Spectacular 70th Anniversary Canadian International Air Show
By Gord McNulty, CAHS Vice President
The RCAF Snowbirds were the concluding peformance at the CIAS
CAHS Toronto members were thrilled to receive 45 complimentary tickets to the 70th Anniversary of the Canadian International Air Show Aug. 31-Sept. 2 at the Canadian National Exhibition. The aerial display over the Toronto waterfront once again lived up to the exceptional standard that has made it among the leading air shows in North America.
The much-appreciated tickets to the exclusive air zone were generously provided by Lori Duthie, CIAS Executive Director. CAHS Toronto Chapter Sheldon Benner wrote a letter of appreciation to Lori, the Air Show Committee and the CNE for the initiative. The Chapter Executive is hopeful that we can discuss the possibilities of showing a poster or a small display at the show to promote the activities of the CAHS for the past 57 years.
Red Arrows in a colourful display at the CIAS
It was especially rewarding to see the Royal Air Force Red Arrows in action as part of their North American Tour this year. The Arrows flew their precision aerobatic manoeuvres in fast and nimble BAE Hawk T1 jets, underlining their importance as national ambassadors for Britain.
The Arrows have flown the CIAS only once before, back in 2002. As the Arrows like to say, it was “smoke on, go!” for the team, now in its 55th season. The Arrows pilots and members of the Circus --- the team’s travelling support crew --- enjoyed meeting and greeting everyone during the day along with other air show participants.
A flypast by the RAF Airbus A400M Atlas
Other first-time appearances included a Royal Air Force Airbus A400M Atlas, providing tactical and strategic airlift for the British military, including the Red Arrows, and a Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone. The Snowbirds excelled again, and a CH-146 Griffon from 424 Squadron provided a dramatic search and rescue demonstration.
CIAS Chair Richard Cooper flew a Russian-built, two-seat Mikoyan MiG-15, while Dave Hewitt flew his beautifully polished Beech Expeditor 3NM. Impressive aerobatics were flown by Brent Handy in his Pitts Special and ageless Gord Price in his Yak 50, among other featured performers.
An excellent souvenir programme, Airspeed, was produced for the show. I have scanned some photos from the programme for this report. Eric Dumigan took many fine images from a different vantage point at the Toronto Airport control tower, found on his website www.airic.ca
We’re looking forward to the 71st CIAS and the prospect of strengthening the relationship between the CAHS and the CIAS to promote our shared goals.
A CH-146 Griffon hoists a SAR tech from Lake Ontario in a dramatic display
A new aircaft profile the Sikorsky Cyclone flies overhead
The title page of the RAF Red Arrows brochure
A profile and specifications of the BAE Systems Hawk TI flown by the Red Arrows
A Red Arrows Hawk scanned from the 2019 CIAS programme
The proud history of the CIAS is outlined in this plaque on display at Exhibition Place
The Red Arrows North American Tour began in Halifax August 11 and is set to conclude Oct 4 6 in Los Angeles
The Red Arrows pilots all of whom have previously flown operationally with the Harrier Tornado or the Typhoon