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AERO Gatineau-Ottawa

Snowbirds update, new performances and extended show schedule

ONLY ONE WEEK LEFT UNTIL AERO 2022!
Snowbirds update, new performances and extended show schedule

Gatineau, September 9, 2022 – Aéro Gatineau-Ottawa received confirmation today that the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will not be performing in the show this year. Following an incident on August 2, 2022 involving one of the Snowbirds’ Tutor aircraft, the team has been put on operational hiatus. “We had all hoped that the pause would be lifted in time for them to participate in our fifth edition, but work to identify the cause of the incident is still ongoing. The safety of the team is of the utmost importance and we respect the investigation process that is underway,” said John Bennett, Director General of the event.

Despite this announcement, Aero Gatineau-Ottawa is proud to offer for its 5th edition an incredible line-up of vintage aircraft, jets and breathtaking aerobatic acts, including the US Air Force with their massive A-10, the Canadian Forces CF-18 Demonstration Team, the Canadian Forces SkyHawks, the three Snowbirds veterans the Northern Stars with their flamboyant biplanes, and dozens of other acts that are as moving as they are stunning. And that’s not even counting the premiere of the race between the Bone Shaker Jet Truck and Rick Volker at the wheel of his Sukhoi SU-26M, which is sure to be one of the most exciting moments for the public!

In addition to this already impressive line-up, Aero Gatineau-Ottawa is pleased to announce two other acts for the first time in the region:

– New performance – Kyle Fowler with his Long EZ!
Long EZ Kyle Fowler
Kyle’s plane, the Long EZ, is the perfect combination of comfort and style. While not capable of aggressive aerobatics, the Long EZ makes up for it well with its unique look. This small tandem seated aircraft has an impressive range of 1000 nm and a cruising speed of 160 knots. It will be a feast for the eyes to see it twirl through the Outaouais sky!

– New Performance – Trevor Rafferty with his highly modified Pitts 12!

Ontario’s Trevor Rafferty builds his own planes, each one more complex and more powerful than the last. His current aircraft (number 5) is the largest and most impressive of the group. The Pitts Model 12 is a traditional-looking biplane with 1930s barnstormer appeal, but with 400 horsepower and extremely light weight; it has as much or more power than most modern factory-built aircraft and is hand-built, one-of-a-kind.

Extended show schedule
Because of this impressive line-up, Aero’s performances will begin at approximately 10:30 a.m. each day instead of noon, and conclude at approximately 4:30 p.m. The schedule is identical on both days. Here is the tentative schedule (subject to change without notice):

Limited capacity – Discount on tickets until September 12
Aviation and thrill seekers are encouraged to purchase their tickets before September 12, in order to receive a discount on the gate price, but more importantly, to secure a place! Tickets are selling fast, with over 70% of the inventory sold for the day on Saturday.