The runway at the Saint John Airport will see major action this weekend. Air Show Atlantic takes flight in the port city for its inaugural stop. The annual event features a wide range of planes on the ground and in the sky. According to CTV News Atlantic, the show brings aviation history directly to you.

Inspiring Future Aviators

Airshow Executive Director Colin Stephenson says the two day event focuses on entertainment, appreciating Airforce veterans, and inspiring future pilots.

“We want to be able to find the ten year old who says maybe I will join Air Cadets,” says Stephenson. “Or their twenty year old who says maybe a good option for me is Canadian Forces, or someone else that says, you know, maybe community college and learning how to fix airplanes is my thing. We are in that business of getting to reach more of them when we go to more communities, and to bring this type of aircraft that is so rarely seen to a new location is very fulfilling.”

Historic Aircraft and the Snowbirds

You will see the Canadian Forces Skyhawks, Hawker Hurricane, and Second World War Spitfire fighter planes. Stephenson notes these Spitfires are making their first appearance in the Maritimes for a show.

“To bring them here is a piece of living history,” Stephenson says. “And to make something like that happen for this community is just a thrill for my team.”

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will also perform. The team retires following their final flight later this year.

“We are so proud to host them here in their legacy season,” Stephenson says. “The Snowbirds, they put bums in seats. They have been partners and friends of ours for generations now, and we are really sad to see them go. We wish all those pilots best of luck as they move into other jobs in the Canadian Forces, and we will look forward to their return in the future.”

A Passion for Flight

A Nanchang Chinese military training plane built in the 1950s also drew attention during the media day. Montreal area pilot Daneil Fortin flies the aircraft. He notes only about 25 of these planes exist in Canada.

“It is a love affair, and you cannot explain it,” Fortin says. “It is a passion about aviation, it is passion about airshow, but it is also a passion about sharing our passion.”

Fellow pilot Larry Ricker shares this sentiment. Ricker is a career pilot who flew in the Canadian Armed Forces and commercially for Air Canada. He flies a plane designed in 1915.

“It is really great to be flying this,” Ricker says. “More importantly, it is not just flying the airplane, but it is about telling the story of what this airplane was about, why it was designed, and what it did for Canada back over a hundred years ago.”

Thanking the Saint John Community

Saint John Airport CEO Court Edeburn calls the weekend a once in a lifetime experience for the region.

“Anything that can raise your profile is helpful, but not really the reason we are doing this,” says Edeburn. “For us and for me personally, we are putting in this effort because I want to say thanks to the community for supporting Saint John Airport. It is critical Saint Johnners and people in our region use the air service that we have here, and this is a good way to say thanks for coming.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Air Show Atlantic?

Air Show Atlantic is an annual aviation event featuring ground displays and aerial performances by historic and modern aircraft.

Where is the event taking place?

The event takes place at the Saint John Airport. This marks the inaugural stop for the air show in Saint John.

Will the Canadian Forces Snowbirds perform?

Yes. The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will perform during their legacy season before their retirement later this year.

What historic planes can I see at the show?

You will see Second World War Spitfire fighter planes, a Hawker Hurricane, a 1950s Nanchang Chinese military training plane, and an aircraft designed in 1915.