High flying action - Planes performing barrel rolls, loops and high speed manoeuvres sored over the skies during Medicine Hat Family, Fun and Flight show Monday that including show flights from the Northern Stars Aeroteam, HALO and a solo performance from the North American Harvard, a WWII plane.--NEWS PHOTO BRENDAN MILLER
bmiller@medicinehatnews.com
A pilot’s voice crackles over the loud speaker requesting air traffic control to begin with take off procedures as hundreds of spectators await the roar of the Northern Stars Aerobatics team L-39C jet trainers as they taxi the runway to kick off the Medicine Hat Family Fun & Flight Airshow.
The free air show that runs every two years at the Medicine Hat airport attracts hundreds of spectators with their eyes peeled to the skies as highly trained pilots perform astonishing manoeuvres while controlling stick and rudder air crafts without the use of computers.
The air show ran throughout most of the day Monday allowing guests to get up close with several varieties of aircraft that were on display, speak to pilots and hop inside the cockpits for a photo opportunity.
Organizers tell the News they hope the airshow is able to inspire the next generation of pilots in the region.
“We want to make sure that we can have as many people exposed to aviation as possible,” says board member Tricia Nardari. “We want people to see it and we want people to experience and touch it and talk to the pilots and grow a love for it.”
At 6 p.m. the Northern Stars Aerobatics team took to the air with a 22-minute routine including tricks called the ‘takeoff roll’ and ‘half Cuban eight roll.’
“They go up a do a fully aerobatic performance,” explains Nardari. “So they are looping and they are rolling and they are diving and they’re doing all the things that people want to see.”
HALO air-ambulance followed the Northern Stars Aerobatics team with a flight demonstration showcasing the manoeuvrability of the helicopter that included going completely backwards while pitching its nose at a 50 degree angle.
The final flight was performed by a plane used to train pilots in Medicine Hat during the Second World War called the North American Harvard II, or T-6 Texan in the U.S.
Flying high into the smoky skies above the airport, this particular Harvard model was built in 1952 and was used in service for 15 years as an advanced fighter aircraft used to train pilots after they learned the basics of flight.
The flight served as a tribute to the Royal Canadian Air Force which is celebrating its 100th anniversary of providing Canadian Forces with ‘relevant, responsive and effective air power.’
“Those are really a nice tribute aircraft to be able to remind people where we’ve come from,” says Nardari.
The bi-annual airshow is free for all guests and was made possible this year with the help of community sponsors and a $10,000 community vibrancy grant from the city. The air show also partnered with Prairie Rose School Division with a direct capital investment to help purchase tents and tables and other items needed to host large public events.
Board members say the airshow typically takes 18 months to organize and requires hundreds of volunteers hours to put on.
Flights concluded around 7 p.m as the North American Harvard II made its close final pass under the hazing skies.
