What to expect at this year’s Airshow London
The London International Airport is hosting Airshow London on their runways from September 8-10.
This year, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the U.S. Air Force F-22 Demo Team, the U.S. Air Force East Coast C-17 Demo Team, and US Navy Growler Demo team will highlight Canada’s largest military air show over the skies of YXU.
“We’ve got an incredible airshow this year,” said Jim Graham, chair of Airshow London. “It’s a sky drive format again so people will be able to park in parking spots and basically have a tailgate experience watching an airshow really close to the action.”
In 2020, Airshow London made history when it hosted a sold-out socially responsible and physically distant air show during the COVID-19 pandemic, dubbed “SkyDrive”.
It was Canada’s only air show that year and the first ever drive-in. Organizers say the success of the drive-in format will continue this September with a spectacular display of aviation power in the air and on the ground.
“The air display is something you’re not going to see anywhere in North America,” Graham added. “The static display, the airplanes you won’t see anywhere else. It’s just something special and something that makes London different than any other air show.”
Now in the fourth year, following three years of sold-out shows, SkyDrive continues to advance the guest experience by adding on-site attractions such as food trucks, vendors, STEM activities, and an extensive interactive ground display of military aircraft from the Canadian and U.S. air forces, navies, coast guards, and more.
Airshow London will also have fireworks and a drone display on Friday evening.
On Thursday morning, 300 students from aviation related programs or courses at Fanshawe College, Western University, and the Thames Valley District School Board (TVDSB), got the chance to meet the Snowbirds.
“This is why we do what we do. Get out and meet the public and impact people that are interested in aviation, and interested in the Canadian forces as well,” said Capt. Steven Sparks, a Canadian Forces Snowbird originally from Hamilton, Ont.
Capt. Sparks joined CFS in 2019 as Snowbird 6, with an Outer Right Wing position. He currently has over 2,100 hours of flying experience.
“We head to Gatineau for our next show. I’m excited for that and from there we are headed to back Moose Jaw for a week and then we head to California to close our season,” he said.
Organizers say the show will continue to run rain or shine.
—With files from CTV’s Melanie Borrelli
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Canucks claw out 5-4 comeback win over Oilers in Game 1
Dakota Joshua had a goal and two assists and the Vancouver Canucks scored three third-period goals to claw out a 5-4 comeback victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series Wednesday.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.