Snowbirds arriving Friday

The Snowbirds and CF-18 Demo team will commence preparations for the 2013 air show season

The Canadian Force Snowbirds, Canada’s air demonstration team, flies in palm formation with Canada’s 2012 Demo Hornet over the Strait of Georgia and Vancouver Island's coastline on May 4, 2012.

The Canadian Force Snowbirds, Canada’s air demonstration team, flies in palm formation with Canada’s 2012 Demo Hornet over the Strait of Georgia and Vancouver Island's coastline on May 4, 2012.

The Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds and CF-18 demonstration team will commence preparations for the 2013 air show season when they arrive in Comox this week to finalize their annual training.

The Snowbirds arrive April 12, and the Demonstration CF-18 will arrive April 18. Both teams will conduct training daily, including over weekends, until April 26.

The demonstration aircraft will fly over, and in the vicinity of 19 Wing Comox between 9:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on most days during their visit.

Normally in the mornings, the Snowbirds will practice first, followed by a 30-minute CF-18 practice. In the afternoon, the CF-18 will practice first followed by the Snowbirds.

Members of the public can expect increased aircraft activity for that period throughout the Comox Valley.  Practices will vary in terms of location and duration based on training requirements and weather.

The Snowbirds and CF-18 demonstration team train at 19 Wing Comox each year.  With the mountainous terrain, as well as open water nearby, the Comox Valley is an ideal location for the teams to fine-tune their skills before finalizing their performance routines.

The Canadian Armed Forces attempts to minimize negative impact which may be created by their presence, taking into account the requirement to train in order to maintain the highest degree of safety, proficiency and preparedness.

Every effort will be made to limit the flying activities to minimize disturbances to the public, while ensuring essential training requirements are met.

The Canadian Armed Forces Snowbirds, the CF-18 demonstration team and 19 Wing thank the residents of the Comox Valley for their support and understanding over the next two weeks.

– 19 Wing Comox

Comox Valley Record