Since the first year I moved to Vancouver, I wanted to see the Abbotsford Airshow, but I kind of forgot about it and only remembered to sign up when I saw the airplanes flying around. This year, I put it in my calendar very early, and I was able to buy the tickets, and for the first time, we went to the Abbotsford Airshow.

As it was my first time, everything was new. I didn’t know how this should work much, just that there were airplanes and some demos.

The sun was relentless, and the temperature soared to a sweltering 30°C. I was glad that we had a beach umbrella and some chairs in the trunk so we could stay out of the sun a bit.

The schedule contained planes like C-17 Globemaster/KC-46 Pegasus, F-35 Lightning II, CF-18 Hornet, MiG-17 Fresco, EA-18 Growler Demo, and the Canadian Snowbirds.

Fighter Jets

It was really better than expected. I was able to see really nice fighter planes like F-35 flying, and the best thing is to hear the roar of the engines. They are such powerful machines, that’s incredible. It is really nice how humans can build something like that.

F-35 fighter jet flying alongside a red and silver P-51 Mustang at the Abbotsford Airshow

F-35 Flying in low speed

One thing that caught my attention a lot was the condensation trails (a new term for me), which are those stunning, temporary clouds of vapor that formed as the jets performed high-G maneuvers. It was really amazing to see it.

F-35 jet climbing with its afterburner glowing and condensation clouds forming over the wings

F-35 condensation trails

There was a nice and colourful plane which was not on schedule, but it was beautiful to see.

Aerobatic plane trailing white and red smoke above snow-capped Mount Baker at the Abbotsford Airshow

Plane with smoke and Mount Baker

The CF-18 Hornet was really nice as well. There were 2, so it was good to see them flying together

Canadian CF-18 Hornet fighter jet flying with landing gear down against a clear blue sky

CF-18 Hornet

Another fighter jet that made the event special was the EA-18 Growler, which was also powerful and with very good maneuvers. There were two in the demo, which made it even better.

Two EA-18 Growler jets flying side by side against a clear blue sky

EA-18 Growler

Wing Walking

Another surprise was the wing walking. I never saw this before, and it was crazy. I was so impressed by the craziness (or courage) of the person to stand in an airplane like that. I know they are tied to it, but I wouldn’t do it anyway.

Wing walker standing on a white biplane trailing smoke with Mount Baker in the background

Person Wing walking with Mount Baker at the background

Canadian Snowbirds

And the last attraction was the most beautiful one. It was the Canadian Snowbirds in a choreographic flight.

Nine red and white Canadian Snowbirds jets flying in formation trailing white smoke

Canadian Snowbirds in formation

It is amazing how they can be so precise during maneuvers like that. This kind of expertise required for doing this is something that impresses me.

Canadian Snowbirds jets in tight formation climbing against a deep blue sky with smoke trails

Canadian Snowbirds in formation

Photographing the Airshow

The airshow was also the perfect opportunity to test out my new camera and lens. I was trying to capture some shots of the airplanes against the sky, and I think I managed to get a few good ones. I’ll let you be the judge!

I’m already looking forward to going back next week and seeing what they will have.

Cheers.