Yellowknife (July 21/06) - Yellowknifers will be looking skywards on Saturday as the biennial Yellowknife International Airshow takes off.

"We have another exciting airshow this year," said Captain Joanna Labonte, Public Affairs officer for Joint Task Force North.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are scheduled to be the grand finale of this year's Yellowknife International Airshow on Saturday. - photo courtesy of the Snowbirds

"We have many Canadian Forces planes and the Snowbirds will be flying for our grand finale."

A Canadian Forces CF-18 fighter jet is scheduled to open the aerial portion of the show at 11 a.m.

Stunt pilots scheduled to participate include Kent Pietsch flying his Interstate Cadet and Bud Granley flying his T-6 Harvard and Yak 55.

The Snowbirds, the Canadian Forces' stunt flyers who perform aerobatic maneuvers at airshows around North America, will perform at about 2 p.m.

The airshow coincides with Canadian Forces Day.

"It's a day to recognize Canadian Force members home and abroad," said Labonte.

Static displays on the airport grounds will include a Dash 8 "Gonzo", an RCMP Pilatus, Harvard II, King Air, Hawk and a CC-138 Twin Otter.

"There will be food concessions and lots of other surprises on the ground," said Labonte.

Advance tickets are available at MacDonald's and Shoppers Drug Mart.

To avoid parking congestion at the airport, there will be a bus shuttle running between the Yk Arena, the Multiplex, Co-op, the School Draw recycling depot and the airport.

The bus fare is $1, or free if you show your advance ticket.