Aviation enthusiasts will have their eyes to the skies over Toronto this Labour Day weekend, as the 2024 Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) rolls out a stellar lineup to celebrate three big milestones: 75 years of the CIAS, the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), and the 60th anniversary of the Royal Air Force (RAF) Red Arrows demonstration team.
Headlining this year’s show from Aug. 31 to Sept. 2 are the Red Arrows themselves, joined by Canada’s own much-loved aerial demonstration team, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds.
The Red Arrows were last in Toronto in 2019, CIAS executive director Lori Duthie told Skies.
“This time, they are here primarily for the RCAF’s 100th anniversary,” she said. “We are one of only four shows they are doing in Canada this year.”
Duthie said each day’s performance will begin with either the Snowbirds or the Red Arrows, with the other team concluding that day’s flying. The show lineup includes several additional highlights such as appearances by the U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptor and the CF-18 Demo Team, with the jet featuring this year’s RCAF centennial livery.
Vintage aircraft participating on specific days of the show include the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum’s Douglas C-47 Dakota (Aug. 31) and Avro Lancaster bomber and B-25 Mitchell (Sept. 1 and 2). Returning to the Toronto skies will be P-51 Mustang “Bald Eagle,” flying a heritage flight alongside the F-22 Raptor.
“When we look at the very first lineup from 1949, we had a Lancaster in the show back then,” said Duthie. “We’re also pleased to have just confirmed a Harvard from the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association in Tillsonburg.”
This year’s aerobatic acts include the ever-popular Kyle Fowler with his Long-EZ, Trevor Rafferty flying his homebuilt Pitts 12, and, for the first time, father-son duo Ken Rieder and Austin Rieder from Redline Airshows in their Van’s RV-8 aircraft.
Not to be outdone, helicopters will be represented by an RCAF CH-146 Griffon performing a search-and-rescue manoeuvre over the lake, and a CH-147F Chinook will make an appearance.
Also demonstrating over Lake Ontario will be an Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources CL-415 waterbomber, an aircraft that is permanently stationed just north of Toronto.
Duthie expects more than a million spectators to take in the show from the Toronto waterfront, condo balconies and boats in the water. Those inside the CNE grounds can explore a free, expanded STEM Zone, designed to showcase aviation and aerospace to young people searching for rewarding careers.
“We’ve got some incredible displays on the ground,” said Duthie. “What the performers do in the sky is fantastic; we pick talented performers. But, helping folks on the ground find their path into the aerospace industry is special. Last year was the first STEM area and it’s twice as big this year.”
She said visitors will see engaging displays from Ontario Aerospace Association members, showcasing virtual reality goggles that put the wearer in the cockpit of an aircraft coming into Pearson airport. The CF-18 cockpit will be on display, along with a VR display of the Snowbirds flying in the CIAS.
“We’ll also have simulator companies, airlines, drone displays, the 400 Squadron pipe band, and a pre-show water display,” said Duthie. “We expect more people than last year. We’ve worked closely with government groups to let new Canadians know about the show, and we are hopeful that will help with some of industry recruiting in general – we need young people in this industry.”
Those who cannot attend the show in Toronto can stream it live from the CIAS website. Duthie said that last year, 250,000 viewers tuned in from 40 countries.
Duthie organizes the CIAS with the help of 20 year-round volunteer managers, plus about 150 volunteers who work on airshow weekend. She was quick to thank everyone who has ever volunteered at the CIAS in its 75-year history, recognizing them for “helping to inspire the next generation.”
Tickets for CIAS 2024 are nearly sold out, although some remain for the Exclusive Airshow Zone. Duthie encouraged airshow fans to join the CIAS Insiders list so they can be among the first to learn show news and developments.
