Abbotsford International Airshow

Text and Photography by Divan Muller

Held from August 5 to 7, the 60th Anniversary edition of the Abbotsford International Airshow had a stunning array of flying and static aircraft in its lineup.

A French Air Force Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) being moved into position for static display.

Aircraft types on static display included the A-10 Thunderbot II, F-15 Eagle, CH-149 Cormorant, Hawk and Harvard II. Two Dutch F-35s were also on display.

The Canadian Forces Skyhawks can always be relied upon for a tremendous display.

Pete McLeod provided a high-energy display in his Red Bull Extra EA-300 .

The GhostWriter Super Chipmunk used liberal amounts of smoke to create a fascinating display.

Crowds were treated with a memorable formation flight, consisting a World War II-era Douglas Dauntless and Vietnam War-era Douglas Skyraider. 

A Canadair CT-133 Silver Star flew in formation with a CF-18 Hornet.

A NORAD formation flight consisted of an American F-15 Eagle and Canadian CF-18 Hornet.

Spectators were able to see rescue demonstration with a CH-148 Cyclone.

A Messerschmidt Bf-109 (built under licence in Spain) was dwarfed by a B-17 bomber. The formation was joined by a P-47 fighter.

A US Air Force C-17 Globemaster III showed some of its tactical flying abilities.

Kent Pietsch flew three very different, but equally impressive and entertaining, displays with his Interstate Cadet.

The airshow's biggest highlight was no doubt the formation display by the US Air Force Thunderbirds.

Following an incident involving one of its CT-114 Tutors, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds did not perform at the Abbotsford Airshow. Instead, the show was concluded by a solo display by the RCAF's CF-18 Demonstration Team.