Barring unforeseen circumstances, the upcoming Airport Appreciation Day in Qualicum Beach on June 11 should feature some serious eye and ear candy for aviation enthusiasts, says organizer Fred Evoy.
With fires, floods and other natural disasters seemingly on the rise however, there’s no guarantee all the exhibits for the June 11 event will be able to attend.
“We’ve asked for the Martin Mars waterbomber to come over and do a flyby and he has agreed to do it, but if he gets sent somewhere, that’s off,” Evoy said. “As well, the military will send down a Chinook or their buffalo and do a drop and simulated search and rescue. But this only happens if nothing else is happening. They will show if they can.”
If they can’t, there will still be no shortage of displays and demonstrations to keep people entertained however.
The day, he said, will kick off at 8 a.m. with a pancake breakfast and will continue with demonstrations and displays until 4 p.m.
“We have Bill Mrazek and Pussycat, a Harvard Second World War trainer,” Evoy said. “He will do a little aerial demonstration aerobatics. Bill Phipps will be there with his biplane and he will do a similar type of show.”
As well, he said, the day will feature several aircraft doing flybys, including Calgary’s Marty Abbott in his home-built turbo-powered Legend, a Glassair home-built aircraft and the blue Stearman, well known to airport attendees.
Watch future editions of The News for more updates on one of the biggest and most exciting summer events in Qualicum Beach.
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