My First Lesson in a CF-18 Hornet

Flight Lesson in a CF-18
Captain Erick O’Connor of Canadian Forces 409 Squadron, gives LearnToFly.ca Editor, Geoff McKay, his first lesson in the cockpit of a CF-18 Hornet Fighter Jet. The CF-18 is the primary front-line fighter in Canada, and it is used every day to protect the sovereignty of the country.

CF-18 Demonstration Team
The Canadian Forces CF-18 Demonstration Team was in Toronto for the Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) (a.k.a. CNE Air Show) for the 2011 Labour Day weekend. That’s when Geoff McKay met up with Captain Erick O’Connor for a tour of the CF-18 Hornet, and an introductory lesson in the cockpit of the Hornet. The CF-18 Hornet is an absolutely amazing jet.

CF-18 Performance
When you first climb in the cockpit, you quickly realize the CF-18 is more like a computer with wings and a pair of oversized jet engines. And, it’s fast. Very Fast. The CF-18 travels at twice the speed of sound, or 2,400 km/h. (1,600 mph).

G-Forces
The on-board computer limits the g-forces during flight manoeuvres to 7.5 +g’s and 3 -g’s. The combined speed and g-forces operating envelope provides for exceptional high speed manoeuvrability, including full aerobatic capabilities. During Captain Erick O’Connor’s demonstration flights over Toronto, he showed great restraint by keeping the CF-18′s flying speed below the speed of sound to ensure he did not break the sound barrier over the crowds at the CNE.

Video: Learn To Fly a CF-18 Hornet Fighter Jet!

CF-18 Hornet Flight Lesson with Captain Erick O’Connor of 409 Squadron

Fly-By-Wire (FBW)
The Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornet is filled with amazing onboard technology including some of the most advanced flight control systems and some of the most sophisticated weapons technologies. The CF-18 is all Fly-By-Wire (FBW). In a conventional aircraft, the flight controls are manually controlled using pulleys and cables. However, with FBW, the flight controls are converted to electronic signals. These signals are then transmitted by wires (hence the “Fly-By-Wire” terminology) to the flight control computers. These onboard computers translate the inputs to determine movements of actuators managing each flight control surface.

The FBW system greatly enhances performance, stability, and manoeuvrability. With all the advanced technology onboard, Captain Erick describes himself as “just a contributor to the computer”. (@ 6:40 in the video above) But, Erick is just being modest. Don’t be fooled… Captain Erick is an astounding pilot!

Insane “Dirty Roll” Takeoff!
When Captain Erick O’Connor performs his takeoff in the CF-18 Hornet, it’s absolutely insane!

From this picture, you can see the incredible takeoff climb angle, but he then performs a “Dirty Roll” within milliseconds of being airborne. The CF-18 rolls over and continues through 360 degrees of roll until the jet is “rubber side down” once again.

Dirty Roll
During the roll, the landing gear is down, flaps are lowered, and everything is hanging out. (i.e. the aircraft configuration is “Dirty”. In a ”Clean” configuration, the gear and flaps would be retracted)

You have to see this INSANE takeoff to believe it. (@ 0:07 in the video above, and also @ 7:04 in the video)

CF-18 Aerobatics
The CF-18 flown by Captain Erick dazzles audiences all over North America. Captain Erick performs astonishing aerobatics in the CF-18 Hornet including looping manoeuvres, rolling manoeuvres, High-G 360 turns (@ 5:25 in the video above), inverted flight, vertical climbs, hesitation rolls, and his signature “Dirty Roll” on takeoff.

High G Vertical Pull-Up
Here you see the CF-18 Hornet in a High-G vertical pull-up, as the Hornet climbs to a straight up vertical position. (Click on the picture for a close-up view)

Ripping the Air
The CF-18 Hornet pictured here is ripping through the air, and strong vortices are spawning that generate very turbulent air currents over the wings, and at the wing tips. Despite this ridiculously high angle of attack, the Hornet is still able to generate aerodynamic lift and rocket through the air.

White Vapour – Not Smoke
That’s White Vapour, or mist you see swirling around the jet. It may look like smoke, but it’s moisture in the air condensing into cloud. The extremely high angle of attack during this high g pull-up causes powerful vortices to form around the edge of the CF-18 aircraft.

Bernoulli’s Principle
Bernoulli’s principle states that for any increase in speed of a fluid (or in this case the air), there occurs simultaneously a decrease in pressure. As the air rushes over the wing, and around surfaces such as the leading edge of the wing, the wing tips, and the missile shaped fuselage, it is diverted around the contour or shape of the object. The air particles (or parcel of air), must increase in velocity to travel a farther distance than its counterpart air parcel on the other side of the obstruction. When the air particles meet together again, the parcel of air that has been re-routed around the surface has travelled a longer distance in the same amount of time. To do this, it had to increase in velocity or speed. With the increase of velocity, there is an associated drop in pressure. With the drop in pressure, there is a resulting drop in air temperature.

The vortices and resultant turbulent air, and re-directed air parcels have a large drop in pressure. Proving Bernoulli’s Principle, this results in an accompanying temperature drop in the air parcels. The air is instantly cooled, and the amount of moisture that could previously be held in the air drops suddenly. The previously warmer air could hold a higher percentage of water particles. However, the now cooler air can no longer hold all the moisture, and it instantly condenses into water vapour or mist.

Physics 101
With the cooler air, the severe drop in temperature is sufficient to condense the normally invisible air into water causing the white “vapour” to be seen. Typically, wing tip vortices and other air disruption would not be visible, but with the extremely high velocity of the CF-18′s manoeuvre, and the pressure drop of air parcels, the moisture in the air condenses and the smoke like white “vapour” (or cloud) suddenly appears.

The science is amazing, but seeing this happen around the CF-18 Hornet as it is ripping through the air is truly spectacular!

McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet
The CF-18 Hornet is based on the American McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornet fighter jet. The 2011 CF-18 Demonstration Pilot, Captain Erick O’Connor is from 409 Squadron of the Canadian Forces located in Cold Lake, Alberta. The CF-18 Demonstration Jet is maintained from two Air Force Wings.

3 Wing CFB Bagotville, Quebec
No. 425 Alouette Tactical Fighter Squadron
Supports CF-18 performances in Eastern Canada.

4 Wing CFB Cold Lake, Alberta
No. 409 Nighthawks Tactical Fighter Squadron
No. 410 Cougars Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron
Supports CF-18 performances in Western Canada.

Fake Canopy
Painted on the bottom side of any Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornet is a “Fake Canopy”. (@ 3:09 in the video above) The outline of the canopy is painted in a black paint to create the illusion of the cockpit canopy on the grey underside. From a distance this looks remarkably like the real canopy on the reverse side. The strategy is to confuse the enemy with regard to the orientation of the aircraft, to give the Canadian pilots a slight advantage over enemy pilots and enemy ground personnel.

Paint Scheme
Pictured here, you see a pair of CF-18 Hornet Fighter Jets. The CF-18 in the back has the typical, mono colour, military grey paint scheme. In the front, however, we see the custom painted 2011 CF-18 Demonstration Jet.

The 2011 CF-18 Demonstration Team Jet has been specially painted to commemorate military families. The jet is adorned with a brilliant dorsal and tail artwork. The freehand airbrush and paint gun murals are beautifully painted in reds and blues.

Yellow Ribbon
This special design is accentuated by the iconic military yellow ribbon. This swirling yellow ribbon design loops around the cockpit, and extends down the jet’s back and wraps the twin tails.

Supporting Military Families
Painted on the red tail, you see a family. (@ 5:46 in the video above) The family theme is a big part of the CF-18 Demonstration Team’s work. The tail flash also displays the three elements of the Canadian Forces including the Air Force, Navy and Army. (@ 5:56 in the video above)

CF-18 Hornet Cockpit
I love the cockpit in the CF-18 Hornet. As a Fly-By-Wire aircraft, the cockpit is primarily a computer centre.

For the younger generation, the cockpit feels like home. A familiar looking Joystick greets you instead of a traditional Yoke. The joystick control is centred, and the front panel has three, colour, digital displays surrounded by buttons.

The Joystick control includes a mouse-like interface allowing the computer user (a.k.a. Pilot), to move the “cursor” around to the different display screens to select options and controls, and cancel or select functions. (@ 1:28 in the video above)

Fully Customizable
The CF-18 Cockpit digital displays are fully customizable allowing the pilot to configure the displays for his or her personal preferences. For instance, the Targeting Pod, Radar, Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI), and Situational Awareness System (a.k.a. “God’s Eye View”) may be moved to any digital display for optimized viewing and accessibility.

Multiple Contributors
Amazingly, there can be multiple contributors where information and data from multiple, external sources (i.e. other aircraft in the formation) can automatically transmit critical data (such as radar activity) directly to the CF-18 screens. The pilot now has data augmented from multiple sources and integrated into his onboard display in the cockpit.

JHMCS
The CF-18 Hornet has the standard Heads Up Display (HUD) mounted in the pilot’s line of sight above the cockpit panel. But, the CF-18 is also equipped with JHMCS – Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System.

Pictured here, Captain Erick O’Connor is seen wearing the Helmet and Goggles that make up the JHMCS system. Those are not large sunglasses, but an incredible and sophisticated piece of technology. JHMCS enables the pilot to acquire targets via turning his head and looking at the target location as important cockpit information continues to be displayed before his eyes.

Boeing Technology
Developed by Boeing, the Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS) is a multi-role system that enhances pilot situational awareness and provides head-out control of aircraft targeting systems and sensors, accelerating the acquisition of enemy targets. (@ 3:25 in the video above)

The CF-18 Hornet is configured with both JHMCS and AIM-9X missile. This effective combination forms the High-Off-BoreSight (HOBS) system. HOBS is an airborne weapon-interception system enabling the pilot to accurately direct, or “cue” onboard weapons against enemy targets by merely pointing their heads at the target. The HOBS system guides the weapons, allowing the pilot to perform High-G flight manoeuvres during the attack.

Remarkable Aircraft
The Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornet is a truly remarkable aircraft. According to Hornet Pilot, Captain Erick O’Connor, “flying the CF-18 Hornet is easy”.

My First Lesson
After my personal tour of the CF-18 fighter jet, and my first in-cockpit lesson, I began to realize just how advanced this amazing aircraft truly is.

Transitioning from a Cessna 172, to a CF-18 should be the next rating every daring pilot should pursue

Learn To Fly a CF-18 Hornet
Special thanks to Captain Erick O’Connor of the 409 Squadron, the 2011 CF-18 Demonstration Team, and to the CIAS for making this day possible.

It was a great opportunity for LearnToFly.ca Editor, Geoff McKay, to receive a personal cockpit lesson in one of the most advanced aircraft in the skies today.

Dirty Roll
Lessons over… It’s time for a “Dirty Roll” on take-off in the Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornet!

For more photos from this adventure, visit our CF-18 Hornet Photo Album on the LearnToFly.ca Facebook Page. (Don’t forget to “Like Us” on FB)

Related Articles:

1. The Quebec International Air Show, June 2010
2. Aero Vodochody L-29 Delfin Jet Trainer
3. Brantford Air Show 2010

A Day in the Life of The SkyHawks!

Parachute Demonstration Team
The SkyHawks are Canada’s only military parachute demonstration team. And, the editors of LearnToFly.ca were invited to spend a day with this precision parachute jump team. It was at the 2011 Waterloo Air Show that Greg McKay and Geoff McKay met up with the SkyHawks. We were given full ‘behind the scenes’ access, allowing us to compile a complete video of the experience.

The SkyHawks perform incredible aerobatic parachute formations before crowds across North America. With 33 shows this season, the SkyHawks represent Canada and the Canadian Forces with great pride.

71 Million Spectators
This elite team of skydivers puts on a spectacular show. Over 71 million spectators worldwide have enjoyed watching the SkyHawks as they perform their dangerous and thrilling manoeuvres before the crowds.

A Day in the Life of the SkyHawks!
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to jump from an airplane? Follow along as we meet the SkyHawks, prepare for take-off, and then perform before tens of thousands of spectators at the Waterloo Air Show.

Video: A Day in the Life of the SkyHawks!

Watch a Day in the Life of the SkyHawks at the Waterloo Air Show!

SkyHawks Base
The Canadian Forces SkyHawks are based out of Warfare Centre, Ontario. Team Members are specially selected from the Army, Navy and Air Force to showcase the professionalism, dedication and team work of Canada’s military.

Voice of the SkyHawks
Captain Indira Thackorie, Public Affairs Officer for the Canadian Forces Parachute Team, is the “Voice of the SkyHawks”.

Captain Thackorie is the Announcer for the SkyHawks at the many air show performances. It’s her energetic voice you hear as she gives a detailed and exciting “play-by-play” of what’s happening in the skies above. As the SkyHawks jump from the airplane overhead, often two miles above, Captain Thackorie narrates the action and explains all their amazing and dangerous manoeuvres. She also provides some history of the SkyHawks, as she keeps you focused on the action above.

Canopy Relative Work
The SkyHawks team builds beautiful formations in the sky. The team members come in close proximity to each other and link together to assemble into formations. You see two, three, four or more SkyHawks members  and canopies connected as one. Their canopies may be stacked on top of each other, or sometimes they connect via their arms and legs in a side-by-side formation. It takes incredible skill and courage to accomplish this death defying Canopy Relative Work (CRW).

40th Anniversary
The 2011 season marks the 40 anniversary of the SkyHawks. This is an amazing milestone and accomplishment for this talented team of skydivers. The SkyHawks perform 33 shows across North America during their 40th anniversary season from May to October 2011.

The SkyHawks are easily recognized by their Signature Canadian Flag Canopies. The red and white Canadian Flag Parachutes are a trademark icon at Air Shows and Performances throughout North America.

Canadian Flag Parachutes
This SkyHawk has the signature Canadian Flag Canopy overhead, and he has also unfurled a 450 square foot Canadian Flag trailing from his foot.

In addition to the Canadian Flag Parachutes, the SkyHawks usually have at least one large Canadian Flag and one large U.S. Flag displayed on a member’s foot. A provincial flag is also attached to a team member during a performance.

Very Colourful
The SkyHawks performance is always very exciting and also very colourful. With the large Canadian Flag parachutes and trailing flags, the sky is filled with brilliant and colourful images.

Tandem Jumps
Our Day in the Life of the SkyHawks video shows both single jumpers and tandem jumpers. The tandem jumpers are strapped together, and jump out of the aircraft as a pair with a single parachute. In Tandem parachuting, the guest skydiver is securely connected to a tandem instructor by a harness. The experienced tandem instructor guides the guest through the entire jump. The two remain connected as they exit the aircraft, freefall, open the parachute, pilot the canopy, and safely land in the designated landing zone.

Two Miles High
During our ride with the SkyHawks, there was a team of 13 members jumping, and two additional “guests” were part of the tandem jumps. Along with LearnToFly.ca, the Discovery Channel was also invited, and they performed several scientific experiments involving coloured water during the jumps.  Most of the team jumped (@ 9:20 in the video above) from 6,000 feet  (over a mile in the sky), and the tandem jumpers jumped (@ 10:30 in the video above) from 12,500 feet. (over two miles high in the sky)

VIP Tandem Jumpers
On the aircraft with us were two VIP Tandem Jumpers. Todd Cowan, the Mayor of Woolwich, and 96.7 CHYM FM Producer Ryan Mahn took to the skies, and tandem jumped with the SkyHawks from 2 miles above. (You can see their terrified faces in the video above @ 10:30)

Signature Formations
The Canadian Forces Parachute Team have several Signature Formations they perform before the crowds. Pictured to the right are two SkyHawks with their chutes side-by-side and their legs locked to hold them together.

Dangerous Canopy Work
This is very dangerous canopy work as they must ensure their parachutes do not become entangled or collapsed as they set-up and maintain these tricky formations. (TIP: Click on the picture to enlarge)

Parabatics
Parachute Aerobatics, or “Parabatics” are often performed by the SkyHawks. Two SkyHawks will form a Bi-Plane (2-stack) and then transition into a leg lock. They will fly their parachutes side by side and perform aerobatics in the sky.

Three SkyHawks
Many of the formations include three SkyHawks linked together. There’s the “Tri-By-Side” where three SkyHawks form a 3-stack and then transition into a horizontal circle with their parachutes forming the outer ring. There’s also the “Three Stack Drag” where three SkyHawks form a 3-stack. They then transition into opposite ends with two jumpers on one end, and the bottom jumper locates at the bottom of the stack and inverts, flying upside down!

Canadian T
The SkyHawks Signature “Canadian T” Formation pictured here also involves three jumpers. Three SkyHawks form a 3-stack and then transition into a formation in the shape of a “T”. You can see the jumper at the bottom has the large, trailing, 450 square foot Canadian Flag at the bottom of the formation.

Parachute Equipment
For our Day in the Life of a SkyHawk video, we were introduced to the SkyHawks team, and then provided a tour of the aircraft and the equipment was demonstrated and explained. We then joined the team as they flew to the skies, and jumped out of the SkyHawks aircraft. The parachute equipment is carefully checked before every flight.

Multiple Parachutes
Each SkyHawk has multiple parachutes. There’s the large Canadian Flag Canopy main Parachute you typically see above each SkyHawk. (This is attached to a small drone chute that first deploys to help the Main chute deploy correctly) But, each jumper also has a smaller Reserve Parachute as a back-up. If the main parachute gets tangled or fails, the jumper will then release the main chute, and open the smaller reserve chute. It’s a back-up or “safety” chute just in case the primary parachute fails to deploy properly. Each SkyHawk packs their own mains, but one of the four parachute riggers on the team must pack the reserve parachute.

Corporal Johann Reimer
Our Day in the Life of the SkyHawks video features Corporal Johann Reimer. Corporal Reimer is pictured here after safely returning to earth after the SkyHawks Waterloo Air Show performance.

Corporal Reimer is from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and he joined the SkyHawks this year as part of their 40th anniversary season. Johann has the lowest jump numbers of any of the SkyHawks on the team with about 300 jumps to date.

Corporal Reimer demonstrates great enthusiasm, expertise and professionalism for the SkyHawks as he guides us through a typical day as a member of the Canadian Forces Parachute Team – the SkyHawks.

Parachute Training
The SkyHawks training camp is located in Perris, California. Training Camp lasts five weeks, and members jump about ten times each day. Corporal Reimer explains they have the best training with the greatest instructors.

SkyHawks Parachute Team
The Canadian Forces SkyHawks Parachute Team assembles for a group photo just before take-off. Pictured at the far left is Captain Indira Thackorie, and Corporal Johann Reimer is at the far right in the photo. You also see the guest tandem jumpers Todd Cowan and Ryan Mahn in the black jump suits.

Additional Equipment
In addition to the jump suit, main parachute, reserve parachute and helmet, the SkyHawks members have some important additional equipment they take with them on every jump.

Audible DYTTER
Tucked inside the helmet of each SkyHawk is an audible device called a DYTTER. This beeps key altitudes that have been pre-programmed into the small device to make the Skydiver aware of key altitudes as they descend. (@ 1:39 in the video above)

Each SkyHawk also has a skydiver altimeter gauge they wear that displays altitude above the ground, and the jumper ensures this is correctly “zero’d” before they take-off. They also have an Automatic Activation Device (AAD) that will automatically deploy the parachute based on an algorithm of altitude and vertical velocity. If the jumper is unconscious or unable to deploy their parachute for any reason, the AAD is pre-programmed to intervene and automatically deploy the main chute.

SkyHawks Candy-Cane Formation
One of the really beautiful displays you’ll see at a SkyHawks performance is the “Candy-Cane” formation. A SkyHawk spirals downwards with several coloured smoke canisters attached below their feet. In this picture, you can see the six smoke trails generated by the canisters strung together on a line below the jumper.

Thrilling Display
The SkyHawks team is comprised of highly professional, skilled, and experienced soldiers from the Canadian Forces. The SkyHawks are renowned for their signature Canopy Relative Work (CRW) parachute performance.

The SkyHawks Parabatic CRW performance is amazing. These aerial demonstrations visually captivate spectators at every performance. Their performance highlights the technical expertise of the SkyHawks as they demonstrate thrilling and dangerous parachute formations.

Fun Experience
It was a really fun and exciting experience to spend the day with the SkyHawks. After meeting the team, and seeing all the equipment, it was time to board the airplane and take to the skies.

Tethered
We were fitted with a harness, and then tethered into the aircraft. This provided us the opportunity to access the ramp at the back of the airplane while in the air. It’s an excellent vantage point for shooting incredible photographs, and we could also video tape the SkyHawks as they jumped from the airplane.

CASA C-212 Aircraft
The SkyHawks jump plane is a medium transport STOL (Short Take-Off and Landing) CASA C-212 Aviocar aircraft. Before we took to the skies, you can see the team’s parachute equipment laid out and ready for the SkyHawks to board.

Medium Transport
The CASA 212 is a medium transport, twin engine plane that holds the entire team and a few guests inside. On each side, there is bench seating where the SkyHawks sit during take-off and ascent. The centre aisle has room for jumpers to stand and walk to the front of the airplane (Cockpit) or the back of the plane where you see the jump ramp.

Jump Ramp
The Jump Ramp was at the back of the CASA 212 folds down for boarding. For take-off and climb to altitude, the ramp was partially raised, but the back was still left open to provide an awesome view. Once we got to 6,000 feet, the first group of jumpers moved to the back of the airplane and prepared to jump. The jump ramp was levelled, and it makes for a great, unobstructed platform for exiting the aircraft. Next to the ramp you see the small red and green lights used to signal the jumpers.

CASA C-212 Cockpit
You can see the SkyHawks Pilots in the cockpit of the CASA C-212 Aviocar as the team airplane ascends during the performance. It takes quite a few minutes as the airplane circles around the jump zone and climbs to the jump altitude. The pilots need to consider the wind velocity and wind direction to help determine the best exit location for the jumpers. The wind will cause the jumpers to drift, and the drift amount needs to be calculated carefully.

Streamers Away
To help determine the amount of wind drift that will be experienced, the SkyHawks first drop some colourful streamers when they are directly over the drop zone. (@ 8:40 in the video) These streamers are made of colourful crepe paper and the crowd below watches these streamers float to earth. The distance they blow from the intended drop zone is measured, to determine the exact adjustment needed before the SkyHawks begin their jump.

SkyHawks Signature Salute
As the SkyHawks jump from the aircraft, many will use their Signature Salute. (@ 9:27 in the video) They stand on the jump ramp with their backs to the opening. As they salute the rest of the members in the airplane, they simply fall backwards to exit the airplane. It’s very graceful, and amazing to see!

Canadian Forces Parachute Team – The SkyHawks
It was amazing to spend the day with the SkyHawks. Thanks to the entire team and especially to Corporal Johann Reimer for his video interview. Through this video, you can now experience a Day in the Life of a SkyHawk!

Thanks for reading.

F-1 Rocket Homebuilt Airplane – “Little Bit”

Wayne Hadath
The 2011 Waterloo Air Show was another great adventure. It was at this air show, that LearnToFly.ca Editors Greg McKay and Geoff McKay met up with Wayne Hadath of Kitchener, Ontario. Wayne built his very own TeamRocket F1 Rocket Sports Wing Racing Aircraft. And, Wayne built his F-1 Rocket from parts, not a quick-build kit!

Pictured here, you can see Builder/Owner/Pilot Wayne Hadath in his F1 Rocket with Geoff in the rear seat (Tandem seating) preparing to take-off. In the background, you can see the Canadian Forces CF-18 military fighter jet also preparing to take-off. (Think of Wayne’s “F1″ as a “younger brother” to the larger F-Series aircraft like the “F-16″ or the “F-18″ in the background!)

The air-space was very busy with F-18′s, Viper F-16′s, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the RCAF Golden Hawks F-86 Sabre, the Jet Aircraft Museum (JAM) Mako Shark T-33 Jet, and Wayne’s F-1 Rocket Racing Aircraft all jockeying for position. (Watch for the Mako Shark T-33 overhead in the video below (@ 3:45) as Wayne taxis to the runway before take-off)

Fast! Fast! Fast!
Wayne’s F1 Rocket was the 2011 winner of the prestigious EAA AirVenture Cup Race. Wayne flew his homebuilt F-1 Rocket in the 400 mile competition from Wright Brothers Airport (MGY) in Dayton, Ohio into Oshkosh with an average speed of approximately 250 mph – placing first in the competition! Geoff was given the rare opportunity to join Wayne as he demonstrated what it’s like to fly at 250+ mph in the F-1 Rocket! The Harmon F1 Rocket is well known for its unbelievable speed!

Pilot Interview and Cockpit Video – F1 Rocket!
Wayne Hadath gives you a personal tour of his high performance F1 Rocket Homebuilt Racing Aircraft.

F1 Rocket: Pilot Interview and Awesome Cockpit Video!

Watch Wayne Hadath in his F1 Rocket at the Waterloo Air Show!

Fully Aerobatic!
The F1 Rocket is fully aerobatic, and an incredibly fun aircraft to fly. It feels like F-16 performance, but in a homebuilt F-1 aircraft. With a top speed of 275 mph (442 kmh), and a fantastic climb rate of 3,500+ feet per minute (fpm), the F-1 really does feel like a rocket when you take-off. It felt like we climbed almost straight up, to an altitude of 4,500, feet within seconds. The F1 Rocket is rated to Plus 6 G’s and Minus 3 G’s.

Steep Turns!
From this picture, you can see the F1 Rocket is amazing at very Steep Turns! With a bank angle of almost 90 degrees, you can see the zebra striped black and white left (port) wingtip pointed almost directly at the ground. Watch the video (above) as we complete two full revolutions (720 degrees) in a left turn with a steady bank angle of nearly 90 degrees as we maintain altitude. The little Rudder on the back of “Little Bit” is used like an Elevator to maintain altitude in these very steep turns.

Watch the Video: Count Two Revolutions
In the video (@ 7:45), you can see the lake below as we begin the steep turn to the left. In only 45 seconds, we have completed two full circles. After sustaining 4 G’s (3.8 Peak G readout during the flight), you really begin to appreciate the amazing performance of this homebuilt racing aircraft. The F1 Rocket has set many speed records, but it also has superb manoeuvrability, and it is fully aerobatic.

Great Visibility
The F1 Rocket is a low wing airplane, providing great visibility from the glass canopy just above your head. The view is spectacular!

Smoke On Board
This year, Wayne added “Smoke” on board to his F1 Rocket for Air Show performances. This adds a few extra pounds to the airplane, but it looks great as the F1 Rocket flies past the adoring crowds. You can see the streamlined look of the F1 Rocket. Even the tail-wheel has a “Wheel Pant” (Wheel Fairing) to minimize drag for best performance. Every “Little Bit” helps when you want to set speed records.

“Little Bit”
Wayne named his homebuilt F1 Rocket “Little Bit”. As he was building his homebuilt aircraft, family and friends always asked when he would be finished. Wayne’s reply was: In a “Little Bit”. Wayne also notes that to come in first place during a speed race, you only need to win by a “Little Bit” to take the cup. Wayne also notes the airplane came in many pieces, and he built it a “Little Bit” at a time. Additionally, Wayne understands that in performance and fuel economy, every “Little Bit” counts. Wayne also compares flying his airplane to a “Little Bit” of heaven.

Primer Paint Job
I love the black and white “Zebra” paint scheme used for “Little Bit”. But, what you are seeing is actually just the “primer”, and not even paint. The few extra pounds of weight, from applying “paint” to the aircraft will make it heavier and slower. Every “Little Bit” of weight matters, so Wayne leaves the airplane with just the primer, and he has the World Speed Record to prove it.

F1 Rocket Cockpit
Take a look inside the F1 Rocket Cockpit. When you climb inside the F1 Rocket, you have a five-point restraint harness to hold you securely in place. The five belts include: 2 Lap Belts, 1 Crotch Belt, 2 Shoulder Belts.

Stick
Instead of a “Yoke”, you have the “Stick” centered in front of you to control the airplane. Pull the stick back, and the F1 Rocket accelerates quickly upwards. Push the stick forward, and you are diving to the ground. Left and Right movement of the stick will bank the F1 Rocket to either side. Your right hand is on the stick, and your left hand is used to control the throttles mounted to the left side-wall of the cockpit fuselage. Light control inputs are all you need to coax the F1 Rocket where you want to go.

Rudder Pedals
There is not too much adverse yaw experienced with this high performance airplane, but the rudder pedals are on the floor straight out in front. Down in front, on the floor, you can see the two rudder pedals controlled by your feet. Sitting in the tight cockpit, reminds you of the small motorized go-karts you may have driven as a young person. It feels like a high-performance aircraft, even when you are just sitting on the ground. The cockpit surrounds you, and you are almost sitting flat on the bottom of the fuselage with only a thin cushion for your seat.

Tandem Seating
The F1 Rocket features Tandem Seating. The airplane seats two, but instead of sitting side-by-side, you are positioned front and back. There is a control stick in both compartments, providing the rear passenger access to the controls. You can see the similar five-point restraint harness in the rear seat. (FYI, in the background of this picture, you can see another Canadian Forces F-18 Jet)

Utilitarian
When seated in the back, your feet extend straight forward along both sides of the front pilot’s seat. It’s all very cozy and tight. The aircraft is built for speed, and not comfort. The inside of the fuselage is very basic, and appears almost utilitarian. It’s designed for function over form.

Comforting Notice?
Inside the rear compartment, there is a decal affixed to the inside of the fuselage wall. It’s may not be the most reassuring or comforting notice, but it’s an important disclaimer prominently mounted that reads as follows:

IMPORTANT NOTICE:
YOU FLY IN THIS AIRCRAFT AT YOUR OWN RISK. THIS AIRCRAFT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH INTERNATIONALLY RECOGNIZED STANDARDS.

IMHO, I think this just adds to the excitement and drama of flying in this unbelievably fast F1 Rocket!

Speed Records
Another decal inside the rear passenger compartment proudly boasts about the record breaking speed of this F1 Rocket. The decal highlights the 2006, 3rd place finish in the Rocket 100 Air Race – TeamRocket – with an official speed of 229.2 mph.

Since 2006, this F1 Rocket has accumulated many more wins including the coveted first place finish in 2011 at EAA AirVenture with an average speed of nearly 250 mph.

Accomplishments
Wayne Hadath has achieved many incredible accomplishments with his homebuilt F1 Rocket “Little Bit”.

Built for speed, this F1 Rocket was even awarded the title of “The Fastest Rocket in the Known Universe” in 2008.  It has also earned the First Place Award for fastest in the Overall Sport FX Class. In short, this F1 Rocket is very fast, and it has the awards to prove it! (Translation: It’s Fast!)

September 2005
Wayne completed building his homebuilt F1 Rocket in 2005, and the first flight was logged on September 28, 2005. The first test flight was flown by Gerry Younger, an Unlimited Aerobatic Champion.

Waterloo Air Show
I previously met Wayne Hadath at the 2010 Waterloo Air Show, But, it was especially exciting to fly with Wayne, in his F1 Rocket “Little Bit”, at the 2011 Waterloo Air Show this year.

Wayne Hadath
Wayne is a really great guy. He’s flown over 500 hours in “Little Bit”, and he has been flying since 1989. He began by flying Cessna 172′s, but now his passion is for flying his homebuilt F1 Rocket “Little Bit”.

Look Up
If you see a “Zebra Striped” black and white Racing Aircraft soaring through the skies, chances are it’s Wayne Hadath in his F1 Rocket “Little Bit”, and he is travelling at almost 250 mph.

Thanks to Wayne Hadath and the Waterloo Air Show for a great flying experience!

Thanks for reading.

Saturday August 20 & Sunday August 21, 2011

Canadian Forces Snowbirds
Don’t miss the Canadian Forces Snowbirds at the 2011 Waterloo Air Show! The Waterloo Aviation Expo and Air Show is always a great family event. One of the highlights of the air show is always the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, and they are back again for another spectacular show this year.

The Snowbirds are usually the grand finale for the show, and everyone loves the excitement, precision, noise and thrill of the Snowbirds. In addition to the Snowbirds, there are many other exciting performers and acts already scheduled.

Don’t Miss the 2011 Air Show!
The 2011 Waterloo Air Show promises to be another great event. The 2010 Waterloo Air Show was very exciting, and many visitors attended both days of the weekend event. The 2011 Line-up of performers is very exciting again, and you don’t want to miss this show.

Weekend Event
Saturday August 20, 2011
Sunday August 21, 2011
Gates 0pen at 10:00 am
10am – 5pm Daily

Show Times
Static Displays open 10am – 5pm Daily
Air Show begins at 1:00 pm Daily

Show Location
Region of Waterloo International Airport
Waterloo (Breslau), Ontario

Kent Pietsch – Interstate Cadet
One of the family favourite performances will be Kent Pietsch (sounds like Peach) with his Jelly Belly Interstate Cadet.

As editor of LearnToFly.ca, I was introduced to Kent at the 2010 Waterloo Airshow, and he is an incredible pilot. Kent has over 33,000 hours as a pilot, and of those hours, over 7,000 hours as Pilot In Command (PIC) in his Interstate Cadet. He’s performed in over 400 air shows, and with his performance, he’s always a star of the show.

Jelly Belly – Generous Sponsor
Kent Pietsch’s sponsor is Jelly Belly, and his yellow Interstate Cadet airplane is wonderfully painted with the Jelly Belly logo, and many Jelly Belly jelly-beans plastered along the sides of the airplane and his R.V. Winnebago. In addition, Kent sometimes shares Jelly Belly Jelly-Beans with children in the audience. A nice treat for young, future pilots.

My Favourite Act!
Kent’s performance was my personal favourite act of the 2010 Waterloo air show, and I was very, very happy to see that he is returning for the 2011 Waterloo Air Show. The spectacular nature of the jet performances, including the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, are truly wonderful, but I still found Kent’s performance to be my absolute favourite of the show! You really feel the airmanship of his performance as he performs steep banks only inches from the ground. On several occasions, a wingtip almost made contact with the ground. It takes incredible skill and precision to fly an airplane like Kent controls his Interstate Cadet.

1941 Interstate Cadet
Kent Pietsch’s airplane is an Interstate Cadet built in 1941 by Interstate Aircraft and Engineering Corporation based in El Segundo, California. Kent purchased it from his uncle in 1973, and he has been flying it ever since. The Interstate Cadet is a two-seat tandem, high wing, single engine aircraft. Approximately 320 Interstate Cadet aircraft were manufactured, and these were all built in 1941 or 1942.

Interstate Cadet Specs
Kent’s Jelly Belly sponsored Interstate Cadet has a 90 h.p. engine, a 36 foot wingspan, and it’s about 25 feet long. With a top speed of 100 m.p.h., it can fly for about 5 hours on a single tank of fuel providing the Interstate Cadet a range of about 500 miles.

Interstate Cadet Airplane lands on moving R.V. Winnebago!
Watch Kent Pietsch land his Jelly Belly Interstate Cadet Airplane on a moving R.V. Winnebago. His performance also includes a spectacular Dead Stick Landing, and some amazing stunt flying as his Interstate Airplane appears to be falling apart before your eyes!

Interstate Cadet: Lands on moving R.V. Winnebago!

Watch Kent Pietsch land his Interstate Cadet on the top of a moving R.V. Winnebago at the Waterloo Air Show!

30 Foot Runway?
Kent performs a three act comedy routine with his Interstate Cadet, but the highlight of his performance is when he lands his airplane on the top of a moving R.V. Winnebago. That’s a like a 30 foot runway just slightly longer than his airplane. It may take several tries, but Kent will land his Interstate Cadet on this moving target right before your eyes

Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association
The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) is also scheduled to perform at the 2011 Waterloo Air Show. The Harvard Aircraft are always a popular sight and sound at any air show. The Harvard is one of the best known training aircraft in the world.

CHAA operates out of the Tillsonburg Airport, and they keep a fleet of restored Harvard and Yale aircraft in top flying condition for performances such as the Waterloo Air Show.

Propeller Tips
The Propeller Tips on a Harvard Aircraft spin so quickly, that they can break the sound barrier! When you see the Harvard aircraft flying by at the Waterloo Air Show, you will immediately hear the distinctive drone associated with these iconic aircraft.

Famous Colleges
These early training aircraft were named after Ivy League Colleges such as “Harvard”, “Yale” and “Cornell”. The Harvard aircraft will be a great sight (and sound) at the Waterloo air show.

Harvard Pilot
Harvard Pilot Edward Soye of the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA) spends a few minutes with LearnToFly.ca Editor Geoff McKay at the Waterloo Air Show. Edward was a former instructor at the Brampton Flight College.

You can see the massive engine and propeller on the Harvard in the background. Watch for the fleet of Harvard aircraft at the 2011 Waterloo Air Show. You can’t miss these huge, yellow, training aircraft with their distinctive drone.

Formation Flying
One of the great parts of the Harvard display is the precision formation flying including formation fly-bys and formation take-off and landings.

The Harvard Formation Take-off Photo above captures the precision and skill needed by these amazing Harvard pilots to perform their aerial display. In addition to the Harvard aircraft, you can expect many other performances at the Waterloo Air Show.

Scheduled Air Show Performers (Subject to change)

• Canadian Forces Snowbirds
• Kent Pietsch – Jelly Belly Interstate Cadet
• Canadian Forces SkyHawks Parachute Team
• Canadian Forces CF-18 Hornet
• US Air Force F-16 Viper East
• Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA)
• Mike Wiskus – Aerobatic Stunt Pilot
• Vintage Wings: F-86 Sabre
• Vintage Wings: Curtiss P40-N Kittyhawk
• Wayne Hadath – F-1 Rocket (Little Bit)
• Jet Aircraft Museum (JAM) – T-33 T-Bird
• Aerobatic Acts
• Historical Aircraft
• Warbirds

Other Attractions

• Aviation Trade Show Exhibits
• Kids play area and children’s activities
• Performer Autographs
• Food Vendors
• Beer Tent

RCAF F-86 Sabre Jet
Vintage Wings of Canada has an amazing fleet of historical warbirds including some of the fastest and best known fighter jets. This Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) F-86 Sabre Fighter Jet owned and operated by Vintage Wings is scheduled for the Waterloo Air Show.

Vintage Wings
Vintage Wings of Canada in Gatineau, Quebec will be flying their RCAF F-86 Sabre Jet known as “Discovery Air Hawk One”.

The F-86 Sabre was a predecessor to the Snowbird jet flown by the Canadian Forces, and the F-86 Sabre aircraft were flown by the Golden Hawks Aerobatic Stunt team. You can see the Gold colour, and the Hawk emblem on the side of this Vintage “Golden Hawk” Jet.

Vintage Wings and their aircraft are always crowd favourites. You’ll be amazed at the awesome speed and power of these vintage jets flown as they are flown at very low altitudes for great photo opportunities during the Waterloo air show.

Air Show performers will be coming from far away locations, many miles away, to impress you with their aircraft and their precision flying skills. But, there is one local hero who you will definitely want to see.

Wayne Hadath F-1 Rocket
Wayne Hadath is a local pilot and family man from Kitchener, Ontario. You’ll love his very fast, black and white zebra striped, F-1 Rocket called “Little Bit”.

Little Bit
Wayne’s F-1 Rocket is a custom built, hand-made, home built airplane project. Friends and family continually asked Wayne when he would be finished building his aircraft, and he would always reply “just a little bit longer…”.

When Wayne finally finished his home built F-1 Rocket, the name ”Little Bit” naturally seemed to be the perfect choice.

Speed!
Wayne’s F-1 Rocket is fast. Back in 2006, this F1-Rocket placed third in the Rocket 100 Air Race earning it recognition for its amazing speed!

Don’t miss Wayne’s F-1 Rocket “Little Bit” or any of the other great performances at the 2011 Waterloo Air Show.

Waterloo Air Show 2011
Don’t miss the 2011 Waterloo Air Show.

Parking and Shuttle
Parking costs $5 per vehicle (cash only) in the off-site parking lot, and a shuttle is then available to the show grounds.

Show Dates
Saturday August 20, 2011
Sunday August 21, 2011

Hours
10am – 5pm Daily
Air Show begins at 1pm Daily

Region of Waterloo International Airport
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Tickets
Tickets to the Waterloo Air Show may be purchased online in advance, or at the gate on the day of the show.

General Admission: $20 (ages 10-64) (Gate price)
Kids under 10: Free
Seniors (65+): Free
Veterans: Free

Website:
www.WaterlooAirShow.ca

See you at the 2011 Waterloo Air Show!

Related Articles:

1. Waterloo Aviation Expo and Air Show
2. Snowbirds at the Waterloo Aviation Expo
3. Hamilton Air Show June 2011

B-25J Mitchell “HOT GEN!” Medium Bomber

B-25 Hot Gen!
The North American B-25J Mitchell Medium Bomber owned by the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) is affectionately known as Hot Gen because of its painted Nose Art. It was customary to paint either ”Pin-Ups” or Comic Strip Characters on the noses of W.W. II Warbirds and bombers.

Nose Art
Nose Art is a decorative painting or design on the fuselage of a military aircraft. As the name implies, Nose Art is usually located near the nose of the aircraft, and it is a stylish form of aircraft graffiti.

Nose Art was originally used to help pilots and military personnel to identify friendly aircraft, and help forces to distinguish Allied aircraft from enemy fleets. However, the custom of painting Nose Art on aircraft quickly evolved, and it was later used to express the personality and individuality of the aircraft and the squadron. Crew would have a strong sense of attachment and loyalty to their aircraft and the Nose Art helped to personalize and animate the aircraft.

Hot Gen! Nose Art
(Whistle and Cat Calls go here. Click on the Nose Art Photo for a better view!)

Superstition and Luck!
Aircraft Nose Art was often used to remind the soldiers of home and bring back memories of peacetime life. The Nose Art also offered a form of “Psychological Protection”. Crew would feel a sense of protection, and they believed there would be “good luck” with them because of the iconic emblem on their aircraft.

Psychologically, the Nose Art help relieve the stresses of war and it was believed to protect the pilots and crew from the probability of death. The Hot Gen! Nose Art was added to the CWHM B-25J Bomber back in 1992. Then in 1993, the white D-Day Stripes were added to the medium bomber to give it the look we still see today. The B-25J Mitchell (45-8883) was also known as “Grumpy”.

Hamilton Air Show
It was at the Hamilton Air Show, when the editors of LearnToFly.ca were given an up close and personal tour of Hot Gen. We were invited on the Hot Ramp (Active/Live Ramp) and we were very lucky to get some awesome photos and video of the North American B-25J Mitchell “HOT GEN!” in action.

Twin Engine Bomber
It was absolutely amazing to see the Wright R-2600 Radial Engines roar to life. Each engine generates 1,850 HP, and we were quite close to the Twin Engines as each was started up. The B-25 Bomber then taxied to the runway for some impressive fly-bys with other W.W. II Warbird Bombers.

Watch the Video!
As you watch the video, you can see each of the Radial Engines being started up separately. First the Right Engine, and then about 25 seconds later, you see the propeller on the Left Engine slowly beginning to rotate.

B-25 Video: North American B-25J Mitchell “Hot Gen!” Medium Bomber

Watch the B-25 Mitchell Twin Engines start up, and then Hot Gen takes to the sky!

B-25J Mitchell
The North American B-25 Mitchell in action at the Hamilton Air Show.

B-25 in Flight
You can see how beautiful Hot Gen is, when you see this photo of the CWHM North American B-25J Mitchell Bomber in flight. The B-25 was a medium sized bomber, so it’s not the largest warbird you will see. However, it’s still very impressive and a spectacular aircraft to see in flight.

B-25J
The B-25 Mitchell was produced in many variants (A through J) with the B-25J being the final production version. Nearly 10,000 B-25′s were built, but the ‘J’ Variant was the most popular version, with a total of 4,318 built. The ‘J’ Version of the B-25 typically had a transparent Nose, but many were modified to utilize the more conventional solid nose such as we see here on this B-25J.

Machine Guns
You can see the many machine guns on the B-25 bomber. Most were forward facing for strafing missions, and the B-25J would usually be configured with 14 to 18 machine guns. Typically, these were .50 inch machine guns (12.7 mm), and they would be mounted to have 10 coming, and four going during attacks.

Mitchell III
The B-25 Mitchell was named after General Billy Mitchell, a well known U.S. Military Aviator. The B-25J owned by CWHM was known as a Mitchell III and it was painted using the colour scheme of the Number 98 RAF (Royal Air Force) Squadron which fought over North West Europe during 1944-1945.

NA-108
CWHM’s B-25J Mitchell Bomber (N-Number: NA-108) was manufactured and assembled at North American’s Kansas City Plant in early 1945. This B-25 Mitchell was first sold to civilian operators to be used as a corporate transport aircraft by several companies. It was used exclusively in civilian service, and it never did see military service. In 1975, CWHM found the B-25J aircraft abandoned in Wilmington, Delaware.

Extensive Restoration
After being rescued by CWHM, the abandoned B-25J Mitchell underwent extensive restorations and it is now a flying example of aviation history. Nearly seven decades old, this meticulously restored aircraft is a delight to experience, and it is maintained in wonderful condition to be shared with Canadians.

Noisy Roar
The B-25 Mitchell was well known for the extremely high noise levels produced by the twin engines. (You can hear the rumble of the twin engines from the video above) Many B-25 Pilots eventually suffered from hearing loss. The high noise levels were a by-product of the design of the engine cowling ring and the exhaust “stacks” that directed engine exhaust and accompanying noise directly at the pilot and crew compartments. Later modifications were used to re-direct the exhaust and noise through the bottom of the cowling, but the original B-25 engines would subject the pilots and crew to extremely high noise levels.

Pilots often remarked: “The B-25 is the fastest way to turn aviation fuel directly into noise!”

Flight Characteristics
The North American B-25J Mitchell is a twin engine medium sized bomber that was very sturdy and reliable. It could withstand terrible punishment and still return safely to base to be repaired before its next military mission. Pilots loved the flight characteristics, and they describe it as a safe and forgiving aircraft to fly.

Even with one engine out, the B-25 could be safely flown and well manoeuvred. With one engine dead, the B-25 could still handle a 60 degree bank into the dead engine with airspeeds as low as 145 mph.

The high cockpit and tricycle landing gear provides for excellent pilot visibility while taxiing.

Crew
The B-25 Mitchell typically had a crew of six with one Pilot, one Co-Pilot, one Navigator/Bombardier, one Turret Gunner/Engineer, one Radio Operator/Waist Gunner, and one Tail Gunner.

B-25J Mitchell Specifications:

• Maximum Speed: 275 mph
• Cruise Speed: 230 mph
• Range: 2,700 mi
• Service Ceiling: 25,000 ft
• Rate of Climb: 790 ft/min
• Length: 52 ft 11 in
• Wingspan: 67 ft 6 in
• Height: 17 ft 7 in
• Max takeoff weight: 41,800 lb

It was awesome to see this North American B-25J Mitchell “HOT GEN!” in action at the Hamilton Air Show. Thanks to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) and the Air Show for inviting LearnToFly.ca for a tour.

Related Articles:

1. North American T-28 Trojan
2. Curtiss-Wright SB2C Helldiver
3. Hamilton Air Show June 2011

The World’s Only Flying SB2C Helldiver!

CAF Helldiver
This Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Helldiver is the only Curtiss SB2C Helldiver still flying in the entire world! Approximately 7,200 Helldivers were built, and of these only five are left. Of the five remaining SB2C’s, only this one (Number 32) is currently flying.

The SB2C Navy Dive Bomber is an incredible aircraft. The editors of LearnToFly.ca had the rare and very fortunate opportunity to get close-up with this last remaining flying Curtiss SB2C Helldiver.

70 Years Old
The SB2C Helldiver was manufactured by the Curtiss-Wright Corporation for the US Navy during W.W. II. The first production SB2C Helldiver was flown in 1942, and now almost 70 years later, the last SB2C is still flying.

Last of the Dive Bombers
It was an awesome opportunity to see this last flying example of the SB2C Helldiver. Number 32 is the only flying SB2C Helldiver in the world, and we met up with Lead Pilot Mark Allen of the CAF as he gave us a personal tour of the aircraft. I’ve always loved the Navy Warplanes, but the SB2C Helldiver is a favourite for many.

Hot Ramp
The Learn to Fly Guys (LearnToFly.ca Editors Greg McKay and Geoff McKay) were invited on to the Hot Ramp (Active/Live Ramp) at the Hamilton Air Show for pilot interviews and a firsthand tour of the many warbirds and vintage aircraft. During the coming weeks, we will be sharing many of these exclusive pilot interviews and amazing up close photos of vintage warbirds with our online visitors and email subscribers.

Pilot Interview: CAF Pilot Mark Allen and the Curtiss SB2C Helldiver

Lead Pilot Mark Allen talks about the Curtiss-Wright SB2C Helldiver Navy Bomber

Carrier Based
The Curtiss-Wright SB2C Helldiver was designed for the US Navy to be a Carrier based dive bomber. The CAF Helldiver (Number 32) flown by pilot Mark Allen is the SB2C-5 model. This was the last production version of the SB2C and it was in active service by the Navy from July 5, 1945 through August 31, 1948. The Helldiver’s two tone navy blue and grey colours are commemorative of the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Franklin CV-13.

Folding Wings
As a Carrier based Navy warbird, the SB2C Helldiver was designed with Folding Wings! It’s truly amazing to see this aircraft open and close its wings. By folding the wings up, the footprint required on the aircraft carrier deck would be minimized, allowing for considerably more aircraft to be utilized. At war, it was desirable to have the maximum number of warbirds that could be operated and flown from a single aircraft carrier.

Don’t try this in Flight!
Pilot Mark Allen demonstrates the awesome engineering of this aircraft as he automatically opens or closes the wings. Obviously, he would never do this in flight, but for ground operations it is truly incredible to watch as the wings fold up and the wing tips come to rest nested together above the cockpit. For aviation technology designed and built almost seven decades ago, it is fantastic even to this day!

The folding wings of the SB2C Helldiver are unforgettable. With this being the last flying SB2C Helldiver in the world, it was an honour to see this unique and one-of-a-kind remnant of aviation history in action.

Clipped Wings?
Yes, those are the SB2C Wings neatly folded together above the cockpit as pilot Mark Allen and crew secure the airplane after a great performance at the Hamilton Air Show.

End of an Era
The Curtiss-Wright SB2C Helldiver was the last true Dive Bomber produced for the US Navy. Amazingly, SB2C aircraft were responsible for more ship tonnage sunk during World War II than any other type of aircraft.

Big-Tailed Beast
The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver was often referred to as the “Big-Tailed Beast”, or simply the “Beast” and it was an important asset in the US Navy’s arsenal of weapons and armament. Lead Pilot Mark Allen tells us he started by flying the Harvard, but he is now especially lucky and privileged to be commanding this last flying SB2C in the world.

Stunning Performance
The SB2C Helldiver has a stall speed of about 65 knots, and it can fly as fast as 350 knots in an 80 degree dive with the dive flaps out. Capable of plus 5 G’s and minus 3 G’s, the Helldiver has certainly earned its name!

Rear Gunner
The Curtiss SB2C Helldiver was equipped with a Rear Gunner seat. The aircraft was a two-seat scout and Dive-Bomber. Configured for one pilot and one gunner, the rear seat was for the gunner who faced backwards to defend the Helldiver from attack from behind. The rear gunner had two .30 calibre machine guns to protect the Helldiver from enemy attack.

Mounted in the wings were two (or sometimes four) 20mm cannons for strafing enemy ships and other targets during dive bomb missions. The SB2C also carried a payload of up to 2,000 pounds of bombs. (1,000 pounds could be carried in the bomb bay, and another 1,000 pounds of bombs could be carried under the wings) The SB2C could also carry up to eight 5-inch rockets.

You can see lead pilot Mark Allen preparing for a flight with an aerial photographer seated in the rear gunner seat.

Specifications
The Curtiss-Wright SB2C Helldiver could climb to 10,000 feet in less than 9 minutes, and it had a service ceiling of 26,400 feet. With a range of 1,805 miles, the Helldiver was a formidable force in the skies during W.W. II.

Take-Off
The Curtiss-Wright SB2C-5 Helldiver takes to the air at the Hamilton Air Show. It performed several fly-bys with other Navy warplanes from W.W. II.

The Helldiver was one of the greatest Navy Planes of W.W. II. The demand for the Helldiver by the U.S. Navy was so great, that the British only received 26 SB2C’s from a British order of 450 of these aircraft.

It was a spectacular sight to see, and it’s especially significant considering this is the only flying Curtiss SB2C Helldiver in the world!

Many thanks to the Hamilton Air Show, the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) and lead Pilot Mark Allen for spending some time with the editors of LearnToFly.ca. The Number 32, Curtiss-Wright SB2C-5 Helldiver Navy Dive Bomber is truly an original, and it’s nice to share details about this vintage warplane with our online visitors.

We look forward to sharing many more exclusive aviation videos and photos from our pilot interviews at the Hamilton Air Show.

Related Articles:

1. Hamilton Air Show June 2011
2. North American B-25 Mitchell Bomber
3. North American T-28 Trojan

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM)

Saturday June 18, 2011
Sunday June 19, 2011

Gates open at 9 am
Airshow starts at 2 pm

John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport
The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) is Canada’s Flying Museum.

CWHM
CWHM proudly presents the Hamilton Air Show being held June 18-19, 2011. CWHM first presented this airshow back in 1975, and now in 2011, the air show is being re-introduced in preparation for the 40th anniversary of the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum next year.

40 Years
2012 commemorates the 40th anniversary of CWHM. This year’s airshow (2011) will feature many vintage aircraft and warbirds, and the show will expand next year to celebrate the 40th year of CWHM in 2012.

The 2011 Hamilton Airshow will feature over 40 vintage aircraft. These vintage aircraft from past decades will be on display for everyone to enjoy some aviation history.

Vintage Aircraft
You’ll see incredible vintage aircraft from many organizations including:

• Vintage Wings of Canada
• Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM)
• Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association
• The Military Aviation Museum
• 1941 Historical Aircraft Group
• The Great War Flying Museum
• Commemorative Air Force
• Canadian Aerobatic Team

Hamilton Airshow
The CWHM Hamilton Air Show will be fun for the entire family. There will be static aircraft displays throughout the entire weekend, and the air show performance will begin at 2:00 pm each day. Everyone will love browsing the aviation exhibits and seeing the many restored, vintage aircraft. Don’t forget to bring your camera. You’ll have many great photo opportunities.

The Hamilton Air Show will feature:

• First time appearance in Canada of a German World War II Focke Wulf FW190 (replica) fighter
• Canadian Harvard Aerobatic Team
• Hamilton Sport Parachute Club Skydivers
• Mock dogfight by World War I replica aircraft
• Bill Carter’s aerobatic act with his Pitts Special S2S (Watch for his inverted knife edge ribbon cut)
• Many rare World War II aircraft including Curtiss SB2C Helldiver, P-40 Warhawk, Firefly, Corsair and P-51 Mustang
• Spectacular Heavy Bomber Formation: Avro Lancaster, two B-17 Flying Fortresses and B-25 Mitchell
• Formation of two rare Canadian Lysanders
• Salute to the British Commonwealth Training Plan: Tiger Moth, Stearman, Cornell, Finch and up to a 10-plane Harvard formation
• Canadian Memorial Flight: Avro Lancaster, Spitfire and Hawker Hurricane
• Victoria Cross Flight: Avro Lancaster, Canso, Corsair
• Static Aircraft ground display (approx. 20 aircraft)
• Aircraft rides
• Flight Simulators
• Aviation Souvenirs

Vintage Warbird Aircraft
LearnToFly.ca Editor, Geoff McKay pictured here with this vintage warbird. Don’t miss a great opportunity to see many vintage aircraft at the Hamilton Air Show. There will be both static and flying vintage warbirds at the show.

Canadian Aviation History
Many of these vintage aircraft are historically significant and are a part of Canadian Aviation history. The Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum is home to many vintage aircraft, and many will be featured at the air show.

Free Parking!
Public parking for the air show will be off-site located about 3 km away. Free shuttle transportation will be provided for air show visitors.

Advance Discount Tickets
Save money by purchasing your tickets in advance. Advance discount tickets are available until May 31, 2011. The advance discount tickets may be purchased at the Admission Desk at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum or by phone.

Call for Advance Tickets
Telephone: (905) 679-4183 ext. 229.

Admission Prices
Adult (18 – 64): $25 at the gate ($23 Advance)
Senior (65+): $20 at the gate ($18 Advance)
Student (13 – 17): $20 at the gate ($18 Advance)
Youth (6 – 12): $15 at the gate ($14 Advance)
Child (5 & under): Free
Member Price: Free

2011 Air Show Lineup
The 2011 Hamilton Air Show already had a great lineup of aircraft and performances. The Aircraft appearing are subject to change due to weather, serviceability and operational commitments, but many incredible aircraft are expected.

• Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress (Chuckie)
• Focke Wulf Fw190 A8/N (replica)
• Grumman TBM-3E Avenger
• Douglas AD-4 Skyraider
• Curtiss-Wright SB2C Helldiver
• Pitts Special S2S (Bill Carter Aerobatics)
• Royal Aircraft Factory S.E.5a
• Fokker DR.I (x2)
• Sopwith 1 1/2 Strutter
• Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress (Memphis Belle) (See photo below)
• North American P-51D Mustang
• Curtiss P-40N Warhawk
• Supermarine Spitfire Mk. XVI
• Goodyear FG-1D Corsair
• Hawker Hurricane Mk. IV
• Westland Lysander Mk. IIIA
• Avro Lancaster Mk. X
• Westland Lysander Mk. III
• Fairey Firefly Mk. V
• North American Harvard Mk. IV (x2)
• North American B-25J Mitchell
• Beech D18S Expeditor
• Douglas DC-3 Dakota
• Boeing Stearman
• de Havilland Canada Chipmunk
• de Havilland Tiger Moth
• Fleet 21
• Consolidated PBY-5A Canso
• Fairchild Cornell (x2)
• Nanchang CJ-6A (x2)
• North American Harvard (x7)
• Fleet Finch Mk. I
• Fleet Finch Mk. II

Memphis Belle
This famous Boeing B-17F Flying Fortress is very well known, and you don’t want to miss this incredible opportunity. The Hamilton Air Show will be featuring many spectacular aircraft, but the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress is always a crowd favourite.

In addition to this crowd favourite, you will see some of the heaviest and largest warplanes ever made.

Heavy Bomber Formation
Watch for the Heavy Bomber Formation featuring the Avro Lancaster, two B-17 Flying Fortresses and the B-25 Mitchell. This impressive formation of heavy bombers will be another highlight of the air show.

Static Aircraft
There will also be many Static Aircraft on display at the Hamilton Air Show. These static aircraft are located on the grounds of the show, and you can come early during the day to enjoy many of these static displays.

Static Airshow Display:

• Bristol Bolingbroke Mk. IV (restoration)
• Fleet Fort
• Grumman CS2F-2 Tracker
• Sikorsky H-5 Dragonfly
• Canadair CT-114 Tutor
• de Havilland Vampire FB Mk. 6
• Lockheed T-33 Silver Star
• Lockheed CF-104 Starfighter
• McDonnell CF-101B Voodoo
• Canadair F-86 Sabre Mk. 6
• Northrop CF-5A Freedom Fighter
• Avro Anson Mk. V
• Cessna Crane Mk. I
• Fleet Finch Mk. II
• North American Yale (x2)
• de Havilland Canada DHC-5 Buffalo
• Auster AOP-VI
• Grumman TBM-3E Avenger (restoration)
• Avro Canada CF-100 Canuck Mk. 5

Consolidated PBY-5A Canso
The Consolidated PBY-5A Canso is a flying boat that performed it’s maiden flight back in 1933. More Consolidated PBY’s were manufactured than any other type of flying boat or amphibian. This PBY belongs to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. Don’t miss this aircraft, and many more at the Hamilton Air Show.

Hamilton Air Show 2011
Don’t miss the Hamilton Air Show!

June 18-19, 2011 (Saturday and Sunday)

John C. Munro International Airport
Gates open at 9 am
Air Show begins at 2 pm

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
9280 Airport Road
Mount Hope
Ontario, Canada
L0R 1W0

Tel. (905) 679-4183
airshow.warplane.com

See you at the Hamilton Air Show!

Related Articles:

1. Canadian Aviation Expo 2011 Hamilton Air Show
2. Canadian Aviation Expo 2010 Hamilton
3. Canadian Aviation Expo 2010

Discount Coupon for Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival

SAVE!
Print this coupon and bring it with you to the Wings and Wheels Heritage Festival.

Downsview Park
Toronto (Keele & Sheppard)
Airport Grounds and the Canadian Air & Space Museum building

May 28-29, 2011
Saturday May 28
(10am – 6pm)

Sunday May 29
(10am – 5pm)

Save money with this coupon!
Compliments of LearnToFly.ca, you can save $2.00 off the regular priced admission at the show. Download and print this coupon, and then present it at the show entrance on the day of the show. Remember to print one for each member in your group.

WWHF
Don’t miss the Wings and Wheels Heritage Festival (WWHF). You will see vintage airplanes (Wings) and classic cars (Wheels) at this popular aviation and automobile event.

Great Family Fun!
The Wings and Wheels Festival is great for the entire family. There will be something for everyone, and your entire family will love seeing the airplanes and automobiles. This is the 6th annual WWHF, and the Toronto location (Downsview Park) is ideal.

Free Parking
There is free parking for those attending the show, and Downsview Park is easily accessible via TTC.

Free Museum Admission
The Wings and Wheels Heritage Festival is located on the Airport grounds at Downsview Park. The Canadian Air & Space Museum (CASM) is also located at Downsview Park, and you get free admission to the Museum with your paid admission to the show.

CASM is an exciting and fun year-round attraction. Aviation enthusiasts will love seeing the collection of historically significant aircraft on display at the museum.

Aviation and Auto Exhibits
Enjoy aviation and automobile exhibits at the festival.

• Airplane and Helicopter Flights
• Vintage and Warbird Aircraft
• Classic Cars, Trucks and Motorcycles
• Aviation Career Fair
• Canadian Forces Aircraft and Exhibits
• Military Vehicles and Displays
• General Aviation Fly-In
• Simulators
• Modellers
• Aviation Exhibits
• Seminars
• and many more events…

Wings and Wheels Heritage Festival
Downsview Park (Toronto)
May 28-29, 2011

Download your Discount Coupon

Print this Discount Coupon and Save!

Related Articles:

1. Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival 2011
2. Canadian Aviation Expo 2011 Hamilton Air Show
3. Hamilton Air Show June 2011

Downsview Park – Toronto – May 28 & 29, 2011

Wings and Wheels Festival
Don’t miss the 6th Annual Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival at Downsview Park, Toronto.

Discount Coupon
Save money with this Discount Coupon for Wings and Wheels Heritage Festival 2011.

Canadian Air & Space Museum
Sponsored by the Canadian Air & Space Museum, the Wings and Wheels Festival will be a great family weekend. The show celebrates the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan from 1939 – 1945.

Wings & Wheels
The 6th annual Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival showcases modern and vintage airplanes (wings) and vehicles (wheels). This is a rare opportunity to fly in a vintage aircraft or enjoy a helicopter flight or take a sight seeing flight around the CN Tower. Aviation and automotive enthusiasts will love the Wings and Wheels Heritage Festival!

Enjoy a Flight!
An added bonus to the Wings and Wheels Festival will be the exciting and rare opportunity for show visitors to go flying. Additional fees apply, but you and your family will have the incredible opportunity to go flying in a vintage aircraft. Helicopter rides may also be purchased, and the Brampton Flying Club will be providing flying tours that will circle downtown Toronto and fly around the CN Tower.

Toronto’s Largest Aviation & Automotive Gathering
Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival is Toronto’s largest gathering of aviation and automotive excellence. It’s a great event for the entire family. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to get up close and personal with airplanes and their pilots, classic cars and their drivers, and military vehicles and Canadian Forces personnel.

Exciting Event with Great Activities

• Airplane and Helicopter Flights
• Vintage & Warbird Aircraft
• Canadian Forces Aircraft & Exhibits
• Classic Cars, Trucks & Motorcycles
• Military Vehicles & Displays
• General Aviation Fly-In
• Aviation Exhibits & Seminars
• Aviation Career Fair
• Modellers & Simulators
• Canadian Air & Space Museum (CASM)
• Great Family Fun!

Vintage Aircraft
The Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival (WWHF) is a great place to see vintage aircraft and warbirds up close and personal. The location is ideal considering the show is held at the Downsview Park – home to the original historic de Havilland Aircraft factory, and Bombardier Aerospace’s Downsview Airport. The event is host to many indoor and outdoor exhibits for the aviation enthusiast, automotive buff, and the entire family. Watch for many vintage aircraft and warbirds to be displayed at the festival. Some possible exhibits include the famous Tiger Moth airplane and the world renown Harvard Trainer aircraft.

Past and Present
Don’t miss this fantastic display of past and present. You’ll enjoy seeing the large collection of aircraft and automobiles spanning many decades. You’ll see vintage airplanes and warbirds side-by-side with classic and modern aircraft and vehicles. The WWHF will be host to many exciting aviation exhibits, vendors, seminars, family-friendly activities, models, simulators, airplane rides and much more.

Up Close and Personal
Enjoy this rare opportunity to get up close and personal at the many exhibits at the Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival.

Visit the show and see impressive Military aircraft, Jets, Helicopters and many Historic and Vintage aircraft.

The Festival appeals to aviation fans of all ages and you have the rare opportunity to explore these aircraft up close. Talk to the pilots and exhibitors, and take photos of the many rare aircraft.

Canadian Air & Space Museum
The festival includes complimentary access to the Canadian Air & Space Museum’s collection of aircraft including their full-scale replica of the Avro Arrow. The Canadian Air & Space Museum (CASM) was formerly known as the Toronto Aerospace Museum. It was founded in 1997, and CASM is an exciting year-round attraction within Downsview Park.

The museum is full of Canadian Aviation History, and the building where CASM is located is also a significant part of aviation history. The building is the original 1929 home of the de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd.

The de Havilland Aircraft company is one of Canada’s most successful aircraft manufacturers. The CASM building is also located at the original home of SPAR Aerospace, one of Canada’s leading space technology companies.

Many types of aircraft, from the wood and fabric open cockpit biplanes of the 1920’s, right up to the advanced military aircraft of the 1960′s were built at this historic location. The historical significance of this location makes it a great backdrop for the location of the Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival. (WWHF)

Aircraft, Automobiles, Motorcycles and more…
The Wings and Wheels Heritage Festival features a large hangar full of aircraft and exhibitors and also a huge outdoor display of aircraft, cars and much more.

Show and Shine
The WHEELS part of the Festival will highlight and include many classic and modern vehicles. A Show and Shine contest, Car Club events, and a military vehicle display will also be featured. Automotive enthusiasts will love the wide selection of vintage, custom and working “wheels”.

Expect to see civilian and military cars, trucks and motorcycles. You can also be part of the judging. There will be awards in a selection of categories based on public voting at the Festival.

Confirmed Aviation Exhibits

• CF-18 Hornet
• C-130J Super Hercules (one day only)
• RCAF Sabre fighter Jet
• WWII de Havilland Tiger Moth
• Russian MiG-15 Jet
• Czechoslovakian Delfin L-29 Jet
• Snowbirds CT-114 Tutor Jet
• MD520N Helicopter

WWHF WINGS Showcase

• War time Military Training Aircraft flown by the RCAF as part of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan
• Modern Aircraft flown by the Canadian Forces
• Selection of Aircraft built by de Havilland Aircraft of Canada at Downsview
• Selection of Aircraft built by Bombardier Aerospace at Downsview
• Fly-in of General Aviation (GA) Aircraft
• Vintage Aircraft
• Warbirds
• Helicopters
• Home-Built Aircraft

50th Anniversary
The festival will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of the first flight of the legendary Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6 aircraft engine. This legendary engine was first used in flight at Downsview on May 30, 1961. Many of the aircraft types powered by the world renown Pratt & Whitney PT6 engine will be on display.

Toronto Wings & Wheels
The Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival is an affordably priced and exciting event for the entire family. You’ll enjoy the many attractions including the static display aircraft, airplane rides (additional fee), classic cars and the family oriented and popular Kids Zone!

Kids Zone!
The Kids Zone! includes free Face Painting for the Kids. Rosie the Clown will be at the WWHF event, and your kids will love having their faces painted. Check the show schedule for complete details. There will also be a Caricaturist and you and your family can see how you look as a cartoon character. Come out and get your personal caricature done for only $5.00!

Bring the kids. There are plenty of activities to keep your children entertained all day long! Kids Zone! offers incredible family fun and entertainment for everyone.

Rain or Shine
There are many indoor and outdoor events, so come Rain or Shine. There’s also Free Parking with admission to the show.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of classic and vintage aircraft and helicopters taking off all day long. You and your family can watch as the exciting and awesome jets come flying in! Pack a picnic and enjoy some old fashioned family fun at the Wings and Wheels Heritage Festival, Downsview Park, Toronto.

Save Money!
Save money, and purchase your tickets online, in advance, at:
www.WingsAndWheelsFestival.com

Ticket Prices Online
Adult: $12 (age 16 to 65)
Youth/Senior/Military: $8
Children: Free (5 and under)
Family: $25 (2 adults, 2 children up to age 16)

Weekend passes: Adult: $18; Youth/Senior/Military: $12
(prices include 13% HST)

Ticket Prices at the Gate
Adult: $17 (age 16 to 65)
Youth/Senior/Military: $11 (with ID)
Military in uniform & veterans with I.D.: Free
Children: Free (5 and under)
Family: $34 (2 adults, 2 youth)

Weekend passes: Adult: $20; Youth/Senior/Military: $13
(prices include 13% HST)

All prices include admission to the Canadian Air & Space Museum and Free Parking!

Dates
Saturday May 28, 2011 (10am – 6pm)
Sunday May 29, 2011 (10am – 5pm)

Location
Downsview Park
Toronto (Keele & Sheppard)
Airport Grounds and the Canadian Air & Space Museum building

If you like airplanes and you like automobiles, then you will definitely love the Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival.

For More Information
Tel: 416-49-WINGS (416-499-4647)
Email: info@wingsandwheelsfestival.com
Website: www.WingsAndWheelsFestival.com

See you at the Wing and Wheels Heritage Festival!

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1. Wings and Wheels Festival Discount Coupon 2011
2. Canadian Aviation Expo 2011 Hamilton Air Show
3. Hamilton Air Show June 2011

Canada’s Largest Indoor Aviation Event!

Saturday April 30, 2011
Sunday May 1, 2011
(9am – 5pm both days)
Don’t miss the Canadian Aviation Expo 2011 this spring. The CAE (Canadian Aviation Expo) is Canada’s Largest Indoor Aviation Event with over 100,000 square feet of indoor exhibits.

The CAE includes exhibits from virtually every aspect of aviation. Everything from ultra-lights to jets are on display including parasails, kit-planes, warbirds and general aviation aircraft. Find the latest in avionics, instruments, pilot gear and aircraft. Many flight schools, maintenance shops, government agencies and flying clubs will be exhibiting.

The CAE is held at the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum (CWHM) located at the John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport in Mt. Hope, Ontario, Canada.

The editors of LearnToFly.ca had a great time at CAE 2010, and we’re really looking forward to another great aviation show for 2011.

Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum
Your paid admission to the Canadian Aviation Expo (CAE) includes free access to the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum. This will be a great day for the entire family.

The Canadian Warplane Heritage (CWH) Museum is a living and interactive museum of aviation. It features actual aircraft used by Canadian aviators and the Canadian Military. Aircraft are featured from the beginning of World War II and up to the present.

The CWH Museum has a large collection of restored aircraft including warbirds that still fly. Many aircraft are also on static display and they are exhibited in an interactive format allowing visitors to truly experience Canadian Aviation history.

Expo and Fly-In
The Canadian Aviation Expo is Canada’s largest aviation trade show and Fly-In. You’ll experience Canada’s largest collection of Canadian wartime aircraft and see everything from Ultra Lights to Very Light Jets, Vintage Warbirds and Classic Trainers. If it flies, it’s at the Expo!

No Landing Fees
Beat the Traffic and Fly-in to the Expo. Landing Fees will be waived for the entire weekend of the show for all aircraft flying to the Canadian Aviation Expo. You will need to fill out a Flight Line Pass and submit it at the Fly-In Entrance. Show staff will assist you to ensure your are not billed for your landing when attending the show.

Rain or Shine
As you can see from this Aerial View of the CWH Museum, the indoor portion of the show takes advantage of the huge indoor venue for hosting exhibits. Rain or shine, come out regardless of the weather. Even if it pours rain, you’ll still have a great time inside the show area with the many indoor aviation exhibits and aircraft on display.

Airplane Rides
While at the Canadian Aviation Expo you can book airplane rides for you and your family. Various exhibitors will be offering Airplane Rides, and the cost for the experience is well worth the adventure.

Imagine an exciting ride in a Helicopter, Cessna 172, or even an authentic Warbird aircraft such as a famous Yellow Harvard from the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association (CHAA).

Canadian Aviation Expo 2011 – Air Show Map

Air Show Exhibits
On the right side of the Indoor Hall, you will see the many vintage warplanes that make up the Canadian Warplane Heritage (CWH)  collection.

The left side of the indoor hall will contain the many aviation exhibitor booths displaying everything from aircrafts to flight training clubs to pilot gear and pilot accessories.

Bring your Camera!
Remember to bring your camera. The Canadian Aviation Expo is a fantastic opportunity for you to take great pictures of the many famous Canadian Warbirds and newer aircraft.

Don’t miss the Lockheed Canadair CF-104 Starfighter, Boeing PT-27 Stearman, Vickers Supermarine Spitfire L.F. Mark XVIe and the Avro Lancaster MK X Bomber.

2011 Flight Schedule
The 2011 Flight Schedule already promises many incredible demonstrations. These flying demonstrations are scheduled for both the Saturday and Sunday of the show. You and your family will love the flying portions of the show, and it will be a great way to spend your weekend.

Flying Displays

• Canadian Forces SkyHawks Parachute Team
• Canadair T-33 Silver Star – Jet (T-bird)
• North American Harvard IV – WW2 Trainer
• Beech D18S Twin – Light Transport
• North American B-25J Mitchell – Bomber

2011 Warbird Ground School and Flight Program
New this year, the Canadian Aviation Expo offers a Warbird Ground School. This is an incredible opportunity for all the pilots out there! You can enroll in an authentic Warbird Ground School held during the show, and then have the chance to fly one of the great Canadian Warbirds!

Fly a Canadian Warbird!
Ever dreamed of flying an authentic Canadian Warbird? We’re not talking about just being a passenger, but actually being the pilot in the cockpit and actually flying the warbird!

Enroll Early
The Ground School for these legendary warbirds will certainly be popular. Enroll early to avoid disappointment. You will study the aircraft training manual, and take the ground school provided by experienced instructor pilots. After passing the written test for the type of warbird aircraft you have studied, you may be chosen to fly the aircraft. A lucky student will be selected from the ground school graduates to experience first hand the thrill of a lifetime.

Warbird Ground School Program
Register for the Warbird Ground School, and you will be provided with the training materials specific to the aircraft type you have chosen.

Warbirds to choose from:

• T-33 Jet Ground School (provided by Jet Aircraft Museum - JAM)
• Harvard Trainer Ground School (provided by Canadian Warplane Heritage – CWH)
• Beech 18 Transport Ground School (provided by Canadian Warplane Heritage – CWH)
• B-25 Mitchell Bomber Ground School (provided by Canadian Warplane Heritage – CWH)

Incredible Low Price
The Ground School Prices are only $35, $55 or $95 per student depending upon the type of Warbird you choose. This is a great low price, and the ground school is certain to fill up quickly. Only 30 students will be enrolled for each class, so you must enroll early.

After enrolling in the Warbird Ground School of your choice, you will receive the training materials. Prior to the classroom training, you will be required to study the material and complete an open book test. This ensures you are well prepared for the live classroom session.

Ground School – Flight Program
Ground School Students will participate in the class and be taught about the warbird aircraft. This is actual ground school for a legendary warbird. On the day of the ground school training, one of the trainees will be selected at random. This lucky student will move on to the flight training portion of the program. The chosen student will begin their awesome Flight Training experience immediately following the ground school. Each warbird ground school class is limited to thirty students. Don’t miss the chance of a lifetime. You must hold a valid Private Pilot’s License (or higher) and have a valid current aviation medical to participate in the Warbird Ground School Program.

2011 Canadian Aviation Expo
Don’t miss the Canadian Aviation Expo.

Dates
Saturday April 30, 2011
Sunday May 1, 2011

Times
9 am – 5 pm daily

Location
Canadian Warplane Heritage (CWH) Museum
Canada’s Flying Museum
Hamilton Munro International Airport

9280 Airport Road
Mount Hope, Ontario, Canada
L0R 1W0

Telephone: (905) 679-4183
Fax: (905) 679-4186

Email: info@canadianaviationexpo.com
Website: www.CanadianAviationExpo.com

Hope to see you at the 2011 Canadian Aviation Expo! The editors of LearnToFly.ca will be there!

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2. Canadian Aviation Expo 2010 Hamilton
3. Hamilton Air Show June 2011