The aerial feats on display during Wings Over Springbank continue to wow crowds while supporting worthy charities
Not only will the July 27-28 air show thrill thousands of spectators below, but all the proceeds will also be contributed to Wellspring Calgary.
Brought to the Springbank Airport biennially, the event is a feast for the eyes on the ground and high above in the sky.
More than 60 types of aircraft are part of the air show, celebrating both the now and the past. The show also coincides with the 50th anniversary of the YBW Springbank Airport, one of Canada's busiest regional airports.
Sarah Van Gilst, chair and event producer, says this show offers a bit of everything.
"We've got warbirds, we've got fast, we've got precision. We have pretty much everything you could hope for in terms of aerobatic flying," says Van Gilst.
For the fourth time, Canada's beloved and renown Snowbirds will be performing maneuvers above with its nine-plane demo plane. Major Denis Bandet, a pilot who first learned to fly at the Springbank Airport, will be leading a spectacular performance.
The Canadian Air Force's F-18 Demo Team is also returning.
Brent has a colleague with a matching Pitt so we're going to have two pretty yellow Pitts flying together in the air this year. That's brand new and it will be the first time anybody gets to see it."
Team Rocket, an Alberta based dual act of high energy precision flying by Ken Fowler and Eric Hansen, will be returning.
"Both fly Harmon Rockets so they're fast and dynamic," says Van Gilst.
Three warbirds from the Erickson Aircraft Collection will be flying, a P-40, P-47 and SBD Dauntless, a dive-bomber that became a vital combative plane in the Second World War.
"What is really interesting about the SBD is there are only four of them flying in the world today."
The last show attracted 15,000 spectators over two days and Van Gilst says they aspire to hit the 20,000 mark this year.
The larger the crowd, the bigger the benefit for Wellspring, she points out.
"One of our biggest motivators is we're doing this all for charity. Wellspring does wonderful work and we're hoping to raise a whole bunch of money for them. So the more people that come out to the show, the more that goes back to the community in support of a local charity. We hope people will recognize that and take advantage of it."
Wellspring is a network of community-based support centres offering programs and services that meet the emotional, social, practical and restorative needs of people living with cancer and those who care for them. All Wellspring programs, services and resources are offered free of charge and without a referral.
Van Gilst has been a longtime fan of airshows and everything aerial.
"I remember going to air shows as I kid in Red Deer. I grew up during the Top Gun era and I wanted to be a fighter jet pilot.
Producing air shows has since become a family affair. Her sister helped to found an air show in Whitecourt 11 years ago with her husband. Her brother-in-law is also a hobbyist pilot.
In addition, she says they have a great team of volunteers who share the same passion.
"All the people on the ground, all those helping people park and move around are volunteers. It's a 100 per cent volunteer organization. We do it because we love the event. We believe in Springbank and what that community has to offer to aviation."
Bob Sartor, president and CEO of the Calgary Airport Authority will be making a presentation on Saturday to commemorate the airport's 50th anniversary.
It may surprise people when they hear it's one of Canada's busiest airports. In 2018 alone, they had 137,000 aircraft movements. Besides offering support to the Calgary International Airport, it's home to several airplane and helicopter schools, aircraft sales, maintenance and storage facilities and is well used by hobby pilots.
"Business is thriving at the Springbank Airport. It raises people' s interest and awareness of aviation both as hobbyists and as a potential career path. It will continue to help Springbank grow."
Cochrane area residents have two ways to get to the airfield, via a park and ride or by driving there directly and taking advantage of bountiful parking.
A free park and ride will be operated from the Crowfoot LRT station. It's a half-hour round trip from the LRT station and it saves the hassle of parking and dealing with traffic congestion. The buses have a separate gate and entrance/exit road.
It's easiest to purchase tickets in advance through their website www.wingsoverspringbank.com.
Several pricing options are available. Admission is free for children under 3 years old and there's youth, family, seniors and group discounts available.
Sun, May 19, 10:00 AM
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