g ahead in Qualicum Beach, despite the crash of one of its star performers at an air show in Nanaimo on the weekend.
Bill Phipps, a 71-year-old stunt pilot from Campbell River, had been billed as one of the highlights of Saturday’s Wings and Wheels event.
However, he crashed his biplane shortly after takeoff when a barrel roll went wrong and one of his wings clipped the ground.
Phipps was rushed to hospital, where he was listed in serious condition.
Airport Appreciation Day chairman Paul Connor said he was concerned about the pilot’s condition, but stressed the Qualicum Beach show must go on.
“We hope he’s going to be OK,” Connor said. “We don’t really know what happened. It could have been a mistake or the wind or something mechanical. We feel very upset for him. He’s an accomplished pilot who has been doing this for many years.”
Although Phipps won’t be rolling and looping over Qualicum Beach, Connor said there are several others who will.
“Everything is going as planned,” he said. “The weather is great, the tents are erected, the grass is cut and on Saturday the sky is going to be full of planes.”
Connor said his group has a wide variety of homebuilt aircraft coming in, along with an electric car display and some vintage vehicles as well. There is also, he added, no shortage of opportunities to take to the air.
“We’ll have a draw for two free rides, one helicopter and one plane,” he said. We also have an ongoing raffle for eight free flights.”
For those who prefer to keep their feet on the ground, he noted there will be an impressive model aircraft display, featuring both flying and static models.
The opening ceremonies kick off at 10 a.m. at the Qualicum Beach municipal airport.
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