The return of the public in large numbers
Aviation enthusiasts responded in large numbers to the call of the Aero Gatineau-Ottawa 2022 organizers, as the Gatineau Airport site was filled with visitors. Last year, the ‘drive-in’ formula limited the number of spectators to 5,000 for the entire weekend, but the 2022 edition attracted more than 12,000 visitors, 8,000 of which were on Saturday during the first day of the show, and only 4,000 on Sunday, due to bad weather. Even if at first glance we still seem far from the figures of the 2019 edition with its record attendance of nearly 20,000 people, the 2022 edition did well with 12,000 visitors for only two days of entertainment, and this despite the bad weather on Sunday.
The exclusive zone
As with every year, Aero Gatineau-Ottawa offered access to an exclusive zone, called the ‘Front Row Club’, to enjoy the best possible view along the runways. This is a privileged location with access to exclusive seating in the central airshow area, as well as a catered dinner with beverages and two complimentary drinks at the bar. The cost of $150 per day is very reasonable compared to other Canadian events, where access to the VIP tent costs up to $275 per day.
A new management of the ticketing service
This year, many people were surprised and annoyed by the new management of the ticket office. In the past, you could buy your ticket online in presale, but you could also buy your ticket at the entrance. This year, visitors could not buy their tickets onsite. At the access points of the site, there were only attendants with scanners to read the barcodes of printed or electronic tickets on the spectators’ cell phones.
This caused surprise among regulars arriving without a pre-purchased ticket, for whom the only option was to purchase their ticket online on their smartphones. This caused discontent among some people who had to turn back because they were not familiar with this technology.
The most imponderable factor of airshows is always the weather
The Aero Gatineau-Ottawa weekend had started well on Friday for the general practice under a beautiful sun, and after a first day of record-breaking shows on Saturday, the weather forced the organizers to cancel part of the activities on Sunday. However, Sunday afternoon's events were not cancelled due to rain, but rather due to low cloud cover that jeopardized the safety of the pilots. The people of Aero Gatineau-Ottawa are used to having airshows in the rain, and many aircraft can perform in the rain, but never without good visibility.
Safety first
Aero Gatineau-Ottawa is in its fifth year without an accident and the organizing committee, composed of aviation professionals, coordinates its safety procedures with Transport Canada, the Gatineau and Ottawa police and emergency services, and the Canadian Army. All aircraft had to adhere to strict safety rules and perform aerobatic maneuvers only in a designated area above the Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport ground away from spectators and buildings. Everything was done to ensure the safety of the performers, crews and spectators.
Some notable absentees
This year the list of performances was long and diverse with almost 30 acts, including high caliber guests, but one major absence was felt. The Snowbirds Demonstration Team from 431 Air Demonstration Squadron at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan were absent in Gatineau, having been grounded following an accident that occurred during take-off in British Columbia on August 2nd. The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) ordered an operational pause of its fleet of venerable Canadair CT-114 Tutor aircraft on August 10 to conduct an operational airworthiness risk assessment. This pause was lifted on September 20 by the RCAF and it was only in the first days of October that the investigators’ report revealed that a poorly assembled oil filter was the cause of the aircraft’s engine failure, which led to an emergency landing. Finally, all their other shows scheduled for the rest of the 2022 season were cancelled.