As the proud daughter of a former Royal Canadian Air Force fighter pilot, I’ve grown up surrounded by airplanes and jets flying overhead. However, despite that expensive ongoing exposure (and likely resulting hearing loss), I still get excited by air shows: the planes booming across the sky, the always graceful choreography of the Snowbirds and being surrounded by crowds excited by the air power, and the history.
The annual Gatineau-Ottawa air show is one of the most exciting air shows in Canada, it’s right in our backyard in Gatineau, and it gets bigger and bigger every year. This year it takes place on Saturday September 15th from noon until 4pm (gates open at 9am) at the Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport.
As with most years, the Snowbirds and the F-18 Demo team are confirmed to be performing. However, when your eyes aren’t on the skies, there will be many current and historical airplanes, from as early as the First World War, on the ground to admire and some you can tour inside and sit in the cockpit. (If you go to the Air show’s website you can see the full list with pictures).
One of the most fun things I remember about air shows when I was a kid was being able to sit in some of the planes and talk to the pilots. But, at the Ottawa-Gatineau air show kids will also be able to get autographs and talk to the Snowbirds pilots after the performance.
There will also be lots of food, drink and lots of other displays to keep everyone entertained in between performances.
Also, for the first time this year, there will also be helicopter rides available for as low as $75 per person for groups of three.
Ultimately though, whether you’re a kid or not, there are many ways to enjoy the air show, including Photo Pit passes for those who want the absolute best, unobstructed view as well as tickets for the Hawk One VIP area with a catered lunch and cash bar. They are also always looking for bilingual volunteers to help out which gives you a full behind-the-scenes view of the whole production and Exclusive access to a thank-you party in the VIP section after an event.
The one very special plane flying at the air show that I’m most excited about (ok, maybe I am an aviation nerd) will be the Spitfire MK IX, a plane that helped win the Battle of Britain and ultimately the Second World War. In conjunction with the air show, “A Very Special Spitfire Evening” will be hosted for the public tonight at 6pm at the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum where they will be screening, for the first time in Canada, the UK documentary film “SPITFIRE”. Also in attendance will be Steve Milne, one of the producers of the film, and 99 year old Jaye Edwards, one of three remaining women Air transport Auxiliary Spitfire pilots from WWII, together with current Spitfire pilots. After the screening, there will be a Q & A discussion with the audience and a catered reception.
You can learn more about the air show, the planes, sign up to volunteer and purchase tickets for the air show by visiting the Ottawa-Gatineau air show website.