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 Abbotsford
Airshow Soars
to New Heights
by Ed Anderson
August 10, 11 and 12
witnessed gorgeous weather, for the 39th edition of
the renowned "Abbotsford Airshow." It was full sun,
outa neck, outa sight, blue sky! The only thing
better would have been a few white puffies in the
background for effect, but hey, who's complaining.
Between 15 and 18 million spectators attend
airshows throughout North America each year. The
latest statistics, also from the International
Council of Airshows rank Abbotsford #1 in Canada,
#2 in the Pacific Northwest, behind the Portland
Rose Festival show at Hillsboro, Oregon and #11
overall in North America. Regardless, an F-15 Eagle
airman was overheard
making the comment: "Abby is the place to be for a
super air show time!"
G ates
for the paying public opened 8am sharp and it
wasn't long before the parking lots were filling to
capacity. An exceptional attendance this year,
estimated to be considerably better than last
year's turnout of 160,000 for the three-day event.
Much of the credit, of course, is attributable to
the more than 1500 volunteers and a multitude of
corporate sector participants. As a matter of
interest, over the last few years service clubs
have received from the Abbotsford Airshow Society,
over $1 million for the various causes they
support. Truly a "community" effort!
Although the flying program
didn't begin until 10:30 or so, the ground show
served as a good start for the day. Lots of
exhibits, displays, demonstrations,
food/refreshment stands, kiddy rides and more, but
to most, best of all were the countless military
and civilian aircraft on static parade. Spectators
were given up-close access to many of the aircraft
and their aircrews - quite a treat, particularly
for the curious and thrilled youngsters, to whom
airplane names such as F-117 Nighthawk, Strike
Eagle, B-52 Stratofortress (BUFF), F-14 Tomcat,
A-10 Thunderbolt or 'Warthog,' Harrier Jump Jet or
AH1E-Cobra spark excitement and runaway
imaginations.
The Military presence was
impressive. Better than 40 aircraft of all types on
static, including the enormous transports: a C-5
Galaxy, the C-141 Starlifter and from Britain, a
Royal Air Force, Nimrod, MR2, Maritime Patrol jet
aircraft holding a crew of 13 and based at Kinloss
Scotland.
On the hotside ramp another
20 Military birds, including the first ever visit
to Canada of a pair of F/A-18 E/F Super Hornets.
This newest addition to the inventory of the United
States Navy is a next-generation strike fighter
built by the industry team of Boeing, Northrop,
Grumman, GE Aircraft Engines, Raytheon and 2000
other suppliers. The visiting pair were from
VFA-122 Squadron, "Flying Eagles" based at N.A.S.
Lemoore, CA. Lt. Cdr. Jeff Hyink did the honor of
demonstrating the capabilities of this new muscle
plane with 41,000 lbs of thrust.
Speaking of Hornets,
Canada's own 2001 Demonstration CF-18 from 4 Wing,
Cold Lake Alberta, painted in the 60th anniversary
colours of 410 Squadron, was likewise a show
stopper. Captains Lee "Midas" Vogan and Rick
"Slick" Williams with jet hours of 2500 and 1500
respectively were the demo pilots who alternatively
thrilled the crowds with spectacular aerial
routines as the show opener after the official
ceremonies at high noon. Other military flying
displays included an U.S.A.F. F-15 Eagle from the
West Coast Demonstration Team, with Capt. Matt
"Hoss" Wilson at the controls. A short flying
display was provided by an arriving AV-8B Harrier
II, which then retired to static position. Although
the awesome powerhouse B1-B Lancer, while ominous
in appearance, and much admired by airshow fans,
especially in fly-bys, the same enthusiasm is not
felt by local farmers. The cast of the B1's shadow
and accompanying noise, is, in the jesting words
the 'Shows' veteran announcers, Bob Singleton and
Roy Hafeli, enough to drive the local poultry
farmers to another occupation in the wake of
excited and featherless hens who produce square
eggs for weeks.
On the civilian side of
things, add again as many, if not more aircraft on
static and the active ramp with lots of variety:
homebuilts, kits, antiques, classics, warbirds,
etc., all nicely parked in amongst the military
'birds' for public viewing.
Again this year an abundance
of civilian acts on the flying schedule: Jimmy
"Jet" Franklin performing first, a solo routine and
later in the day with Wingwalker Carol Pilon on
Franklin's new/old mount, a 2000 horse, jet powered
Waco, called the "Red Rocket". The spectators loved
it. A 1937 UPF-7 Waco, prop powered by a P&W
R-985, Radial (450HP) enhanced with a T-38 (J-85)
jet engine, turning out 4500 pounds of thrust.
Whew!!, some kinda plane and some kinda flyin' and
impressive Wingwalking. Pilon, mentored by Margi
Stivers of the Silver Wings Wingwalking Team is the
only person other than Kyle Franklin to master the
wing of the Jet Waco.
The same kind of pizazz can
be said of Dan Buchanan, of Minden, Nevada,
piloting his engineless big Wing (Hang Glider) with
seemingly effortless style and always his
colourful, classy and entertaining chatter from the
sky. On the ground he's a laid back sort of guy,
rolling his wheel chair about with ease, kibitzing
with friends and fellow performers. I don't know
the man, but I've watched him do his stuff many a
time, with great admiration.
Mr. "Fly Everything" Bud
Granley was also there doing what he does best,
jockey airplanes. This year he displayed his skills
in the Yak 55, the Fouga Magister, and the Golden
Hawk Harvard, complete with his patent snap roll on
lift off. Several years ago I wrote Granley up as
the "Energizer Bunny."
Well he still is.
Other great acts included
Bill Carter in his Skydancer Pitts Special S2B, and
veteran pilot Rich Perkins in an L-39C Albatros
"Firecat," in a first time appearance at
Abbotsford.
Locals John Mrazek drove his
big Mk IV Harvard, "Pussycat II," and Donn
Richardson flew his zippy little Christen Eagle,
both entertaining the crowds with their own
aerobatic renditions. Then, there was Ken Pietsch,
who has a marvelous time with his good fun comedy
act exhibiting quite spectacular maneuvers in the
"Cubbish" Interstate Cadet, particularly the
deadstick free fall and landing -
incredible.
The forenoon activities
featured an R.C. Flying Model Aircraft
demonstration, flypasts of vintage biplanes and a
Mk. IV Harvard of the Museum of Flight, Langley,
B.C. Also something new and different, a local
fellow, Graham Force of Extreme Aerosport Artwork
actually painted a full front view aircraft on a
16' x 50' canvas behind the force of the propeller
wash of a big Harvard. The billing listed this act
as extreme and they weren't far awry on that
one.
Aside from the periodic
arrivals and departures of scheduled commercial
air-carriers, an Air Canada Airbus A340 provided
fly-bys and Helijet Airways displayed the qualities
of one of their fleet Sikorskys. Airliner buffs
too, are included at Abbotsford.
As it was last year, the
Warbirds were return visitors, pleasing many of us
with the piston powered sounds of what some
consider to be, the real airplanes. Ellsworth
"Getch" Getchell, of San Jose, CA, loves to display
his big beautiful Hawker Sea Fury, in Australian
Navy markings (N260X) - not to be confused with the
land type (Bagdad Fury). General William Anders, of
East Sound, WA, also takes great pride in showing
his sleek high altitude fighter of the WWII era,
N151AF, a P-51D Mustang, "Val Halla" powered by the
unmistakable throaty Merlin inline engine. These
two class act guys always give the audience plenty,
with some left over, from their magnificent
individual flying displays. "Getch" also teamed
with the Super Hornet crew of R."Gimp" Westendorf
and Jim "Clean" Slate for the Navy Legacy Flight
while General William Anders flew element with
Capt. Matt Wilson in the F-15 Eagle, for the Air
Force Heritage Flight. Wonderful heartwarming
stuff.
The days air action was
officially closed by non other than Canada's
national pride, the "Snowbirds." There was
considerable concern earlier in the year, when
their season schedule was unfortunately interrupted
by an air to air mishap over Lake Erie, Ontario.
Although a CT-114 Tutor went down, lives were
spared, thankfully. To everyone's delight, Canada's
ambassadors, 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron were
again performing July 20. It is an accepted fact
that Abbotsford would not be Abbotsford without the
"Birds." Their 30 minute ballet in the sky was in
every way up to their usual high standards,
performed to an always appreciative
That's about it for 2001.
Nothing super overwhelming on it's own, except
Jimmy Franklin, but just a heck of a nice, well
balanced airshow - something for everybody. Most of
all, it was good fun and judging from the crowds
and participants, I would say they will be back
next year which should be a big one - their 40th
anniversary.
Story by Ed
Anderson
Note: This article, with the
exception of several changes herein, was first
published in the September/October issue of World
Airshow News
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