Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) 2016

Each year as summer draws to a close, on the last weekend of the Canadian National Exhibition (CNE), the Toronto waterfront sees the return of Canada's longest continuously running air show; the Canadian International Air Show (CIAS).

Now in its 67th year, the 2016 CIAS was proud to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) and the creation of the first 400 series numbered Squadrons of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF), formed as a result of the BCATP.

BCATP Aircraft

The BCATP, often simply referred to as "The Plan", was a monumental allied aircrew training program established early in the Second World War by the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The Plan has been recognized as a major Canadian contribution to the Allied war effort. For more information see our BCATP special report.

This year's flying line-up included demonstrations by a Beech 3NM Expeditor (Beech Model 18) and North American Harvard; two of the aircraft types that were used during WWII in the BCATP.

Over 9000 Beech 18s were produced between 1937 and 1970 with a large number seeing service during WWII as light transports, air crew trainers, and in the photo-reconnaissance role. The aircraft were used by the United States Army Air Force (USAAF), the United Stated Navy (USN), the RCAF, and the Royal Air Force (RAF). The Beech 3NM Expeditor seen at the air show (C-FTLU) is a privately owned aircraft based in Woodstock, Ontario, and is the navigation trainer variant of the Beech Model 18. This particular aircraft was built in 1952 and saw post-WWII military service with the RCAF from April 12, 1952, until July 7, 1967.

The Harvard flying at the show (C-FMKA) is a privately owned Mk II model also based in Woodstock, Ontario. The aircraft is painted in the classic "yellow wings" military colour scheme as seen on trainer aircraft used in the BCATP. This Harvard MkII was manufactured in 1941, in the United States, and was flown by the RCAF between July 8, 1941, and August 25, 1960, when it was finally retired from active military service. At one time during WWII it served with 14 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) in Aylmer, Ontario, one of the many flying training schools operating in the BCATP.

Air Cadet League of Canada

Also celebrating their 75th anniversary this year (1941 - 2016) is the Air Cadet League of Canada. The Air Cadet League of Canada is a civilian, non-profit, community-based and volunteer-led organization that operates in collaboration with the Department of National Defence and other partners. The League offers young Canadians ages 12 to 18 the opportunity to increase their knowledge of aviation, including flight and ground crew training. The league has been an inspiration to thousands of Canadian pilots, including senior Canadian Forces officers and Canadian Space Agency astronauts.
The Air Cadet's flying display included the Bellanca 8GCBC Scout tow-plane and the Schweizer 2-33 Glider. Both of these aircraft are used in the cadet flying training program.

BCATP Commemorative RCAF specials

The RCAF presented the CF-18 Demonstration Team. This year's CF-18 demo pilot is Captain Ryan "Roid" Kean of London, Ontario. The 2016 Demo Team theme is "Training for Victory". The 2016 CF-18 Demonstration Hornet paint scheme is styled after the high visibility "Yellow Wings" trainers used in the BCATP during WWII. For more information on the paint scheme, see our 2016 CFB Borden air show report.

In addition to the CF-18 Hornet commemorative paint scheme the RCAF also had one of their CT-156 Harvard II (156120) trainers painted in a representative BCATP "Yellow Wings" colour scheme. The aircraft is overall yellow and is displayed in the markings of a WWII North American Harvard flown by Pilot Officer (P/O) John Gillespie Magee, Jr., during his training at No.2 Service Flying Training School (SFTS) at Uplands, Ontario, in June 1941. P/O Magee is best known as the author of the poem "High Flight". For more pictures of the yellow CT-156 Harvard II take a look at the CFB Trenton air show report.

Other RCAF demonstrations

From 8 Wing, CFB Trenton, 436 (Transport) Squadron supplied a C-130J Hercules to perform a tactical demonstration. The C-130J is one of the RCAF's newest transport aircraft acquisitions. The aircraft tasked out of Trenton each day for its flying display.

Snowbirds

The air show always concludes with Canada's military aerobatic team, "The Snowbirds". Based at 15 Wing, CFB Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, and officially know as 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron, the Snowbirds continue to inspire all those fortunate enough to witness the flying skill and professionalism that is the RCAF and the Canadian Forces.