Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Patrouille de France to soar over Gatineau at Aero 150

Vintage Wings of Canada and the City of Gatineau have announced Aero150, a once-in-a-lifetime aviation spectacle to be held at the Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport on Sunday, April 30, 2017. Gates open at 9 a.m. and the aerial display will take place from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. in honour of Canada 150 and the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the Patrouille de France of the French Air Force (l ‘Armée de l’Air) will soar over the skies of Gatineau in a display of friendship, freedom and the historic ties between Canada France. Aero 150 is the only Canadian stop on the Patrouille de France United States 2017 tour.

Admission is free. Parking is $10.

To reinforce the historic bond between Canada and France, which was strengthened during the Battle of Vimy Ridge in 1917, and subsequently on the ground, in the air and at sea during the Second World War and beyond, Vintage Wings of Canada will host this historic air show and provide air and static displays of its own wartime aircraft, warbirds that played a vital role in securing victory in Europe and helped secure the peace and freedom we enjoy today.

“Vintage Wings of Canada is proud to be hosting Aero150, along with our friends and neighbours at the Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the RCAF, La Patrouille de France, l’Armée de l’air as well as our partners, sponsors, performers and volunteers who are working tirelessly to make this event a success,” John Bennett, director general, Aero150. “Through their generous support, particularly that of our sponsors, we will be able to mount a once-in-a-lifetime aviation spectacle that celebrates a key milestone in the history of our great country and generations of cooperation, friendship and freedom between Canada and France. The people of Ottawa and Gatineau are in for a great show.”

Scheduled performers (subject to change without notice):

• Vintage Wings of Canada – Hawker Hurricane, Vought F4U Corsair and P-51 Mustang – air display;
• Canadian Forces Snowbirds – CT-114 Tutor – air display;
• La Patrouille de France et l’Armée de l’Air – Dassault/Dornier Alpha Jet, Airbus A400M Atlas – air display & static display respectively;
• Royal Canadian Air Force – CT-142, Dash 8, Harvard II, CH-147 Chinook helicopter, CH-146 Griffon helicopter, CF-18 Hornet;
• Starduster SA300 – Aerobatic aircraft – static display; and
• Royal Air Force – Typhoon FGR4 – static display.

Plans are being made to livestream Aero150 on Facebook starting at 11 a.m. EST in order to give veterans (and other Canadians who cannot attend the show) the opportunity to enjoy this thrilling tribute to the service and sacrifice made by veterans on our behalf.

“The Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport is pleased and honoured to be the site of this unique airshow that will see the performances of two great aerobatic teams,” said Nicole Loreto, board of directors, Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport. “We have the resources and the capability to meet all operational requirements of both teams safely and effectively and look forward to mounting the safest, most successful airshow yet in Gatineau.”

Aero150 includes a flypast over Parliament Hill on Monday, May 1, 2017, by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the Patrouille de France.

Aero150 would not be possible without the kind and generous support of our sponsors and partners, including the Michael Potter Collection, the Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport, the Patrouille de France, l’Armée de l’air, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the Royal Canadian Air Force, the French Embassy in Canada, CAE, Boeing, the City of Gatineau, Tourism Outaouais, Gatineau 2017, the City of Ottawa, Ottawa 2017, Airbus, Trescal, Thales, Space Flight Insider and Vision Media Plus.

“The RCAF is proud and excited to be a part of the Patrouille de France’s visit in April, and we are delighted that they have asked our Canadian Forces Snowbirds to join them in performing at Aero 150,” said BGen Michel Lalumière, director general Air Force Development, Royal Canadian Air Force. “Canada’s RCAF and France’s Armée de l’Air have long been friends and Allies, and this coming together of our national air demonstration teams will be a symbol of that friendship and alliance.”

“The Embassy of France is proud to bring together the military aerobatic teams of Canada and France, with support from other allies, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Battle of Vimy Ridge and to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday. The RCAF and France’s Armée de l’air have a long-standing relationship (‘shoulder to shoulder’) and, together with their allies, are ready to meet changing international challenges and contribute to international peace, stability and security,” said Col Bertrand Cadour (Air) Attaché/Defence Attaché, representing Nicolas Chapuis, Ambassador or France in Canada.

”Gatineau is proud to be the host of this historic airshow, which highlights the friendship between France and Canada,” said Maxime Pedneaud-Jobin, Mayor of Gatineau. “This is a unique opportunity for the citizens of the National Capital Region and visitors to participate in this event, which is part of the 150th anniversary celebrations in Gatineau. We are proud to contribute to the success of AERO 150 by providing a $30 000 contribution in cash and services.”