Twilight show coming to Abbotsford Airshow

First-ever night-time show will happen at the 2014 airshow

Matt Younkin and his Twin Beech 18, lit up for a night-time show.

Matt Younkin and his Twin Beech 18, lit up for a night-time show.

Aviation enthusiasts will have another reason to come out to the Abbotsford International Airshow this year as a new segment has been added to the popular annual event: a twilight show.

According to Jim Reith, AIA president, the evening show will be different than the regular Saturday and Sunday routines and will replace the Friday day-time show. It will be complete with full pyrotechnics, along with impressive performances from a number of professional performers, including a special demonstration by the Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornet.

As part of the demo, the fighter jet will do a simulated bombing run, with company AV8FX Pyro providing the special fire effects.

Also featured will be Dan Buchanan, a paraplegic hang glider pilot who has done more than 1,100 shows. His all-fabric motorized hang glider is set up with multiple lights which makes it glow against the night sky, all set to music.

Reith said the jet schoolbus and Team Rocket will be making an appearance during the evening show, plus Matt Younkin, who brings his Twin Beech 18 to Abbotsford.

The aircraft is fully lit up for the show, said Reith, including lights aimed at the wings, and installed near the engines, providing an incredible visual display in flight.

Gates will open for the twilight show around 4:30 p.m., said the show president, with a few acts from the day program performing between 5 and 7 p.m. The official program gets underway at 7 p.m. and just prior to sunset – which will be at 8:40 p.m. that day – the Hornet demo will begin.

The 2014 airshow runs from Aug. 8-10. More information is available at abbotsfordairshow.com.

Abbotsford News