What's in store this summer?

Depending where you live, air show season is either fast approaching, or already in full swing.  This summer, I am planning on attending a few events here in Saskatchewan, and also in Alberta.

First up will be a visit to the Regina Flying Club Open House, which takes place on June 2.  One of the highlights that weekend will be a visit by a vintage PT-27 Stearman, owned and operated by Vintage Wings of Canada.  Not only will the public be able to look at the aircraft up close, but sponsorship rides will also be available.  In addition to the Stearman, there will be displays of aircraft operated by the Regina Flying Club and ground displays in the hanger.

Then, on the weekend of June 15, I will be headed up to 4 Wing, Cold Lake, Alberta to take in the Maple Flag Open House.  This event allows the public to get up close and personal with aircraft and crews participating in the annual Maple Flag exercise.  In addition to the Open House, I will be photographing a mass launch and recovery the day prior.  This will give you a good look at military aircraft in action, up close and personal!

Fast forward to Saturday, July 7.  15 Wing Moose Jaw is tentatively hosting an Armed Forces Day at the base.  Various Royal Canadian Air Force, Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Army units, both active and reserve, will have displays set up to show the capabilities and equipment of today's Canadian Forces.  As of yet, static display and performing aircraft, other than the Snowbirds, have not been announced.  So, stay tuned for more details as that day approaches.

Coming up in August is "Canada Remembers Our Heros".  This event, formerly known and the Canada Remembers Air Show, will be held to honour our Veterans who are still with us, and those who are no longer with us.  Feature performers will be the Snowbirds, the CF-18 Demonstration Team and the Canadian forces Skyhawks parachute team.  the show takes place on August 4th and 5th in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Also taking place on August 5th will be the Prince Albert "Centennial of Flight" air show.  This show will feature warbirds, civilian aircraft, as well as Government of Saskatchewan firefighting aircraft.  Highlights of the show will be the Discovery Air "Hawk One" Sabre, owned by Vintage Wings of Canada.  Other Vintage Wings aircraft attending the show will be a P-51 Mustang, Fairchild Cornell and PT-27 Stearman.  The Commemorative Air force, Minnesota Wing, will be bringing "Miss Mitchell", a restored B-25 Mitchell bomber.


Finally, I am tentatively making plans to head to the US in November.  Nellis AFB, Las Vegas, Nevada, hosts Aviation Nation, 2012.  This air show shows off the might of the US Air Force, both on the ground, and in the air.  In addition, this is the homecoming show for the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, otherwise known as, the Thunderbirds.  I'll keep you up to date as this event gets closer.


All in all, it's going to be a busy, but enjoyable summer!

431 Air Demonstration Squadron-the Snowbirds

Since being formed in 1971, 431 AD Sqn, better know as the Snowbirds, have thrilled crowds all over North America and Mexico.  I remember seeing the team for the first time, in 1986 as they opened their season in Saskatoon, SK.  It was a rather cloudy and overcast day, but the team still flew, and from there, I was hooked.  I have followed the team ever since.

Over the years, the Snowbirds have become a true Canadian icon.  The Snowbirds are synonymous with Canada and are woven into the very fabric that makes this country what it is. In addition, the team continues to demonstrate the pride and professionalism of all members of the Canadian Forces.





In addition to seeing the team perform every year, I've had the opportunity to meet and befriend a few former and current Snowbird pilots and technicians.  These people are just as down to earth as you would expect anyone else to be, and all of them have taken the time to answer questions I've had about the team and the type of flying they do.

The flying that the Snowbirds do is definitely different compare to the US military aerobatic teams.  Where the Blue Angels and Thunderbird shows focus on power and show off refined combat techniques, the Snowbirds show is truly an airborne ballet.  While not specifically designed for formation aerobatics, the Canadair CT-114 Tutor has excelled at it, allowing the Snowbirds to fly a very graceful show.  Add in the excitement of the solos, and all set to music, a Snowbirds show is 25 minutes of awe inspiring flying.

With that, I hope you enjoy a few of my favourite Snowbird photos from the past few years.  These photos were taken at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and Mossbank, Saskatchewan.

Please click the link below to view the photos.

Snowbird Photo Gallery

Vintage Wings of Canada: Yellow Wings Tour

Still holding the title of largest training program of its kind, the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan helped the Allies provide pilots, gunners, bombardiers, radio operators and navigators, who would then take the fight to Nazi Germany.

Canada was chosen as the main site for the training plan as weather here was ideal, as well as having vast, wide open conditions for flight training.  Along with having ample supplies of fuel and a large, industrial sector that was capable of producing training aircraft, parts and supplies, BCATP would not have any threats from the Nazi war machine.  At its height, over 131,000 pilots and aircrew were trained here in Canada, with at least 72,000 plus being Canadian.  In total, over 100,000 administrative personnel operated 107 schools, 184 other supporting units in 231 locations, all across Canada.

In the end, BCATP provided a very strong aviation sector, as well as many new or improved airports for Canada.  The majority of these airports even remain in use to this day.  BCATP would transform Canada into the "aerodrome of democracy", and the legacy still lives on to this day.

In addition to the airports that remain, a lot of the different aircraft used under BCATP are still around, some are still airworthy.  Vintage Wings of Canada, based in Gatineau, Quebec, put together a cross Canada tour celebrating the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.  With this tour, Vintage Wings would bring people closer than ever to the history revolving around BCATP.  The participating aircraft visited as many Canadian communities, most which had direct ties to the program, in order to bring history full circle.  Aircraft that participated were the Fleet Finch, the Boeing Stearman, the deHavilland Tiger Moth, Fairchild Cornell, and the well known, North American Harvard.

In all, 67 airfields were visited, covering 18,000 miles.  In addition to not only seeing the planes up close, members of the public could also take the chance to become a member of VWoC and also go for rides in these classic aircraft.  21 volunteer pilots flew 298 passengers during the summer of 2011.  Adding in transit time, a total of 452 hours in the air were flown.  But, as always, events like this hinge on the work of volunteers, of which, 15,000 people lent a hand in one way or another to the tour.

Regina happened to be one of the stops for the Yellow Wings tour.  In order to cover more ground, only 3 aircraft were in Regina, the Cornell, Stearman and the Harvard.  All of the aircraft were restored and operated by Vintage Wings.  Regina was the home of #15 Elementary Flying Training School, which operated both Tiger Moths and Cornells, during the BCATP days.  It so happened that the Cornell on the Yellow Wings tour was in fact, one of the Cornells that served with #15 EFTS during the war.  Once the aircraft restoration was completed, the aircraft received special call letters CF-YQR, denoting its attachment to Regina.

During my visit to the Regina Flying Club to see the aircraft, I had the great fortune to meet one of the volunteer pilots, Todd Lemieux.  What turned out to be a great day to watch airplanes, became even better when Todd had asked me, and other members of the public, to help them put the aircraft to bed after Sundays long day of scorching heat.  In order to keep the aircraft in top shape, they need to be cleaned after the days flights, as oil and dirt....and bugs can build up.  Within a couple of hours, all three aircraft were cleaned and as the day drew to an end, so did the Yellow Wings visit to Regina.

I'd like to thank Vintage Wings of Canada for putting on such a great tour, which was about as ambitious as the BCATP itself!  I'd also like to thank pilot, Todd Lemeiux for a close up look at the aircraft....and for dinner!  Heads up east coast of Canada, another Yellow Wings tour may be headed your way in 2012!  Do not miss this opportunity to see these rare aircraft up close.

Please click the link below to see more photos from the Yellow Wings visit to Regina.

Yellow Wings Tour 2011

Maple Flag 43

Exercise Maple Flag is an annual military exercise held at 4 Wing, Cold Lake, AB.  Maple Flag was developed after the successful US Air Force Red Flag exercises.  The premise of the exercise is to help junior pilots develop skills such as survivability and increased aircrew performance.  During the war over Vietnam, it was determined that newer pilots, just out of training and with no combat experience, were prone to getting shot down within their first 10 combat missions.  In order to avoid this in future conflicts, Red Flag and Maple Flag would expose those junior pilots to those first 10 missions, under the most realistic setting, short of actual combat.  In addition, pilots develop other skills, such as leadership and tactical skills, as well as learning to work together with allied nations while planning air combat missions.

The exercise area used is the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range.  Covering over 11,000 square km, the CLAWR is the only tactical bombing range in Canada, which offers over 640 targets, ranging from simulated airfields, command and control structures and various aircraft and vehicles.  With unrestricted airspace and no civilian air traffic allowed, the CLAWR allows participating aircrew to utilize the full potential of their aircraft.

Back in 2009, I made my first trip to Cold Lake for Maple Flag 42.  That year, with the help of then Capt. "Squish" Umrysh, I was able to experience a Maple Flag launch up close.  It was one of the most exciting moments in my life.  So, in 2010, I made a second trip to Maple Flag 43.  While not having access to the runway, there was still plenty of photography opportunities.  Cold Lake offers an observation area for photographers and anyone interested in observing the exercise.  While able to take photos of the participating aircraft, photographers should note that Cold Lake allows lenses up to 300mm.  If you think of crossing that line, don't.  The Military Police do check cameras from time to time, and breaking the rules does a disservice to other photographers.

In addition to the exercise itself, 4 Wing also holds an Open House during Maple Flag, giving the general public an opportunity to see the aircraft up close and talk to the aircrews about their missions.  As well, it's a great place to pick up squadron swag, like patches and t-shirts!

Finally, a visit to Cold Lake has to include a visit to the Cold Lake Air Force museum.  Located at the old 42 Radar Squadron site, the museum houses various artifacts related to Cold Lake and the Canadian Forces.  Outside, various aircraft are on display, but the other bonus of touring around outside is the opportunity to see other aircraft and vehicles awaiting restoration.

While Maple Flag was cancelled in 2011, due to commitments to the mission in Libya, Maple Flag will be returning in 2012.  As of now, participants are not known, but rest assured, I will be in Cold Lake, taking more photos at this great exercise.

Enjoy the photos!!

Maple Flag 43 Photos

Aircraft Spotting in CYQR

Well, for any aviation enthusiast, nothing beats a trip to the local airport.  Whether it's a small local strip or a larger international airport, there are always opportunities to watch aircraft and get some great photos.

Variety is the name of the game.  Everything, from general aviation aircraft, civilian airliners, executive jets, military aircraft, helicopters, etc visit Regina's airport daily.  Most photos, I have taken right at the airport, usually at the local Shell Aerocenter, or I have simply parked on a grid road near one of the runway approaches.

Photographing aircraft at the local airport is always a great way to practice if there isn't an air show near you.

Anyways, enjoy the examples I have taken over the past couple of years.  Everything from 737s, Cessnas, and various military aircraft that have stopped in the Queen City.

Enjoy!!

Spotting at CYQR

Snowbirds Hangar Visit-September 2010

Back in September of 2010, I made a trip out to 15 Wing Moose Jaw to visit the Snowbirds hangar.  This trip started out as a mere photo opportunity for a model project, but it turned into an all day tour of the Squadron, as well as a chance to welcome the team home from one of its recent "swings".  During the summer, as the team crosses North America, the schedule is broken up into what the team calls "swings".  These swings comprise of show sites contained in one area of Canada and the United States.  A swing can put the team on the road for up to a month, at which point, the team will return to Moose Jaw for a few days of rest, as well as preparing for the next swing.

But, before the team arrived, I had time to tour the two hangars that the Snowbirds occupy at 15 Wing.  I started off in hangar 7, which includes a briefing room for the team, equipment storage, as well as housing an ejection seat trainer and parking for the 11 jets that the team takes on the road.  On the other half of Hangar 7 is the paint shop.  This is where the team's CT-114 Tutors receive their distinctive red, white and blue paint scheme.

Next hangar over is hanger 6, which is used by the home team.  Here, spare jets are stripped down, problems diagnosed and repaired.  In addition, avionics shops, engine test bay, parachute packing and all supply is run out of hangar 6.  The walls of both hangars were adorned with various plaques of recognition and awards, signs and banners from various shows that have been visited over the years, as well as past team members, dating back to 1971, when the team was first formed.  It was great to visit the different shops, as well as getting the chance to talk to the technicians who work behind the scenes while the rest of the team is on the road.

Heading back to hangar 7, I was able to hang out in the Snags section as technicians waited for the team to arrive.  Arrival day back home is, as I found out, a precisely planned event.  The jets simply do not just show up and are parked in the hangar and then everyone goes home.  Taskings for the day are planned out and assigned so that the jets are properly serviced when they arrive.  As well, even before the jets arrive, there is a posting board, outlining any mechanical issues for each jet that needs to be addressed before the team can leave on the next swing.  Just from conversations I had, the team would have about 2 days to take care of things before the jets left on their final swing of the 2010 season, starting in Reno, Nevada.

After listening to the team on their Squadron frequency, the waiting techs gathered outside on the Snowbirds ramp and conducted a FOD walk.  FOD, or Foreign Object Damage, which can range from small pebbles, pieces of metal, etc, could possibly be injested by the Tutor, which would lead to costly damage to the engine.  So, the techs, standing shoulder to shoulder, walk the entire length of the ramp, picking up anything that could damage the jets.  After a few more minutes, the two Advance and Safety pilots, Snowbirds 10 and 11, arrived overhead, landed and taxied to their parking spots.  Within another 20 minutes or so, the rest of the team arrived over 15 Wing and landed.  As always, the team taxis onto the ramp with the precision they would at any show site.  As the jets shut down, techs immediately started to unpack and service the aircraft.  This involved refueling with jet fuel and filling the smoke tanks with diesel fuel, which is used to make the smoke that the jets trail during a show.

Without a dedicated support aircraft, the Tutor jets are packed full (and I mean, full!) of everything from spare parts, cleaning supplies and personal effects for the pilots and technicians.  Every inch of free space is packed.  Everything is unpacked from the jets, equipment such as parachutes and helmets are wheeled away on carts, and the pilots and technicians unpack their luggage.  As this goes on, family members have also gathered at the hanger and eagerly await fathers, mothers, spouses, who have been away from home most of the summer.  The biggest thing I took away from that moment was the real sense of family that the team has.  Everyone knows everyone else.  It is indeed a small, tight knit community, from the techs and pilots down to the spouses.  Smiles abounded as loved ones were reunited again.

All in all, it was a great day and a great experience.  I'd like to thank Corporal Dan Kaulbach, one of the Snowbirds technicians, for arranging to meet me and take me through the Snowbird hangars.  It was very much appreciated.

Click on the link below to see more photos from my visit.

Snowbirds Hangar Visit-2010

2010 CF-18 Demonstration Hornet visit to CYQR.

2010 marked the 100th Anniversary of the Royal Canadian Navy.  In order to help celebrate this milestone, the 2010 CF-18 Demonstration Hornet was painted in a commemorative paint scheme to recognize this.  The 2010 CF-18 Demonstration Hornet was assigned to 425 "Alouette" Tactical Fighter Squadron, based at 3 Wing, Bagotville, Quebec and the pilot chosen to fulfill the duties of air show pilot was Capt. Brian Bews.  Originally from Eatonia, Saskatchewan, Capt. Bews joined the Canadian Forces in 1999 and received his wings in 2003.  After flying with 416 "Lynx" and 409 "Nighthawk" Squadrons in Cold Lake, he joined 425 Squadron in Bagotville.

Tasked with showing the capabilities of the CF-18, Brian opened his season in Jones Beach, NY to an enthusiastic crowd.  As is usually the case, the CF-18 Demonstration Team would perform at various air shows throughout the United States and Canada.

With seven performances under their belt, Capt. Bews and the CF-18 Demonstration Team prepared for their next performance at the Lethbridge International Air Show.  It's standard for a Friday practice to be held so that the demonstration pilot can familiarize themselves with the air show box and surrounding area and establishing entry and exit points in the show box.  As with any other weekend, Capt. Bews was launched by his dedicated ground team prior to taking to the air.  The practice started off normally and everything appeared to be going well.  About half way through the performance, it was clear that something was wrong.  As he approached to perform the "High Alpha" maneuver, one that he had performed countless times prior, the jet suddenly yawed to the right and was seconds away from impacting the ground.  Training took over and within a mere 4 seconds, Capt. Bews was thrust out of the aircraft by its new NACES ejection seat and under a parachute canopy, followed by a hard landing on the ground.  Air show workers, volunteers, as well as members of the Canadian Forces parachute team, The Skyhawks, rushed to the scene where they found Brian alive and conscious.  The most serious injuries that Capt. Bews received were three fractured vertebrae, caused by the shock of the ejection.  Capt. Bews credited Martin Baker, who built the seat that saved his life.  “I feel extremely lucky considering the magnitude of the accident; Martin Baker is my new best friend!,” was his quote when asked about the incident.


After approximately 6 months in a back brace, Capt. Bews was back in the air, at the controls of a CT-156 Harvard II over 15 Wing, Moose Jaw, his current assignment.  As well, Brian was recently promoted to the rank of Major.


I had the good fortune of meeting Brian Bews here in Regina in early July.  He arrived over Regina with clear skies, and proud family members waiting on the ground.  I'd like to thank Brian for his hospitality and for letting me take photos of the 2010 Demo jet while he was here.


Please click on the link below to see more photos from that day.


2010 CF-18 Demonstration Hornet visit to CYQR