After an eight-year hiatus, The Comox Air Show returns August 17. The event, which is part of the larger Armed Forces Day, celebrates the 70th year of Air Force presence in the area.
This year’s lineup is headed by the CF-18 Demonstration Team and Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds Demonstration Squadron. Civilian performers such as Super Dave Mathieson with his MX-2, and Team Rocket with their Harmon Rocket IIs will join the show.
Other RCAF and vintage aircraft will be present, including Vintage Wings of Canada and Cascade Warbirds. The Heritage Flight Museum from Washington State will be at the event as well.
In celebration of Armed Forces Day, the Canadian Army and the Royal Canadian Navy will have displays of equipment and vehicles on the ground.
Organizers expect a huge crowd. Over 25,000 people went to the last air show in 2005, and estimates number this year’s audience as even higher due to the long hiatus. Measures such as an improved parking plan with multiple exits have been put in place to help crowding.
Event-goers are encouraged to use bicycles which can be locked up at a secure bike rack. Buses have also been set up to take people from the parking lot to the venue.
Because of the location, at Comox Air Force Base, those attending should be prepared to have their vehicles and bags searched.
BC Ferries has added another sailing to the day’s schedule to help relieve congestion. The sailing, which leaves Comox at 10:30 pm and arrives in Powell River at 11:59 pm, will accommodate people leaving the show.
The Comox Air Show celebrates decades of military history in the Comox area. In 1943, the Royal Air Force (United Kingdom) gave the Royal Canadian Air Force a year-old air base to use. After being mothballed in the aftermath of WWII, the base was reestablished permanently in 1952 to combat Cold War tension. Since then, it has defended Canada’s Pacific Coast.
The air show runs from 9 am to 5 pm on Saturday, August 17. Tickets can be purchased online.
Travel alert
During the Comox Air Show, Comox Valley Airport will remain open for business. However, passengers need to be aware of some important information before travelling that weekend.
Passengers booked on flights departing August 16, 17 or 18 may need to arrive at the airport early. WestJet asks travellers to check in two hours ahead of their flight, while Pacific Coastal Airlines and Central Mountain Air ask guests to arrive 90 minutes before their flight.
The reason for this is that some of the aircrafts will be parked in a different location and passengers will need to be bused to their flights, explained airport CEO Fred Bigelow. The airport’s website carries further information.
A special airport terminal access route via Ryan Road and Military Row has been designated to help avoid traffic congestion due to the air show. Directions and a map are posted on the airport’s website along with a YQQ Airport Access Pass for download. It is recommended this pass be printed off and displayed on the vehicle windshield.
Main access to the airport terminal building from 8 am to 5 pm on August 17 will be from Military Row.
“We are asking passengers for their patience and understanding as we work to maintain our operations under these special circumstances,” said Bigelow.
