Air show wows public
CF-18 special guest at Arctic aviation touring event
Paul Bickford
Northern News Services
Monday, July 17, 2017
HAY RIVER
If one thing became clear on July 8, it's that a Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 fighter jet knows how to make an entrance.
Capt. Matthew Kutryk piloted the CF-18 demonstration jet that joined the Canadian Arctic Aviation Tour over Hay River on July 8. - |
As hundreds were gathered at the Hay River Beach for the Canadian Arctic Aviation Tour 2017, the CF-18 suddenly and surprisingly roared overhead from behind and headed out over Great Slave Lake.
"I loved when the jet made its entrance," said Sandy Cowger.
The jet was a special guest at the air show, which is crossing Northern Canada this year to celebrate Canada 150.
The CF-18 has performed at just a few stops on the tour.
News/North spoke to Capt. Matthew Kutryk, the pilot of the CF-188 Hornet - or CF-18 as it is popularly known - when he landed in Churchill, Man., while refuelling on his way to Yellowknife from Quebec the day before the Hay River show.
Kutryk said he is excited, humbled and proud to fly the demonstration jet, which has special colours featuring the Canada 150 logo.
"It brings everyone in Canada together," he said. "The jet looks pretty sharp with the red paint job and it's a huge theme. Canada 150, it's a pretty big deal."
Only one pilot is selected to fly the demonstration jet each year.
"We're trying to show the aerodynamic capabilities of the CF-18, which is Canada's frontline fighter plane," said Kutryk of the show, noting there are lots of loops and rolls.
Plus, there is ample demonstration of the jet's power.
"Certain parts of the show are going to be flown right up to the speed of sound," said Kutryk. "We don't go supersonic because the sonic boom can cause problems with car alarms."
The CF-18 flew from Yellowknife to perform the show in Hay River and then returned to the capital city.
Kutryk said such "off-site" shows are not unusual.
"There's a lot of opportunities we have where we don't have landing surfaces that meet the somewhat substantial requirements of the F-18," he said. "Hay River is one of those examples."
Kutyrk said there are a lot of factors in determining whether a CF-18 can land at an airport after a comprehensive assessment.
For Hay River Airport, it was a combination of runway length and surface quality.
The day after flying over Hay River, Kutryk joined the Canadian Arctic Aviation Tour 2017 show in Yellowknife.
The Canadian Arctic Aviation Tour is an 11-week, 31,000-kilometre journey across Canada. The CAAT worked with Transport Canada and NavCanada to perform five categories of performances in order to to maximize reach to all communities:
Flybys - shows where aircrafts will not land but spectators can view the show above the airport or community;
Small air shows - four aircrafts or less;
Medium air shows - five aircrafts or less but not limited to five performers;
Large air shows - seven aircrafts or less but not limited to seven performers; and
Major air shows - more than seven aircrafts.
Seven civilian aircraft performed at the air show in Hay River - two Harvards; a Sukhoi, which is a Russian aircraft; a Rutan Long-EZ, which is a homemade aircraft; a Chinese-built trainer aircraft called a Nanchang; and two Harmon Rockets.
The Canadian Arctic Aviation Tour 2017 was created to bring Canada 150 celebrations to the North.
Founded by a group of Albertans, the nine-week tour began June 2 in Fort Liard and will end Aug. 31.
"This is show number 62," said Nancy McClure, executive director and one of the founders of the tour.
"Hopefully, we'll be completing 98 shows by the end of the tour."
The tour has visited several communites in the NWT, including: Paulatuk; Sachs Harbour; Paulatuk; Aklavik; Tuktoyaktuk; Fort Good Hope; Colville Lake; Tulita; Sambaa K'e; and Wekweeti.
- with files from Robin Grant and James O'Connor
