Celebrating 90 years of London air shows

It’s going to get loud in London, Ont., this week as military aircraft from Canada and the United States arrive at London International Airport for one of Canada’s largest military air shows.

The three-day event starts Friday, Sept. 7 at 4 p.m., when gates open for an evening show that is not to be missed.

Afterburners will light up the evening sky as various aircraft and acts take to the air. The late evening soft sunlight is perfectly positioned behind the crowd to light up the aircraft for photographers.

Canadian favourites, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Team will headline a show that will also feature a Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) CC-130H Hercules and CH-146 Griffon helicopter search and rescue demonstration.

The famed Canadian Forces parachute team, The SkyHawks, will jump into the show and dazzle spectators with precision multi-canopy formations and free fall manoeuvres.

Honouring Canada’s proud aviation heritage, spectators will also be treated to a flying display by a Red Knight T-33 replica from London’s own Jet Aircraft Museum.

Civilian aerobatic performers will include Mike Tryggvason in his Giles 202 and Canadian Red Bull Air Race pilot, Pete McLeod.

The U.S. Air Force will fly several aircraft in the show, including the F-5 Freedom Fighter, A-10 Thunderbolt, F-22 Raptor and F-16 Fighting Falcon. A U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight will also be performed with a P-51 Mustang and F-16 Viper Demo.

Paul Keepler will tear up the skies in his Canadian built, ex-RCAF F-86 Sabre, a classic first-generation fighter jet. Along with the SkyHawks, the United States Special Operations Command Parachute Team, “The Para-Commandos,” will also be jumping at Airshow London.

As always, a large assortment of military aircraft will be on static display. The U.S. Air Force’s largest aircraft, the C-5 Galaxy, will dominate the ramp along with a C-17 Globemaster. A KC-10, two KC-135s, anRC-135, two types of C-130s and a U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon will provide spectators with lots of aircraft to tour.

Fighters from various squadrons will include several examples of F-15s, F-16s and F-35A and C models.

Airshow London has a history of last-minute additions, so stayed tuned to its social media pages for updates this week.

More information can be found at airshowlondon.com