Michelle DaCruz
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (May 15/02) - Yellowknife's Northern Sky 02 airshow is a go.

Insurance premiums across Canada increased substantially after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, which put many air shows in jeopardy.

Yellowknife crowds once again. The Yellowknife show is scheduled for July 27-28. - NNSL file photo

Snowbirds will wow

However, the size and location of the show in Yellowknife seemed to be contributing factors in the reasonable insurance quote the Yellowknife air show committee secured.

"A $2,000 increase in insurance premiums is not a show-stopper," said Major Karen Tissot van Patot, public affairs spokesperson for the air show.

Insurance for the last show in July 2000 cost the committee $3,000.

Lt. Col. Rory Kilburn, chair the Yellowknife International Airshow Society, said the $5,000 quote from a British insurance company is affordable.

"If anything were to happen here, there would be a lot less damage than down South," said Kilburn, regarding reasons for the quote. "In major centres across the country, they are paying five times what we are."

He pointed out that many air shows in major urban centres have attendance of 100,000 or more, whereas the audience in Yellowknife has always hovered in the 5,000 range.

Kilburn attributes the rising insurance costs in the south to the threat of terrorism.

"When you put that many people in one place, the threat increases greatly," he said.

Security will be tighter this year, with overnight patrols of all grounded aircraft, surveillance of plane tours, and as in previous years RCMP on standby.

People won't be able to bring bags on board the tours, but Kilburn assured that cameras will not be restricted.

The Snowbirds, Skyhawks, the Canadian Forces parachute team, a CF-18 Hornet demonstration pilot, and four civilian flying acts, Harmon Rocket, Bill Carter Aerobatics, Jim Hrymac Aerobatics, and Kent Pietsch (a flying farmer act) -- have all been confirmed.

Ground tours of Canadian military aircraft -- Dash 8, Aurora, Hercules, Griffon, helicopters and civilian aircraft are also confirmed.

Kilburn is hoping to increase this year's attendance to at least 6,000 people.

The committee is in negotiations with First Air to develop airfare, plus hotel vacation packages to entice people outside Yellowknife to attend.

Along with sponsorship from companies like Canadian North, Diavik, and CIBC, the show received a $10,000 grant from the GNWT Department of Community Programs and Services. The biennial show is scheduled for July 27 at Yellowknife Airport.