Rain did not deter the approximately 8,000 spectators who attended the free aerobatic airshow held at the Pitt Meadows Regional Airport Sunday.
Hosted by the North Fraser Airshow Society, the airshow, which had not been held since 2009, was part of the airport’s annual Airport Day, which included a beer and wine garden, educational activities and static displays of aircraft and cars.
A dozen aerobatic acts, including local talent such as Super Dave in his MX2, graced the skies for the three-hour event, which had local cadets and others volunteering on site.
Kris Grasty, one of the airshow society’s directors and show organizers, says dark clouds and some precipitation did not affect the show a great deal.
“We ended up losing two acts only,” said Grasty, adding that “the rain held off pretty much to the end of the show.”
One of those two acts was Canada’s only professional female wing walker, Quebec resident Carol Pilon, who could not perform due to the rain.
However, Gary Ward, an American air show pilot – now 73 but “as daring and exciting” as ever – performed aerial tricks.
Attendees also witnessed a fly-by of Canadian Air Force CT-155s and 156s training fighter jets.
On-the-ground displays included a Canadian military CH-146 Griffon utility helicopter that had been used in the Afghanistan War, a rare Mooney M10 Cadet plane that featured a Continental C90-16F engine, and a 1937 Wace AQC-6 four-seater float plane, originally purchased by Canada’s Department of National Defense and now on display in the Canadian Museum of Flight.