-level passes, rapid climbs & sharp turns let you see how agile these jets truly are.
It’s interesting to see the Search & Rescue CH-149 Cormorant helicopter & CC-295 Kingfisher aircraft. They are the responsibility of the Royal Canadian Air Force & help search for downed aircraft, or assist in maritime incidents including in the Arctic, Atlantic, Pacific & inland regions. They can also be deployed to help with humanitarian incidents or evacuations. You can speak with these hero pilots & rescuers in the display section of the show.
From the EA-18G Growler Airshow Team, to the MiG-17F (made famous during the Vietnam War), to the USAF F-35 Lightning II Demo Team (5th generation stealth fighter planes), to the USAF Heritage Flight, you’ll be amazed at the dexterity of these flying metal contraptions.
The USAF Heritage Flight features the F-35A Lightning II, the P-38 Lightning & the P-51 Mustang. This flight shows the past & present through the flight of these World War II aircraft.
The SkyHawks were as entertaining as always with their parachutists. This team shows the teamwork & skill, let alone physical fitness, it takes to manoeuvre their chutes in close proximity to each other. There’s even a colourful smoke show!
There are huge planes like the KC-46 Pegasus & the C-17 Globemaster III to show how they work together to support global operations. The Pegasus can refuel the Globemaster midair! The Globemaster would carry troops, vehicles, cargo & perform airdrops when in service.
Even if you don’t know a lot about airplanes or their history, you can’t help but enjoy & be in awe of this show & the exhibitors.
Go prepared: be early (to choose a great spot for photos), take chairs & umbrellas (for sun protection) & plenty of sunscreen. You can choose to bring your own food & drinks but for safety reasons, the airfield has specific ruling on what you can bring in with you, so go their website for details. It’s a fantastic outing & you’ll be planning to go again, you’ll see!
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