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
Board orders deportation for trucker in horrific Humboldt Broncos crash
The truck driver who caused the horrific bus crash involving the Humboldt Broncos junior hockey team has been ordered to be deported.
Community mourns victims of fatal boat crash near Kingston, Ont.
The three people killed in last weekend's tragic collision between a speedboat and a fishing boat north of Kingston are being remembered Friday.
A woman took her dog to a shelter to be euthanized. A year later, the dog is up for adoption again
Exhausted and short on options after consulting two veterinary clinics, Kristie Pereira made the gut-wrenching decision last year to take her desperately ill puppy to a Maryland shelter to be euthanized.
Group tied to Islamic State plotted fatal Ontario restaurant shooting: Crown
A gunman who is accused of killing a young Ontario man and shooting four of his family members at their small Mississauga restaurant in 2021 was allegedly part of a trio who had pledged allegiance to the listed terrorist group Islamic State, a Crown attorney said in an opening statement in the Brampton murder trial this week.
'A really bad car crash': Why health experts are raising concerns over surging syphilis cases
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) that was once thought to be a thing of the past is now a public health priority for North American doctors.
Purolator truck drivers from Guelph, Ont. save man walking in Hwy. 407 lanes
A pair of Purolator transport truck drivers from Guelph, Ont. are being hailed as heroes for their efforts in helping a person in crisis.
Trudeau responds to American senators calling on Canada to increase defence spending
Stopping short of offering the assurance U.S. senators are seeking, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said his government is aware there's more work to do in order to see Canada meet NATO's defence spending target.
Toddler dies after being struck by recycling truck in Barrie, Ont. neighbourhood
A toddler has died after being struck by a recycling truck in a Barrie, Ont. neighbourhood on Thursday afternoon.
Milk sold in Canadian grocery stores tested for avian influenza; results released
As avian flu spreads south of the border, Canadian officials are now testing samples of milk sold in grocery stores across the country.