Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Snowbirds

Each April, the Canadian Snowbirds do their pre-season training in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. An excerpt from the Snowbird site:

The squadron will train from 19 Wing Comox for the next three weeks, until April 25.

Pre-season training is an annual event where the squadron deploys away from its home base in Moose Jaw, Sask to get used to flying over varied terrain and under different flying conditions.

With the luxury of having mountainous terrain as well as open water nearby, the Comox Valley is an ideal location to prepare for the season.

"The squadron is looking forward to the 2010 season as we celebrate our 40th season" said Maj Hope.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are Canada's air demonstration team, representing the skill professionalism and teamwork of the Canadian Forces.

On my previous post, I showed a few photos I managed to take just before the Snowbirds landed. Once I came home, I did some googling and found out exactly when these pre-training performances were taking place, and the best viewing spot. Arriving an hour beforehand to make sure I had a good location, I spent the next couple of hours thoroughly enjoying myself watching a spectacular display while overlooking some beautiful scenery.

Looking down at the beach:

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Everybody and their dogs turned up (well, especially the dogs!):

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Before long stereo speakers were set up by the Snowbird public relations team, and music started creating a party atmosphere. Spectators were welcomed to the "Snowbirds 2010" performance and it was amazing!

I have put a little video together combining slides and one piece of video so I could upload it to Photobucket.



I've also uploaded a few of my photos that are included in case you are unable to open the video.



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What a tremendous afternoon! I'll go back and watch it again (at least once more!) before they finish up here on April 25.

Here's a youtube video I found of the Snowbird Airshow Rehearsal from April 2009 which I found informative and fascinating!

Flighty, in his reply to my previous post, sent me this link which shows  the aircraft in flight - Air/Canadair-CT-114-Tutor.  Thanks Flighty. 

5 comments:

  1. When I read the title I was expecting a very different kind of Snowbirds but boy they are spectacular. BTW had nor problem uploading your vid.

    I think you've made Flighty's day with this post.

    BTW love your header pic, it's fab!

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  2. Looks like it was a truly spectacular show. Reminded me of the R.A.F.'s Red Arrows aerobatic team who undertake some really spectacular manoeuvres.

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  3. Yolanda's right this post got this rather cool, dull day off to a great start!
    Aerobatic teams are always good to watch, and to be able to do so like that away from a crowded airshow is a real bonus as far as I'm concerned.
    It looks like the weather was perfect for what was obviously a most enjoyable afternoon.
    Many thanks for sharing it with us! Flighty xx

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  4. I thought the same as YE -- I was thinking the feathered kinds of birds. The shots you got were fantastic! I'm always so impressed that they are able to keep in formation through all the swoops and turns. And how nice to have a glorious sky as their background.

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  5. Hi Yolanda ~ Glad you enjoyed the Canadian Snowbirds :) and that you were able to load the video. I was thrilled to see the performance as I'm sure most people would be...including Flighty! Thanks for the lovely comment re my header :)

    Hi John ~ It was spectacular ~ I might head back for more tomorrow! I'll google the Red Arrows. :)

    Hi Flighty ~ Yes, it was a great viewpoint and I wasn't aware that there would be representation from the Snowbird team in attendance, so that was kind of fun. It was also a perk for me going on a Monday afternoon ~ before retirement that wouldn't have been a possibility! The weather was perfect, as was today's. I'm glad to be able to share the afternoon :)

    Hi Nikki ~ I wondered if anyone would think I was referring to RV's who travel south in the winter! I'll have to try more of the one word titles, just for fun! Yes, it was a fantastic display and I don't know how they keep the flock together so well either, but I think they always keep the wing of the aircraft to the right in sight. I'm sure there's much more to it than that though! Temps have gone up to 15-18 C which is much better than the 8 - 10 we were having...lovely!

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