Canadian International Air Show soars this weekend above CNE

Expect to see diamonds in the sky as pilots take flight for the 75th annual event

Published Aug 29, 2024  •  2 minute read

The RAF Red Arrows acrobatic team, who will participate in the 75th Canadian International Air Show this weekend over the CNE and are celebrating their 60th diamond anniversary this year, are seen here on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024. Photo by Jack Boland /Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network

There will be a lot of diamonds in the sky when the Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) runs this weekend to close out the CNE.

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The Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows acrobatics team celebrates its 60th diamond anniversary and will fly in diamond formation.

The CIAS celebrates its 75th anniversary of flying the skies above Exhibition Place – the Grand Old Lady and another jewel by the lake.

Standing beside one of the trademark red RAF Red Arrows two-seater acrobatic teams jet planes on Thursday was Cpl. Andy Collins – a mechanical technician member and of part of the “Circus” – and he spoke about being the 60th anniversary of the team and the extended journey from England to Toronto.

“It demonstrates the skill of the pilots we’ve got, ” Collins said. “All the pilots that come to the team are some of the best pilots the RAF has.”

“Its the 60th anniversary season, which is quite a big deal for us,” he added. “So to be flying our diamond 9 (formation) in our diamond season is always quite nice.”

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And Collins said bringing the team to Canada “across the pond” to this year’s CNE is “quite nice” and a “privilege as well.”

The team made short jumps in the planes, heading north to Scotland, then to Iceland and Greenland, eventually landing in the Maritimes and beginning their journey to the CIAS – racking up loads of destination points along the way.

Snowbirds public affairs officer Capt. Philip Rochon (L) and Capt. Edward Soye, of Snowbird 10, speak on Thursday, Aug. 29, 2024, in front of one of the planes that will fly over the CNE this weekend during the 75th Canadian International Air Show. Photo by Jack Boland /Toronto Sun/Postmedia Network

From a young age growing up in England, Collins said the only thing that would “shut me up” was when his parents brought him to air shows.

He also spoke about some of the ride-along flights they have had with celebrities over the the years, including British Formula-1 racers Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton and David Coulthard.

“They had a ride in the back seat as well and I’m sure they had a great time,” said Collins, explaining its a “little bit faster than an F-1 car, maybe a little more G (gravitational force).”

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“A different kind of G, yes, maybe a bit more sensory overload. But they are used to it they are Formula One drivers,” he said.

Some of the other “fast” planes also arrived at Person International Airport on Thursday, including the aforementioned Red Arrows, the iconic RCAF Snowbirds team and Canadian Capt. Caleb “Tango” Robert with his CF-18 demo jet fighter.

And not to be outdone, from South of the Border, USAF Capt. Samual “RaZZ” Larson was highlighting two state of the art F-22 Raptor fighter jets that flew up for the weekend from Langley Air Force in Hampton, Virginia – in about 40 minutes.

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