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Pilots at Alberta International Airshow living a dream |
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Written by Pamela Roth
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Saturday, 25 July 2009 |
Paul Kissman can’t help but feel extremely fortunate these days and it’s easy to see why.
The former Canadian military pilot is only one of two people who get to step into the cockpit of the Hawk One F-86 Sabre and soar into the sky performing demonstrations for the spectators below.
To see such a plane in the sky is a rare sight these days and it’s only being brought out to mark the 100th anniversary of powered flight in Canada, along with the 50th anniversary of the Golden Hawks air show team.
Kissman, who has a background in test flying, but now works with the National Research Council of Canada, was approached by those involved in restoring the aircraft to be involved in the process. After spending 24 years with the military flying planes, it was an invitation he couldn’t resist.
“I was at the right place at the right time with the right qualifications,” said Kissman, whose first flight with the fully restored jet was in November, and is performing at air shows across the country, including Lethbridge this weekend. “People from the ’50s come to us all the time and say ‘here’s my story,’ and you hear all these wonderful stories. It’s a chance for us to give them a chance to relive their past and tell it to us and get the next generation motivated.”
The F-86 Sabre is a fast, nimble jet that was the backbone of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) in the ’50s and its primary air defence fighter. Crafted to outfox the Soviet MIG-15s flying in Korea, it was an incredible prestige for a Canadian pilot to fly — and still remains to be a pilot’s dream to fly to this day.
“The F-86 is a wonderful airplane. It really handles well, despite being 50 years old,” said Kissman. “It was just a really good design. It’s not as highly aerobatic as you see with the newer aircrafts, but I think people really like it.”
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of powered flight in Canada, the RCAF created the Golden Hawks — a six-plane aerobatic flying team that was envisioned as performing for only one year with the Canadair Sabre. The Golden Hawks were so popular, however, that after their single 63-show season the team was expanded and another Sabre was added to the team.
The Sabre was the natural choice to showcase its first Canadian air show team, which became synonymous with acrobatic flying across Canada. The program was disbanded in 1964 and succeeded by The Snowbirds in 1971.
This year marks the first year Doug Clements can call himself a Snowbird pilot and is now fulfilling a life-long dream.
As a youngster, Clements can recall being amazed as he watched the Snowbirds perform their hair-raising aerobatics in the air shows near his home in Ottawa.
Clements was drawn to the Canadian military since his dad was a pilot. After flying in the military for 18 years, his dreams took flight when he became one of the 24 members of the Snowbirds Demonstration Team — a Canadian icon that has been wowing audiences across North America for years with their thrilling performances.
Based out of Moose Jaw, Sask., the Snowbirds have a hectic schedule and are basically on the road for six months performing at air shows across the continent.
In Lethbridge on Saturday afternoon, nine pilots performed their high-flying tricks before making their way to Edmonton for another performance last evening.
According to Clements, the aircraft travels at a speed around 350 to 400 miles an hour, performing various formations and manoeuvres with other aircrafts in close proximity. It’s not exactly for the faint of heart, but Clements wouldn’t have it any other way.
“I really enjoy the camaraderie amongst the guys. You get to work with a great group of professionals. It’s like a big hockey team,” he said. “You know you are a part of something special. I really enjoy the teamwork and the kids, signing autographs and meeting them. I was one of those kids about 30 years ago, so it’s awesome to be a part of it today.”
Other attractions at the 2009 Alberta International Airshow include performances by the Mig Fury Fighters and CF-18 Hornet, along with a special appearance by the Evergreen B747 Supertanker — the world’s largest and fastest firefighting aircraft.
On the ground, spectators will have a chance to take a helicopter ride, cool off in the water park and tour planes such as a C-17 Globemaster operated by the U.S. Air Force , a Tiger Moth, take a ride in a Snowbird Simulator or ride on a monster truck.
Gates for the show will open again at 9 a.m. today with air demonstrations beginning at noon.
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