Airdrie Air Show 2013

One of my passions and interests is aviation. Been interested in planes and space ever since I was a small kid. I think the moon landing in July 1969 triggered my interest. Remember watching it on TV at the time ... so scared for those brave men on the moon!

I attended an airshow in Airdrie (near Calgary) on July 14, 2013. The highlight was an aerobatic display by Canadian Forces Snowbirds. Shot a brief video of the 9 Snowbirds approaching the airfield (see below for link).

Attached are a few photos of various planes on display at the airshow. Note the helicopter photo with camera and microwave transmitter underneath. These helicopters are used for live aerial broadcast in major Canadian cities during rush hours. A lot of technology in these choppers to achieve this feat. Helos are owned by a company called “Canadian Traffic Network” (CTN) and leased by TV and radio broadcasters like Global and others. Rental cost is about $1,000 per hour !

I also spoke to a young helicopter pilot. He told me it cost him $70,000 to become a fully qualified helicopter pilot. I had no idea it was so expensive. He now flies tourists and occasional news crews for CTN.

A general note on Alberta airshows. They are held bi-annually in Airdrie, Red Deer, Lethbridge and Edmonton. The shows at Edmonton and Lethbridge are more substantial because they are proper international airports with long runways. I saw a B-52 bomber close-up one time in Edmonton. Scary looking beast ... made to kill enmass!

My scariest moment in aviation was when I visited the old ‘Strategic Air Command’ (SAC) near Omaha, Nebraska a few years ago. It is now a museum. There were a real atomic and a real hydrogen bomb on display (minus the uranium and plutonium and the explosive triggers). Very scary to stand next to one and touch it. Size was about 6 ft. high by about 9 ft. long. One of those dropped on Calgary would pretty much wipe out all living things!

Seeing these things live is definitely a different experience than seeing them on TV or online. I think these guys cheat death every time they do these crazy aerial maneuvers. The guy piloting the Oracle plane is called Sean D. Tucker. Apparently he is one the best stunt pilots in the world.  As an aside, Larry Ellison – CEO of Oracle, is a serious aviation fan and pilot himself. Has a large collection of planes and jets at San Jose airport ... including a couple of Russian MiGs. Big boys and their toys!

Click on any movie or picture thumnal for slide show.

Canadian Forces Snowbirds aerobatics display at Airdrie Airshow	Lockheed Electra Water Tanker approach & landing Airdrie Airshow	Airdrie Airshow July 14 2013	Bomardier Dash-8 aircraft (Airdrie Airshow - July 14, 2013)
Canada Dash 8 aircraft used for aerial surveillance - (Airdrie Airshow - July 14, 2013)	Harrier Jumpjet Airdrie Airshow - July 14, 2013	Helicopter for airborne live broadcast, owned by Canadian Traffic Network Airdrie Airshow - July 14, 2013	L39 jet trainer Airdrie Airshow - July 14, 2013
L39 jet Airdrie Airshow - July 14, 2013	Summary of L39 specs. Airdrie Airshow - July 14, 2013	Lockheed Electra Air Spray close-up Airdrie Airshow - July 14, 2013	Lockheed Electra in flight Airdrie Airshow - July 14, 2013
Nitrogen gas gauge on L39 fuselage - note CCCP Airdrie Airshow - July 14, 2013	Oracle Challenger-II aerobatic biplane	Augusta helicopter	Canada Dash 8 aircraft used for aerial surveillance
Canadian Forces Bell helicopter	Rolls Royce Pegasus engine ID for Harrier Jumpjet	Snowbirds in formation - close up	US Navy 2 seat trainer