The Gathering
Quebec City, Canada, turns 400 this year and as part of their birthday celebration they organized what is probably the best air show of this season in North America.
Four of the worlds best air demonstration teams performed at this three day event. The show started with a dusk to evening performance of the Red Arrows, silhouetted against the setting sun. The evening continued with Skip Stewart in his modified Pitts S-25 stunt plane, and Gene Soucy with wing walking partner Teresa Stokes, then Blue Angels support Hercules, Fat Albert, hot air balloons and fire works. What a great start to the weekend.
The first full day of flying started with the Canadian Forces SkyHawks Parachute Team opening the show with the flags and national anthems of the three participating countries. The first demo team to take to the skies was the US Navy Blue Angels. This was a great start to the main part of the show and had the spectators on their feet. After about a half an hour of being dazzled by the Blue Angles it was time for the Red Arrows to take the stage and put on their full, daytime show. For many people in the crowd this was their first time seeing the Red Arrows and they were not disappointed. Quebec is a predominantly French speaking province and having the narration for their display in French was a nice touch. It showed that the Red Arrows really get to know and respect their audience. The people of Quebec loved them.
The show continued with stunt planes and the “Go Fast” jet pack demo. Next on deck were the US Air force Thunderbirds. But shortly after they took to the sky it started to rain and that put a soggy end to the day for most of the spectators. The next morning didn’t look very promising with a steady rain still coming down but as mid-day approached the clouds lifted and flying started again. This time it was the Canadian Forces Snow Birds that went up to show there stuff. Canadians are very proud of their Snow Birds and they put on a great display. Next on the loud and proud list was the Canadian Forces CF-18 demo and in the warm, humid air after the rain he was pulling lots of vapor. Finally it was time for the Thunderbirds to get a second chance after the rainout of the previous day. They went up and just like the CF-18 they were leaving vapor trails all over the sky. There was a small pause in the show while they landed one of the jets for a mechanical problem.
But as the announcer stated this was not serious but necessary for spectator and pilot safety. It did remind everyone how serious and professional these pilots are about their job. It was nice to see the pilots of the various teams joking around with each other and forming new friendships with their peers in this exclusive club. After all, they are not just fighter pilots, they are the best, fighter pilots that each country has to offer. Thunderbirds, Blue Angels, Red Arrows and Snow Birds, all at one show. Now that’s a gathering.
By Brian McNair