Abbotsford
Air Show 2003
by Ed
Anderson
Abbotsford
British Columbia, home of the Abbotsford International
Airshow, hosted the 41st edition of the big show 8, 9, 10
of August 2003. Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of
Powered Flight, gates were open to the general public at
8:00 am. The huge static ramp welcomed visitors at 8:30,
with light flying events at 10:30, and the main air
program at 11:30. Opening Ceremonies followed at noon or
thereabouts. The days events ended at 5 pm. and gates
were closed to patrons at 6 pm. Ten hours - enough for
anyone's venue in one day, even the most avid of airshow
fans and aviation enthusiasts.
Regardless of
being somewhat of a weather challenged show this year -
some cooker heat, clear blue high sky, clouds, showers,
humidity, haze and peek-a-boo sun stuff - the gate
numbers were reported to be better than expected,
apparently exceeding last years 3 day total of 160,000 by
an estimated 20 percent. An encouraging continued
increase since the lost year of 1998. Although the days
of old may yet be a ways off, the come-back trail appears
pretty darn positive nonetheless.
Abbotsford is less than an hour's drive east of
Vancouver, BC on the main Trans Canada Highway. It is in
the heart of the fertile Fraser Valley and a major
agricultural centre. The airport has undergone phenomenal
growth in traffic and has earned international
status.
Despite several 'last minute' cancellations of U.S.
military aircraft, including the "Blue Angels"/ Marines
C-130 "Fat Albert" due to an apparent mechanical problem,
there were still plenty of arrivals for static display,
especially the fighter and ground support types. A crowd
favorite and farmers headache, the B1-B "Lancer" bomber
was a no show as were the KC-10 "Extender" refuel tanker,
and the C-17 Globemaster III airlifter. Evidently
'tending' to more important business elsewhere in the
world, one would guess. An interesting footnote though,
is that this years attending C-5A heavy lifter 68304,
AFRC, Westover, is the first "Galaxy" to be retired by
the United States Air Force, supposedly in February,
2004. However, 2003 also featured the Abbotsford Airshow
premier of the all new Lockheed Martin C-130J "Super
Hercules" - the world's most advanced military airlifter.
"Not your father's Hercules!" according to a recent quip
by an excited USAF operator. A fresh and completely
re-engineered C-130 Hercules transporter, which flies 40%
further, faster and with less fuel than earlier versions,
and handled by only a crew of three - left seat, right
seat and loadmaster. The C-130J is said to usher in a new
era in air mobility and is currently in production for
military forces and Homeland Defense of the United
States, Britain, Australia, Italy and Denmark. For
further details check website www.lockheedmartin.com
Ground displays
& attractions were plentiful as were vendors of all
sorts. This year though held a new look and variety of
food and drink concessions, monitored by a ticket
purchase system rather than by payment of cash at each
stand. Change is good, some say.
Well rounded and
entertaining announcers make for essential ingredients of
a smooth and successful airshow program. The Abbotsford
Airshow is indeed fortunate to have two of the best in
the business. Bob Singleton, veteran airshow narrator and
his fun loving side-kick Roy Hafeli, an accomplished air
display and special events announcer in his own right,
both local guys, did a fabulous job of keeping the show
on track, despite fluctuating weather conditions and
inherent flying schedule adjustments. Always the
consummate professionals, even when reminding those who
should, by common sense, know better than to light up
cigarettes on dry grass areas, let alone around fuel
venting aircraft.
19 Wing Comox, B.C.
and 4 Wing Cold Lake, AB were likewise well represented
with both ramp display aircraft and 'Hot Line'
performers. A CT-156 Harvard II, based at Moose Jaw SK
made it's inaugural visit to Abbotsford, giving the
aviation minded a first-hand look at the Canadian/Nato
version of the United States T-6A, "Texan 2" produced by
Raytheon Aircraft Co., an example of which was on show
display last year.
The United States
Navy "Blue Angels" and Canadian Forces "Snowbirds" jet
formation and aerobatic teams were this year's premier
performers. The "Blue Angels", formed in mid 1946 and the
"Snowbirds" first performing in 1971, although equally
impressive in their respective air display regimens, are
completely different in every other aspect. Perhaps this
is why the American and Canadian teams are such an
interesting and entertaining contrast, which also serves
to compliment one another and their distinct styles of
aerobatic routines, brought about mainly because of the
types of aircraft they fly. The "Blues" six plane unit
use, with great ability, the fast, powerful and
thunderous F/A-18 Hornet fighter, primarily in variables
of four formation aircraft and two solos. The single seat
Hornet version is a 56,000 lb max. weight takeoff, 1.7
mach airplane, powered by two General Electric
F404-GE-400 turbofan engines, each capable of pushing out
16,000 lbs of thrust. The nine-plane "Snowbirds" team on
the other hand, fly the venerable 2 seat, 7,170 lb
(approx.), 412 knot airspeed, CT-114 Tutor pilot trainer,
powered by a single General Electric J-85 Can 40 engine
producing just 2,700 lbs of thrust. The dexterous aerial
ballet style "Snowbirds", for the most part operate in
the nine, seven and five plane variables, with breakaway
doubles and solos. This year the "Blue Angels", which can
transition the Hornet to active duty within hours of
deployment, are scheduled to perform nearly 70 air shows
at 34 locations in the United States and Canada. The
Canadian Forces "Snowbirds" 431 Air Demonstration
Squadron performed a special Centennial of Flight show at
Abbotsford, as part of the '100 Towns for 100 Years
national tour', in celebration of the 100th Anniversary
of Powered Flight. Moreover, the "Snowbirds" in their
33rd season will perform 65 shows at 41 locations across
North America in 2003.
Other flying acts
included: The Canadian Museum of Flight at Langley, B.C.
and some of their pristine aircraft consisting of
biplanes, an SE-5 replica, a Fleet Finch, a de Havilland
DH 82 Tiger Moth, a Waco F series, an award winner Cabin
Waco, AQC6, plus a low wing Mk IV Harvard, in singles and
formation fly pasts, Horizon Aero-Sports Parachute Demo,
19 Wing Comox CH-149 "Cormorant" Transport and Rescue
Demo (now 5 examples on active duty at Station Comox),
Bud and Ross Granley displaying their pilot skills and
showmanship in the Fouga V tail Trainer, "Golden Hawk"
Harvard (SNJ actually), and the Yaks, 18T and 55M. The
effervescent and much accomplished Julie Clark was back
and performed the ever graceful musically choreographed
aerial ballet in her Mopar Parts sponsored Beech T-34.
Kent Pietsch and his extraordinary comedic flying and
dead stick routines in his Interstate Cadet caused plenty
of aahs and laughter from onlookers. Eddie Andreini, a 35
year airshow veteran flew solo routines in his 450 hp
'Super Stearman' and an all-red Russian Yak-9U called
"Barbarossa". "The King of Sailplane Aerobatics" Manfred
Radius again beautifully presented his Salto H 101 silent
aerobatics - the man is a master. Although there were no
commercial airliner or military jet fly-byes, at least on
Friday or Saturday, Hellijet Airways put on an impressive
exhibition of their Sikorsky 76 Spirit Helicopter.
Several 'Warbirds' also went airborne bringing back to us
all a piece of history with their solo and formation fly
pasts. The "Heritage Flights" were back. Major General
William Anders (retired) flying "Val-Halla", a P-51D
Mustang in element formation with an F-15C Eagle of the
United States Air Force piloted by Captain Lendy Renegar.
The Canada Heritage Flight comprised a Mk IV Harvard,
from the Museum of Flight at Langley B.C. flown by George
Kirby son, and a CF-18 Hornet with Captain Travis
Brassington at the controls.
Military Tactical
and Multi-Role Fighter Demonstrations were provided by a
U.S. Navy F-14 "Tomcat", a U.S.A.F. F15 "Eagle" and a
Canadian Forces CF-18 "Hornet". Regardless of the day and
weather these guys really rattled God's rafters and the
crowds loved it. The "Tomcat" handled by Lieutenants Andy
"Stik" Mrstik, pilot, and Courtney "Disco" Kinnan, Rio,
both of Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia, let it all go
with this Mach 2 + Carrier-based multi-role strike
fighter, the longest service time fighter in the U.S.
Navy. Not to be outdone, Capt. Lendy "Alamo" Renegar, a
West Coast Demo Team Pilot, likewise well demonstrated
the capabilities of his mount, an F-15 Eagle, but he too,
within certain boundaries of course, lest there be square
eggs, curdled milk and frayed nerves for a few days, plus
a few other things thrown in for good measure no doubt. A
'Tiger in the Sky' was the 'Canuck' contribution and
contribute he did. Captain Travis "Brass" Brassington of
410 Tactical (Operational Training) Squadron, Cold Lake,
Alberta, driving the CF-18 Hornet
dressed
in a tiger motif paint scheme, in recognition of the
'Tiger Meet of the Americas' to be hosted at 4 Wing Cold
Lake this September, put on a super display of colorful
flying both as a solo act and the 'Heritage Flight'.
Overall, a heck of
a show and the continuing addition of piston engine war
birds is a most welcome change of pace and
time.
Story and Photos
By Ed
Anderson
