A formation of seven of the Snowbirds flew in the Canadian International Air Show on 7-September-2009
TORONTO, ONTARIO - The Canadian International Air Show has traditionally been a highlight of Labour Day weekend in Toronto, providing entertainment above the last weekend of the Canadian National Exhibition. The Snowbirds Demonstration Team from the Canadian Forces capped off the show with its graceful formations using nine CT-114 Tutor aircraft.
All nine Snowbirds formed a line at the end of the Canadian International Air Show in Toronto, Ontario on 6-September-2009
While the Snowbirds certainly provided a good show, I had grown up on the United States Navy's Blue Angels and their annual performances in Seattle (Seafair) and San Francisco (Fleet Week). I had long wanted to watch their F/A-18 Hornets perform in the same show as the Snowbirds to create a comparison based on something other than decaying memories. This year, that chance came as the Blue Angels joined the Snowbirds in the Canadian International Air Show.
The Blue Angels performed above Lake Ontario in Toronto, Ontario, a new addition to the Canadian International Air Show on 6-September-2009
The Blue Angels and the Snowbirds indeed provided a cultural contrast. While Canadian group flew comparatively quiet planes which mostly took on graceful formations and maneuvers requiring multiple aircraft and even formed a heart in the sky, the Blue Angels were all about in-your-face impact with loud fly-bys, fast maneuvers, and immediate visual impact.
Always popular with the crowds, the "heart" formed by the Snowbirds was noted above Lake Ontario during the Canadian International Air Show on 6-September-2009
The air show was not all about jets. A variety of acrobatic performers were included, including Mike Wiscus, Matt Chapman, and Mike Goulian. This year, there was even a CH-146 Griffon helicopter demonstrating the Canadian Forces' search and rescue capabilities with people jumping from the helicopter into Lake Ontario.
The Canadian Forces demonstrated their search and rescue capabilities with a CH-146 helicopter off Toronto, Ontario on 6-September-2009
One of the best features of air shows are the fly-bys that feature aircraft not normally seen together flying in formation. An especially nice fly-by in this year's Canadian International Air Show featured two P-51 Mustangs, a F-16 Viper, and a F-22 Raptor. The planes had previously performed separately.
The "United States Heritage Flight" featured two P-51 Mustangs, a F-16 Viper, and a F-22 Raptor on 6-September-2009
The only major problem with the Canadian International Air Show is that the air space for the show is south of the spectators on the Toronto shore, so that they are always looking into the sun while watching the show. It is possible to watch the show from the southeast at Humber Bay Park, but that location is much farther from some of the action. The best part of that location is that downtown Toronto and the CN Tower form the backdrop for some of the show.
The Blue Angels flew past the CN Tower in Toronto, Ontario as viewed from across Humber Bay on 7-September-2009
Many more photographs from the Canadian International Air Show will be included in a future update to my photo site.
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