Canada’s aviation history on display at Aero Gatineau-Ottawa Air Show

The sky has come alive in the National Capital Region, as the Aero Gatineau-Ottawa airshow takes off. CTV’s Dylan Dyson reports.

The Gatineau-Ottawa air show is in full flight this weekend at the Gatineau airport as iconic Canadian aircraft are on display.

“We have the Snowbirds, we have the F-18’s, we have an MiG-17, we have the Canadian Skyhawk parachute jump team,” says John Bennett, Director General of Aero Gatineau-Ottawa.

Bennett says the weekend-long event opened Friday with good attendance and perfect weather, and ticket sales show there is strong interest from the National Capital Region.

“Every year, we’ve had growth. Last night’s numbers are not firm, but there was around 4,500 people, which is pretty good for a half a day. [Saturday’s] numbers are expected to be somewhere in the 7,000 range, and tomorrow about 6,500, based on ticket sales.”

Taking off in a Supermarine Spitfire on Saturday, Dave Hadfield—brother of Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield—said air shows such as Gatineau’s are important for connecting with the community and propelling Canada’s aviation history forward.

“Every community should know that they have access to their airport, the airport is theirs,” Hadfield said to CTV News.

“The more events that bring people out to it, the more contact there is and more likely the airports will stay part of those communities.”

From Canadian Armed Forces aircraft to the fighter jets that inspired “Top Gun”, aviation history is being put centre stage this weekend.

“It keeps a sense of history alive and actually brings it to young people in a way that they wouldn’t ordinarily normally get exposed,” says Hadfield, who has one message for attendees this weekend.

“Embrace Canada’s historic aviation culture, because we do aviation better than just about any country on Earth, and sometimes we take that for granted.”

Also on display this weekend, the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team known as the Skyhawks, and Boneshaker, a jet engine powered truck that can reach speeds of 300 miles per hour.

Sunday is the air show’s final day, with displays on show from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bennett says for those still eager to attend, there are easy ways of getting to and from the airstrip.

“You can park one of five parking lots in the city of Gatineau and catch the shuttle straight to the front gates of the of the show. The shuttles are free. Also, you can take STO buses for free to the last bus stop and catch one of our shuttles to the site.”

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