In the skies over Central-Southern Ontario there was the roar of piston and jet engines that brought crowds out to the Waterloo Aviation Expo & Airshow 2010. This, the second year of the Expo but the first year for the airshow part, was a great success with the hope that future shows at Waterloo will just get better and better.

Well organized and advertised, the Waterloo event is one to look forward to on the airshow circuit. With aircraft and performers not seen elsewhere in Southern Ontario, the show brought a fresh look to the airshow world in the area. If they continue to bring new attractions to their show, they will always have a winner on their hands.

Celebrating 100 years of the Canadian Navy, Vintage Wings of Canada's Corsair flew a nice air display, including a superb flypast in formation with the Vintage Wings of Canada F-86 Sabre, Hawk One. The Corsair honours Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray, VC, a Canadian flying with the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm flying in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. The Sabre is painted in the livery of the RCAF Golden Hawks aerobatic team, created in 1959 to honour the 50th anniversary of powered flight in Canada. This sabre is painted as a Golden Hawk Sabre to honour the 100th anniversary of powered flight in Canada in 2009.

A rarity in the skies of Southern Ontario was the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group B-17 movie version "Memphis Belle" from Geneseo, New York. This big 4-engine World War II bomber thrilled the crowds with several passes. After being released from military strength in 1959, the airplane served several owners before being purchased by Military Aircraft Restoration Corporation (MARC) and was fully restored in 1982. It flew to the UK for the filming of the movie "Memphis Belle" and retained the livery she flies in today.

Viper North, out of Pearson (Toronto) International Airport, had both their L-29 Delphin and their MiG 15 UTI at the show and both performed superb flying demonstrations. Richard Cooper and Jeff Lewis, pilots of these wonderful vintage jet aircraft, put them through their paces, impressing the crowds, making sure they were heard, and seen, for miles. One time enemies who flew against each other in war, the MiG 15 and the Vintage Wings F-86 Sabre also flew a historic formation pass together.

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) flew their aircraft in wonderful flypasts during the show. These aircraft are a very common sight at shows and commemorative displays throughout Ontario. Their multi-aircraft formations roar through the air with 'smoke-on' as they bring a tear to the eye of the veterans who once flew them. Many years ago, these brave aviators trained in them, flying with the BCATP (British Commonwealth Air Training Plan) at airstrips and bases across Canada, preparing for air combat in the skies over Europe and the South Pacific.

Another unusual participant at the Waterloo show was Kent Piestch, a pilot with a skill and ability that has to be seen to be believed. Performing three separate displays, Piestch flew his 1942 Interstate Cadet in a way that would make most private pilots cringe and yet, he performed them with such ease, and grace, that even the most experienced pilot would have to be impressed. Flying to several thousand feet above the airport, Piestch would shut the engine down and then perform 'dead stick' aerobatics, sounding and looking more like a sailplane than an aircraft with an engine. He also flew a display acting as a kind of inebriated airplane thief, flinging the Cadet through the sky from but a foot or two from the ground, even touching a wheel or a wingtip at times, and having an aileron tumble from the right wing while in a steep climb, performing the remainder of his display without it! His third display, also his grand finale, was his landing. One wouldn't normally associate the landing of an airplane as being a big part of a display, however, it is when one lands his airplane on the top of a moving recreational vehicle. Three wonderful acts indeed!

Also honouring the 100th anniversary of the Canadian Navy was a display by a Sea King helicopter. The Sea King first flew with the Royal Canadian Navy beginning in the 1960's and, though these aging aircraft are slated to be removed from service in the coming years, the Navy still flies these helicopters on a regular basis, performing normal duties as well as search and rescue operations

Rounding out the airshow were the venerable and always popular Canadian Forces Snowbirds aerobatic display team. Flying the Canadian designed and built Canadair Tutor aircraft, the Snowbirds are always a popular part of any airshow, thrilling spectators of all ages with their tight formation displays and aerial aerobatics. The year 2010 sees the Snowbirds celebrating their 40th anniversary and they are expected to fly the Tutor, with new 'glass' cockpits, until 2020.

Along with the flying, there were many ground vendors at the show including those you could buy aviation related items, food and drink from, or join one of the many aviation organizations and museums throughout the area. There was also a children's play area so, IF the kids get bored or tired of watching airplanes, there's somewhere to take them to burn off energy and keep them busy while YOU watch the airplanes!.

So, if you find yourself in Southern Ontario in the month of June, visit the Waterloo region and come and watch a great airshow, with superb performers, great volunteers, and beautiful sunny, spring skies. It may not be THE "Battle of Waterloo," but it's a show worth battling crowds to get to!

For more information about the Waterloo Aviation Expo & Airshow visit -
www.waterlooairshow.ca

For more information on Vintage Wings of Canada visit - www.vintagewings.ca

For more information on the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association visit - www.harvards.com

For more information on the 1941 Historical Aircraft Group visit - www.1941hag.org

For more information on Kent Piestch visit - www.piestchaircraft.com/airshows

For more information on the Jet Aircraft Museum visit - www.jetaircraftmuseum.ca

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