Last week we spent time reviewing some of the aircraft and performers that participated in the Tillsonburg Regional Airport 2012 Airshows. This week we'll return to the airshow to see what else, and who else, made an appearance at the event!

Up next was Rick Volker in his brightly painted Sukhoi Su-26 performing his own aerobatic display. As always, Rick flies the Sukhoi to the airplane's limits, doing things in the airplane that defies gravity and goes against what most pilots consider 'normal' flight. The performance of the Su-26 is bested only by Rick's ability to make the airplane do things that turn heads and, most likely, turn some stomachs as well.

Danny Richer returned to the air, for the third time during the day, in his unique and beautiful BAC Strikemaster. This airplane is an advanced, light attack version of the British training jet, the Jet Provost. Danny flew an assortment of passes, including a "down and dirty" pass showing the slow flight abilities of the aircraft.

Not to be outdone, the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association and their aerobatic partners in flying, the Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team, took to the air giving the spectators some 4-plane formation passes. Shortly afterward, 8 Harvards formed up and flew a spectacular 8-plane formation, making several passes. These iconic former RCAF training aircraft were among thousands of training aircraft of this type that participated in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) during World War II, training thousands of Allied pilots to fly before heading overseas to join in the common fight against the Axis forces. They are among the most meticulously and well maintained aircraft of their type that survive today.

The CHAA/CHAT Havard formations ended this part of the Tillsonburg airshow for the day. However, a little more than a week later, the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds arrived at Tillsonburg Regional Airport to, if you will, finish off the first airshow with a show of their own.

The team had been performing on the east coast of Canada in Prince Edward Island (PEI) and made the trip the day before the Tillsonburg airshow flying from PEI to Kingston, Ontario and then on to Tillsonburg. Snowbirds #10 and #11, the teams two advanced and safety pilots, were the first to arrive in the early afternoon. The remainder of the Squadron, Snowbirds #1 through #9, arrived later in the day, about 90 minutes after scheduled, due to inclement weather on the east coast.

That evening a sort of meet and greet with the Snowbirds Team members, pilots and crew, was given inside the CHAA hangar. An assortment of presentations were made and then invited guests and Snowbirds crew members sat down to an enjoyable meal of BBQ'd chicken, pulled pork, sausages and/or hamburgers, along with assorted salads and desserts. An enjoyable evening was had by all before the Snowbirds pilots headed off for a rest before the airshow the following day.

On airshow day, crowds began to swell at the airport in anticipation of the Snowbirds performance. Though the airshow wasn't scheduled until after 5pm, several thousand spectators filled the grounds, chatting with CHAA pilots, crews and members and enjoying the opportunity to walk around some of the airplanes around the hangar. Not long after 5pm, the Snowbirds pilots boarded their awaiting aircraft and started up. The spectator fenceline swelled to capacity as everyone gathered for a look at their RCAF heroes.

The airshow was a great success with the Snowbirds displaying many of their classic formations along with some new, additional ones added for the 2012 airshow season, such as the 1812 split. Crowds eyes were glued to the sky, seemingly watching with awe. The biggest smiles were on the faces of the younger members of the crowd who kept their gazes skyward throughout the performance, until every Snowbirds Tutor had landed.

After the Snowbirds pilots had shutdown their aircraft, they made their way to the awaiting and adoring crowds and, despite the time of day, they stayed and signed autographs on Snowbirds pamphlets, t-shirts, photos, home-made welcome signs and assorted other items including a gentleman who brought a three foot balsa model Harvard wing, having each member of the team sign the underside.

This ended the Tillsonburg Regional Airport Airshow 2012 2-day airshows. It was a great success and set the stage for a semi-annual airshow, with the next to be held in 2014. Mark your calendars because the expectation is that their next airshow will be even bigger…. and better!

For more information about the Tillsonburg Regional Airport: tillsonburgairport.ca

For more information on the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association: harvards.com

For more information about the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds: snowbirds.dnd.ca

For more information about Rick Volker: rvairshows.com

For more information on Gord Price: thedampub.ca (click on the AIr Show link)

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