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Fightermeet Airshow taking off July 20
The skies over the Rockies International Airport will be alive with the awesome and thrilling sights and sounds of air power on Wednesday, July 20.
East Kootenay residents and visitors are being blessed with the return of the Fightermeet Airshow, featuring the always mind-blowing Snowbirds of the Canadian Armed Forces, as well as the US Air Force’s F-16 Fighting Falcon, a multi-role fighter craft valued at about $14.6 million apiece. The USAF only conducts two F-16 demonstrations in Canada each year and Cranbrook is getting one of them.
Famed flyer Bill Cater will be on hand to demonstrate aerobatics and classic fans will see three Second World War flight fixtures with the Vought F4U Corsair, the Grumman F8F Bearcat and the P51 Mustang. In addition, two USAF A-10 Thunderbolts, CAF F-18 Hornets and the massive KC135 tanker will demonstrate their stuff along with other late additions to the show.
If you’ve never witnessed the Snowbirds in action, or any of the other flying formation teams, or attended an airshow, you are in for an ear rattling, chest pounding and jaw dropping experience.
The upcoming show is receiving much greater public support than the first crack at it in 2008, reported organizer Hank Dekker to City of Cranbrook council June 27.
The 2008 show “met with some criticism and skepticism – not so this time,” said Dekker, a retired fighter pilot.
“This event is of great importance to our region,” he said, adding, “It brands our region in another way and brings a cosmopolitan dynamic” to Cranbrook and region.
Dekker pointed out that airshows rank in the top three of all events in North America. “An airshow is a complex event,” he said.
“We’re all excited about the airshow,” commented Cranbrook Mayor Scott Manjak, noting that his wife Raeleen is doubly excited to see the show as her cousin is a pilot with the Snowbirds.
About 3,000 people attended the ’08 event and 5,000 are expected this time around.
Gates open at 2:30 for the static show and country fair and early-goers will be able to witness aircraft arriving for the show as well. The opening ceremony begins at 5:15 p.m., including a flag ceremony and honouring of troops and veterans. At 5:45 p.m. the Snowbirds take center stage and launch the aerial portion of the show, which will conclude at 9 p.m.
Ian Cobb/e-KNOW
