Canadian International Air Show

I brought my family to the Air Show again this year, and once again it was a spectacular event. Having the Blue Angels, an F-22, an F-16, the Snowbirds and many others on a beautiful sunny day was a great way to spend the 'last weekend before school'.

One unusual thing happened though. I was listening in to the Air Boss frequency while taking pix and while the P-51 Mustangs were performing in the box, one of them bolted from formation and turned abruptly. He caught sight of a previous aircraft (Spitfire) which was coming in to land on the nearby island airport.

The Mustang pilot was p1ssed. He said 'what the hell was that aircraft'. The Air Boss apologized and said that it was the Spitfire and he was supposed to keep a tight base but went wide. That wasn't a satisfactory answer, and the Mustang pilot chewed him out a bit. It clearly threw the guys for a bit, and it was a few minutes before they re-grouped and resumed their show.

I can only imagine what a shock that would be to be in tight formation in a turn and see in the corner of your eye another aircraft in a place that is supposed to be completely empty.

Anyway, that was the only real drama. I posted my pix at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ph-stop/sets/72157622153371465/
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

The only bad thing about the CIAS is the fact that you are facing into the sun

As for pilots being at the wrong place at the wrong time it happens a lot more than most people realize at air shows.

At the Thunder over MI Air show in 05 The F-16 demo was going on when the B-2 that was to make a few passes showed up in the distance. The F-16 pilot Tells ATC to get him out of his airspace. ATC tells him that he is 12 miles out the F-16 pilot wanted him 20 miles out.

At Nellis 07 the F/A-18F demo had a glitch with its INS. When the pilots aborted the demo to trouble shoot they ended up drifting into the airspace of the Las Vegas airspace. the Air Boss told him that he needs to get his butt back to Nellis and land and call Vegas Approach.

Perhaps the worst one I have seen was the Thunderbirds at March ARB keep losing sight of each other in the haze and kept aborting there routine until T-Bird 1 decided that all 6 get into formation and perform a few flat passes then call it a day

 

Awesome photos, Mark!

I was there on Saturday.

The Blue Angels (and F-16 and F-22) put on one heck of a show!

 

Thanks, Derek.

Yes, the Angels put on a great show. It was longer than I thought, and really incredible. But the F-22...wow. What an aircraft. It was doing things that looked like something from a special effects studio.

 

Great shots! Looks like a fun time!

I'd kill to see the F-22 in action but any time they've requested it for the air show hear they've been given a big fat no. The airport is right in the middle of downtown Kansas City so I figure they probably think it's a security risk or something. Either way it sucks.

 

I was also there and watched the Spitfire coming around, I knew already what was going to happen. Rick Volker was flying the Spitfire, he is an awesome guy.

Rick Volker standing beside the Russell Groups Spitfire.

The Mustangs as they passed center stage.

Blue Angels four F-18's in formation.

Blue Angel ship #7 at Pearson Airport.

The Russell Group if you want to go out to Niagra falls and check out there planes.

 

The annual program of appearances for the F-22 Demo Team is posted at the beginning of the airshow season. See it at http://www.acc.af.mil/aerialevents/f22a/index.asp.