Stellar lineup for 45th International Airshow

[tigershark]

 Stellar lineup for 45th International Airshow

JOHN VAN PUTTEN PHOTOS/ The Abbotsford News

Spectator is dwarfed by the U.S. Airforce Galaxy, a static display at last year’s Abbotsford International Airshow.

By SHEENA JACKSON
Abbotsford News

Jun 26 2007
Ron Price has long been involved with one of the biggest events of the year in Abbotsford, but he never gets tired of it.
Each year it attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all over B.C. and the U.S.   It’s a year-round job that involves serious planning and a budget of roughly $1.5 million.  But Price loves it.   â€œIt’s sort of a national treasure in a way,” said Price, president of the Abbotsford International Airshow Society.   â€œThis is our 45th year going on, and it’s recognized as one of the premier civilian-produced shows in the world.” In the weeks leading up to the three-day event, roughly 1,000 volunteers donate their time and skills.   A core group of volunteers work throughout the year, looking after the grounds, the out buildings and toilet facilities “making sure they’re in good shape,” said Price.   â€œWe couldn’t operate with them.” For this year’s show, which runs from Aug. 10-12, organizers have secured a number of special performers.   â€œWe have a very good show lined up this year, with some unusual aircraft,” said Price.   Crowds will see many different static and flying displays, some using aircraft from the Second World War.   One of the “big items” Price said show goers should look out for is the F-117 Nighthawk.   â€œIt was designed and built in such a way it avoids being seen by radar,” he said. “This is the last time anyone in Canada will see this because they’re decommissioning this plane.” It hasn’t been confirmed yet, but Price is hoping to have the F-117’s replacement, the F-22 Raptor.   Other performances include the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the Canadian Forces Skyhawks, the national aerobatic and parachute teams respectively.  The show will also feature a number of other ground events including popular pyrotechnics displays.   An estimated 125,000 people made a trip to the show last year, over the three days. Organizers are hoping for similar numbers, if not more, this year.   The show, said Price has “gained and earned a high reputation. It’s produced extremely well.” Also to its credit is the show’s clean safety record.   â€œWe make sure it’s safe and we make sure they have everything they need to produce a high quality event,” said Price.   People can pre-purchase tickets from a number of outlets and have a special entrance.  “I think the community continues to be proud of the event and they support it immensely,” said Price.   The show’s reputation is such that performers actually call and ask to participate.  “A group was here a couple of years ago and they have a regular circuit over North America and they marked Abbotsford as they’re favourite, number one,” said Price.   For the latest information on the air show, a list of performances and where to buy tickets, call 604-852-8511 or visit www.abbotsfordairshow.com.



http://www.abbynews.com/portals-code/list.cgi?paper=38&cat=23&id=1013444&more=0

[Gripen]

Um question.

The Raptors replacing the F-117? I thought the F-22 was replacing the F-15 not the -117

[Webmaster]

Well, the F-22 is the next and only 'stealth fighter' until the F-35 fills the "gap" left by the F-117. And it can drop some bombs, so it's some sort of replacement should the need arrise. Also for an airshow wanting to have a 'stealth fighter' on the programme, the F-22 is the F-117's replacement.

B-2 with JDAM is the real replacement if you ask me. And a good one, instead of a squadron of F-117s with LGBs you get one B-2 with 80 or so JDAMs, or 36 heavier ones. Can take out the same amount of targets, undetected.