summer sortie

Canadian International Air Show 2011

Summer Sortie — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:54:59 +0000

First Flight of 346

Summer Sortie — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 02:05:00 +0000

Over the past two years members of the Jet Aircraft Museum of London, Ontario have worked tirelessly to return one of their Canadair CT-133′s to the sky. The jet is one of six that the museum acquired in April of 2009 and last served with 434 ‘Bluenose’ Combat Support Squadron as #133346.
Final checks on 346 got underway Sunday morning; by 3pm the jet was fueled, walk around completed, and JAM pilots Turbo Tarling and Joe Molnar were at the controls ready to take to the sky. The test flight lasted approx. 30 minutes and culminated with a perfect landing.
The Jet Aircraft Museum will be hosting an open house with a fundraiser BBQ lunch and beer tent in partnership with Doors Open London September 17-18th. Mako One will be on hand and the Canadian Harvard Association will be attending with their Harvard trainers. You can find more information through the following links.
www.jetaircraftmuseum.ca/
www.doorsopenlondon.ca/

CT-133 #346 Serving with 434 Combat Squadron - Canadian Forces Photo

The JAM crew prepping 346.

Pilots Turbo Tarling and Joe Molnar prepar to taxi

346 comes in for a perfect landing after a 30 minute test flight.

Waterloo Air Show 2011

Summer Sortie — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 15:49:58 +0000

The city of Waterloo had their eyes to the sky this past weekend for the third annual Waterloo Air Show. This years flying show seems to have grown in quality and reduced in quantity and that is a good thing. Four military demonstration teams showed their skills with the SkyHawks, CF-18 Demo, F-16 Viper East Demo, and the venerable Snowbirds, each showcasing their mastery of the sky. On the civilian side were performances from Kent Pietsch, Mike Wiskus, Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, Jet Aircraft Museum (CT-133), Vintage Wings of Canada (P-40N & F-86E), and Wayne Hadath (F1 Rocket).
While the flying acts were a marked improvement over past shows the static display seemed on par with last years offering, though lacking access to performing aircraft. Visitors were able to get up close with numerous planes and their flight crews including a USAF C-130H, CT-133, de Havilland DHC-2, de Havilland Vampire Mk.55, two North American T-28 Trojan’s, multiple planes from the Vintage Wings of Canada “Yellow Wings” tour and aircraft from the Dunnville Museum.
With such an amazing show for only their third year running the future of the Waterloo Air Show looks very bright.

Top Five Performances

5. A rare show from Capt. Erick O’Connor doing a full demo in a CF-18B due to his demo jet being down for repairs.

4. The first ever full performance by the Jet Aircraft Museums CT-133 Silver Shark Piloted by William “Turbo” Tarling who has well over 7500hrs on the T-33.

3. Mike Wiskus was in top form with an incredible display on Sunday.

2. Capt. Ryan “Rider” Corrigan’s demo on Sunday was off the chart thanks in part to moisture laden skies that Rider took full advantage of.

1. The Canadian Forces CF-18 Demo in full effect with Capt. Erick O’Connor at the controls of his demo jet.

A Giant Came to Town

Summer Sortie — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 19:22:37 +0000

On August 3rd the worlds second largest cargo jet an Antonov An-124 made a visit to London International Airport (CYXU). The An-124 operated by Volga-Dnepr Airlines made a delivery of military vehicles to General Dynamics Land Systems. The An-124 is a rare sight at CYXU. The last visit being June of 1994 when it picked up an Iarnród Éireann 201 Class locomotive for delivery to Ireland.

August 4th saw the departure of the An-124 to Charleston Air Force Base/International Airport.

Great Lakes International Air Show 2011

Summer Sortie — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 05:24:13 +0000

Thursday Evening Arrivals

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds arrived in flights of three for the Great Lakes International Air Show. Each flight did a few circuits between rain showers before landing at the St. Thomas airport. The Great Lakes International Air Show runs from June 24th to 26th.

The Canadian Forces Demo Hornet and a trainer variant arrived earlier in the afternoon and could be seen parked on the apron.

Friday Arrivals and Hour of Power Show

A Canadian Forces Griffon on arrival to CYQS for the Great Lakes International Air Show.

An A-10C from the Maryland Air National Guard pulls some vapour on an arrival pass.

This P-3 Orion came in a little hot which made for an exciting landing.

This Centennial of Naval Aviation Mentor’s paint scheme represents US Coast Guard aicraft from the 1930s.

Afterburners lit up the evening sky as pilot Capt. Erick O’Connor put his Hornet through a full demo which included an tailhook trap landing for the “Hour of Power” show.

Saturdays Show

Sundays Show

Hamilton Air Show 2011

Summer Sortie — Sat, 18 Jun 2011 12:21:37 +0000

It was beautiful day for an air show with lots of sun and a slight breeze. The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum hosted this show of vintage warplanes in preparation for their 40th anniversary show in 2012.

A short video featuring the Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team.

On static display was the Jet Aircraft Museums CT-133 “Mako One”. Now complete with full markings.

Another static was this de Havilland Canada DHC-1 Chipmunk owned by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum.

This Vintage Wings of Canada Hurricane was on static and flying display.

The Great War Flying Museum put on a fun show with their mock dogfight against the venerable “Red Baron”.

The Baron must of been having an off day as he was taken down by the tail gunner from the Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter.

Other aircraft filled the sky throughout the day including a P-40, FG-1D Corsair, SB2C Helldiver, AD-4 Skyraider, P-51, B-17′s and many others.

With next years show to include aircraft such as an Me262, Fw190 and a formation flight with a B-29, B-24, B-17 and Lancaster it is sure to be a huge success. The 40th anniversary show is scheduled for June 16-17th 2012.

Toronto Wings and Wheels Heritage Festival 2011

Summer Sortie — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 03:37:02 +0000

Canadian Aviation Expo 2011

Summer Sortie — Wed, 11 May 2011 02:24:23 +0000

April 30th marked the third anniversary of the Canadian Aviation Expo held at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. Blue sky’s and warmer than usual temperatures made for a perfect day to start the 2011 air show season.

The expo featured almost 75 exhibitors ranging from flight schools to airplane manufacturers there was a lot to see inside and out.

Numerous pilots took advantage of having their landing fees waived and flew in to enjoy the expo.

The star of the show was the Jet Aircraft museums CT-133 ex CAF #133577 painted as “Silver Shark” aka “Mako One”. This paint scheme was originally worn in 1992 by VU32 squadrons CT-133 #133504.

Visitors to the expo also had the chance to meet and chat with Canadian Forces fighter pilot Capt. David McLeod of Discovery channels “Jetstream” fame. He is currently with 419 Tactical Fighter (Training) Squadron flying the CT-155 Hawk to train Canada’s future fighter pilots. He is looking forward to when he can again be behind the controls of the CF-188 Hornet.

The Aviators tv crew could be seen scrambling around getting footage of JAMs CT-133 and Pete Mcleod with his new Edge 540 V3.

The SkyHawks Parachute Team were scheduled to make a jump at 11:15am. But after a couple of failed engine starts they finally got the jump plane (CASA-212-200) fired up and were able to make a jump around 3:00pm. It was worth the wait to see their captivating parachute formations.

Following the SkyHawks demonstration was JAM’s CT-133, wowing the crowd with two passes over show center.

With its landing came the close to an excellent day at the 2011 Canadian Aviation Expo.