CanForce Snowbirds 2014 Airshow Schedules

Editor Note: Since Monitoring Times ceased publication this month, Teak Publishing will take over publication of Larry Van Horn's Annual Air Show frequency guide and it will be available soon as a Kindle publication at Amazon.com. Watch this blog for a release announcement.



This is a tentative schedule that we have been able to put together from air show websites and various media reports. This schedule on the blog is subject to change without notice and is weather permitting.

Stay tuned to the MMP blog and check the "Milcom Blog Guide to Airshows" section on the right hand side of this blog for links to other schedules and field reports from readers during the airshow season.

Ed Blog Note: If you attend any of these events with your scanner in hand, I could use your field reports on the frequencies that the team is using. f you have anything to share, please contact me at the email address in the masthead of this blog. Your field reports are important to us to keep the annual Internationl Air Show Guide current.

2014 Show Schedule

May 2014

May 13 Moose Jaw, Moose Jaw, SK
May 17-18 Cape Girardeau Regional Air Festival, Cape Girardeau, MO
May 24-25 Salute to Veterans 26th Annual Celebration, Columbia, MO
May 28 TBD
May 31 Fort McMurray Air Show, Fort McMurray, AB

June 2014

June 1 Fort McMurray Air Show, Fort McMurray, AB
June 4 North Bay Armed Forces Day 2014, North Bay, ON
June 7-8 CFB Borden Canadian Forces Day & Airshow, Borden, ON
June 14-15 London Hot Air Balloon Festival, London, ON
June 18 Spectacle Aerien LA Baie, LA Baie, QC
June 21-22 Val D’Or, QB
June 24 St Georges De Beauce Airshow, St. Georges de Beauce, QC
June 28-29 Waterloo Air Show, Waterloo, ON

July 2014

July 1 Air Show Ottawa, Ottawa, ON
July 4 Moose Jaw, Moosejaw, SK
July 5-6 TBD
July 12 Yellowknife International Airshow, Yellowknife, NWT
July 13 Peace River Regional Airshow, Peace River, AB
July 16 TBD
July 19-20 Cold Lake Airshow – Centennial of Flight, Cold Lake, AB
July 23 Canada Remembers Our Heroes, Saskatoon, SK
July 26-27 Hometown Heroes Air Show 2014, Whitecourt, AB
July 30 TBD

August 2014

August 2-3 Big Valley Jamboree/Snowbirds Over Camrose, Camrose, AB
August 5-6 White Rock, BC
August 8-10 Abbotsford International Airshow, Abbotsford, BC
August 16-17 Bromont Air Show, Montreal, QC
August 20 Greenwood, NS
August 23-24 Moncton Air Show, Moncton, NB
August 27 Rotary Brantford Charity Air Show, Brantford, ON
August 30-31 Canadian International Air Show, Toronto, ON

September 2014

September 1 Canadian International Air Show, Toronto, ON
September 2 Whitby, ON
September 6 Royal Canadian Air Force Ball, Quebec City, QC
September 10 Port Stanley, ON
September 13-14 Wings Over Gatineau, Gatineau, QC
September 20-21 Oregon International Air Show, Hillsboro, OR
Sept 24 TBD
September 27-28 Redding Air Show, Redding Municipal Airport - Redding, CA

October 2014

October 4-5 TBD
October 11-12 TBD
October 17 Moose Jaw, Moosejaw, SK

Satellites could fix F-35 radio woes in High Arctic

Courtesy of the Canadian Press and CBC website:

A potential solution to the F-35's northern communication woes has been grinding its way through the federal bureaucracy for three years but has yet to receive the green light.

The Canadian Space Agency has been studying polar communications and determined in September 2008 that a pair of satellites over the High Arctic would vastly improve not only aircraft communication, but broadband access and climate change weather forecasting.

A decision on whether to build the satellites as part of the Polar Communications and Weather project is unclear because the agency, in partnership with National Defence and Environment Canada, is still consulting on the socio-economic impact.

Software which allows the F-35 stealth fighter to communicate in the Arctic won't be installed on its operating system until at least 2019 — at least three years after Canada takes possession of its first plane.

There has been no long-term commitment to the project, sources both inside and outside of government said Monday. The pair of satellites would cost $600 million to put in orbit above the North Pole by 2017.

The air force is working on potential fixes, including the addition of a communications suite currently used on the aging CF-18s.

One of the most important unknowns for software developers at U.S. defence giant Lockheed Martin, the F-35 manufacturer, is what satellites will be available to allow the jets to communicate through in the coming years.

The uncertainty over communications prompted New Democrats and Liberals to claim the jet is still a long way from being ready for prime time.

"There is no logical or reasonable explanation for the government's inflexibility on the F-35s," said NDP MP Matthew Kellway, a member of the House of Commons defence committee.

"We now learn they don't even work in the North. Will the Conservative now admit that a $150 million per piece is a bit expensive for a plane that doesn't even work?"

The purchase price of the highly-advanced jet was the subject of debate during last spring's federal election and the Conservative government continues to insist the cost per aircraft will in the neighbourhood of $75 million.

Both Defence Minister Peter MacKay and Government House Leader Peter Van Loan said opposition accusations were "totally false" and that the Defence Department was working on solutions.

"This aircraft will have state-of-the-art communications," MacKay told the Commons. "We won't take receipt of this aircraft for another five years and we're working closely with partners within the consortium to see that it has all of the operational capability for the 21st Century."

Interim Liberal Leader Bob Rae used the controversy to once again demand the Harper government put the F-35 contract out to tender.

The Polar Communications and Weather satellites are being developed in concert with Richmond, B.C-based MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA), which received the initial contract to study the concept polar satellites. The space agency only issued a request to study the economic impact of the project last month.

"These new Canadian capabilities are particularly important because of increasing Arctic exploration, the requirement to protect Canada's vast northern natural resources and for Canadian sovereignty in times of changing climate, political and economical conditions," said the Sept. 21 request for proposal.

Neither the company nor the space agency was available to answer questions Monday.

Halifax Nova Scotia high frequency weather and fax broadcast cease

Guess I somehow missed this announcement, but according to John Snyder on the Ocean Navigator Online website, the Canadian Forces Metoc (Meteorology and Oceanography) Halifax ceased high frequency weather and fax broadcasts on Sept. 2, 2010.

According to Senior Staff Officer Lt. Darryl Williams, “Canadian naval vessels are no longer using it because they receive weather information by other means. There are no plans to re-instate the HF weather and fax broadcast unless required for urgent military operational needs. The Canadian Coast Guard publication Radio Aids to Marine Navigation has been updated to reflect the status of the Canadian Forces Fleet Weather Broadcast.”

So the following frequencies CFH frequencies should no longer be active:

CALL SIGN FREQUENCIES TIMES EMISSION POWER
122.5 kHz ALL BROADCAST TIMES F3C 10 KW
4271 kHz ALL BROADCAST TIMES F3C 6 KW
6496.4 kHz ALL BROADCAST TIMES F3C 6 KW
10536 kHz ALL BROADCAST TIMES F3C 6 KW
13510 kHz ALL BROADCAST TIMES F3C 6 KW

CanForce Snowbirds 2011-2012 Airshow Schedules

The Canadian Forces Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Snowbirds, has announced their show schedule for the 2011 and 2012 seasons at the annual International Council of Airshows convention.

The schedule on the blog is subject to change without notice and is weather permitting, for everyones safety.

Stay tuned to the MMP blog and check the "Milcom Blog Guide to Airshows" section on the right hand side of this blog for links to other schedules and field reports from readers during the airshow season.

Don't forget to checkout our 12th annual Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2011 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for US and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

The web version of our March guide won't be posted to the MT website until mid to late April. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue before it sells out when it is released in the last week of February. Better yet, get a subscription and don't miss a single exciting issue of Monitoring Times magazine.

I hope to have a more detailed schedule very soon when the team makes its official release later this month, so stay tuned to this blog for the latest updates.

2011 Show Schedule

May 2011
May 4 Acceptance Show - Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
May 7-8 Winnipeg, Manitoba
May 14-15 MCAS New River, North Carolina
May 20-22 Kingston, Ontario
May 28-29 St Hubert, Quebec

June 2011
June 1 North Bay, Ontario
June 4-5 Sydney, Nova Scotia
June 8 Quebec City , Quebec
June 11-12 Bagotville, Quebec
June 18-19 Cold Lake, Alberta
June 22 Moosomin, Saskatchewan
June 25-26 St Thomas, Ontario
June 29 Sarnia, Ontario

July 2011
July 1 Ottawa, Ontario
July 16-17 Airdrie, Alberta
July 20 Cranbrook, British Columbia
July 23-24 Lethbridge, Alberta
July 27 White Rock, British Columbia
July 29-30 Big Valley Jamboree Camrose, Alberta

August 2011
August 1 Fort St John, British Columbia
August 3 Prince Rupert, British Columbia
August 6 Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
August 12-14 Abbotsford, British Columbia
August 20-21 Waterloo, Ontario
August 24 Stephenville, Newfoundland
August 27-28 Summerside, Prince Edward Island

September 2011
September 3-5 Toronto, Ontario
September 6 Whitby, Ontario
September 10-11 Windsor, Ontario
September 14 Gore Bay, Ontario
September 17 Gatineau, Quebec
September 24-25 Salinas, California

October 2011
October 1-2 Sheppard AFB, Texas
October 8-9 San Francisco, California
October 15-16 Houston, Texas
October 21 Year End Show - Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan

2012 Show Schedule

May 2012
May 3 Acceptance Show - Moose Jaw Saskatchewan
May 26-27 Jones Beach, New York

June 2012
June 2-3 Waterloo, Ontario
June 9-10 Borden, Ontario
June 16-17 Quebec City, Quebec
June 23-24 Mount Laurier, Quebec
June 30 Orillia, Ontario

July 2012
July 1 Ottawa, Ontario
July 14 Yellowknife, North West Territories
July 17 Inuvik, North West Territories
July 19 Norman Wells,North West Territories
July 22 White Horse, North West Territories
July 25 Watson Lake, North West Territories
July 28-29 Fort McMurray, Alberta

August 2012
August 1 Kelowna, British Columbia
August 4-5 Comox, British Columbia
August 11-12 Abbotsford British Columbia
August 18-19 Val D'or, Quebec
August 25-28 Summerside, Prince Edward Island

September 2012
September 1-3 Toronto Ontario
September 4 Whitby Ontario
September 8-9 Windsor Ontario
September 15 Gatineau Quebec
September 22-23 Duluth, Minnesota

October 2012
October 13-14 Daytona Beach, Florida
October 19 Year End Show - Moose Jaw Saskatchewan

Canadian Skyhawks Parachute Team 2010 Schedule

The Skyhawks are the first parachute demonstration team of Canada. Established in 1971, the team already has more than 5,000 successful jumps that have dazzled more than 75 million spectators throughout the world. Team Website: http://www.army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/skyhawks/

May 1-2 Kingston, ON CAV Motorcycle Show
May 6-10 Tuscaloosa, AL Tuscaloosa Airshow
May 19-24 Cherry Point, NC NC Airshow
May 27-31 Columbia, MO Salute to Veterans Celebration
June 4-7 Borden, ON CFB Borden Canadian Forces Day & Air Show
Jun 10-14 Victoria, BC MARPAC Fleet Review - Naval Centennial
June 17-21 Sydney, NS World Yacht Race
June 25-28 Davenport, IO Quad City Air Show
July 1 Cobourg, ON Cobourg Waterfront Festival
July 2-5 New Liskeard, ON Bikers Reunion
July 14-18 Duluth, MN Duluth Airshow
July 22-25 Lethbridge, AB Alberta International Airshow
July 27-29 Medicine Hat, AB Medicine Hat Ex and Stampede
July 29 Aylesbury, SK Aylesbury Centennial
August 1 Aylesbury, SK Aylesbury Centennial
August 2-5 Whitecourt, AB Wings Over Whitecourt
August 5-8 Wetaskiwin, AB Wetaskiwin Airshow
August 9-11 Rocky Mountain House, AB Rocky Mountain House Airshow
August 12-15 Abbotsford, BC Abbotsford Internation Airshow
August 19-24 Chilliwack, BC Chilliwack Flight Fest
August 27-30 Val-d'Or, QC 75e Anniversaire de la Ville de Val-d'Or
August 31 Brantford, ON Rotary Brantford Charity Airshow
September 1-2 Brantford, ON Rotary Brantford Charity Airshow
September 3 Oakville, ON 40th Annual Tin Hat Memorial Golf Tournament & Mess Dinner
September 9-13 Halifax, NS Nova Scotia International Airshow
September 15-20 Hechel, Belgium International Sanicole Airshow
September 23-26 Lindsay, ON Lindsay Central Exhibition
October 8-10 Little Rock, AR Little Rock AFB Air Show
October 14-18 Marietta, GA Wings Over Marietta
November 3-9 San Antonio, TX Lackland Airfest
November 25-29 Acapulco, Mexico Acapulco Airshow

CanForce Snow Birds 2010 Airshow Schedule Update 2

15 WING MOOSE JAW, SASKATCHEWAN - The Canadian Forces Snowbirds have officially released their 2010 show schedule.

During the 2010 season, the Snowbirds are scheduled to participate in over 33 air shows in 30 locations, proudly telling the Canadian Forces story through their inspirational flying. As ambassadors of the Canadian Forces and Canada, the team will travel as far North as Anchorage, Alaska, as far South as Daytona Beach, Fla., as far West as Victoria, B.C. and as far East as Halifax, N.S. June 12 and 29 the Snowbirds will be in Victoria, B.C. and Halifax, N.S., respectively to celebrate the Centennial of the Navy.

During the team's 39-year history, the Snowbirds have performed in about 2,195 air shows, before almost 135 million spectators.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds' mission is to represent the skill professionalism and teamwork of the Canadian Forces and to inspire Canadians to consider an exciting career in Canada's military. This schedule is subject to change without notice and is weather permitting, for everyone's safety.

Stay tuned to the MMP blog and check the Milcom Blog Guide to Airshows section on the right hand side of this blog for links to other schedules and field reports from readers during the airshow season.

April
April 24 Final Practice
April 28 Acceptance Show

May
May 01-02 Canadian Aviation Expo - John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport, ON http://www.canadianaviationexpo.com/
May 08-09 Thunder Over Niagara - Niagara Falls International Airport, NY http://www.thunderoverniagara.com/
May 13 SB: MasterCard Memorial Cup - Brandon, MB http://mastercardmemorialcup.com/
May 15-16 Neepawa Air Show 2010 - Neepawa Airport, MB

June
June 05-06 Borden Canadian Forces Day - CFB Borden, ON http://www.airshows.aero/OrgProfile/1945
June 12 Victoria Navy, BC
June 19-20 Waterloo Aviation Expo & Airshow - Kitchener, ON http://www.waterlooairshow.ca/
June 24 St George, NB
June 26 Charlo Airport, NB
june 29 Halifax Navy, NS

July
July 01 Canada Day
July 04 Vintage Wings of Canada - Gatineau-Ottawa Executive Airport, QC http://www.vintagewings.ca/
July 09 Calgary Stampede - Calgary, AB
July 21 Dawson Creek Airshow - Dawson Creek Airport, BC http://www.tourismdawsoncreek.com/event_airshow.php
July 24 Yellowknife International Airshow - Yellowknife Airport, NT
July 31-August 1 Arctic Thunder Air Show 2010 - Elmendorf AFB, AK http://www.alaskaairshow.org/

August
August 04 Wings Over Whitecourt Airshow - Whitecourt, AB
August 07-08 Wetaskiwin Air Show - Wetaskiwin, AB http://www.westaskiwinairshow.com/
August 13-15 Abbotsford International Airshow - Abbotsford, BC http://www.abbotsfordairshow.com/
August 21-22 Windsor International Air Show - Windsor, ON
August 25 Bagotville Airshow 2010 - Bagotville, QC
August 28-29 Val d'Or International Airshow - Val d'Or, QC

September
September 01 Brantford Airshow 1010 - Brantford, ON http://www.brantfordairshow.com/
September 04-06 Canadian International Airshow - Toronto, ON http://www.cias.org/
September 07 VandenBos Airshow - Ontario
September 11 Nova Scotia International Air Show - Shearwater, NS http://www.nsairshow.ca/
September 18-19 US National Championship Air Races - Stead Field Reno, NV http://www.airrace.org/
September 25-26 Chico Air Show 2010 - Chico, CA http://www.chicoairshow.org/

October
October 01-03 MCAS Miramar Airshow - MCAS Miramar, CA http://www.miramarairshow.com/
October 09-10 Daytona, FL
October 16-17 Wings Over Marietta - Dobbins AFB, GA http://www.dobbins.afrc.af.mil/
October 22-23 Year End/40th Gala

Don't forget to checkout our eleventh annual MT Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2010 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for U.S. and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

We are also running special issues throughout the season with aero and LMR frequency profiles at each military base the team will perform at. The first of those base profiles will be in the February issue of MT in our monthly Milcom columm.

The electronic web version of our March Air Show Guide won't be posted to the Monitoring Times website until late April to early May. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue before it sells out when it is released in the last week of February. Better yet, get a year's subscription (available in print and electronic versions) and don't miss a single issue of Monitoring Times magazine.

Trenton Ontario Airshow Online Feed Up Tomorrow

There will be an audio feed dedicated to the Trenton, Ontario, Canada air show tomorrow (Sunday). CFB Trenton frequencies will be scanned and the provider will have both the VHF air band and UHF MilAir band both on search the whole time.

Feed link:
http://www.radioreference.com/apps/audio/?ctid=4297
http://incidentbroadcast.com:8000/QuinteRegion.m3u

CFB Trenton Air show website:
http://www.cfbtrenton.com/anniversary/index.php

Schedule for Sunday July 5th

1:00pm - 4:00pm Air Display featuring:

* Skyhawks
* Snowbirds / Hawk One
* Griffon Search and Rescue Demonstration
* Hercules Para Drop
* CF-18 Demo Team
* Centennial Flight
* CC-150 Polaris / CF-18 air-to-air refuelling demonstration
* CC-177 Globemaster

Canadian Forces Snowbirds 2009 Schedule - Update #2

Don't forget to checkout our tenth annual Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2009 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for US and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

The web version of our March guide won't be posted to the MT website until mid to late April. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue before it sells out when it is released in the last week of February. Better yet, get a subscription and don't miss a single exciting issue of Monitoring Times magazine.

Canadian Forces Snowbirds 2009 Performance Schedule
This schedule is subject to change without notice.


May
May 2 CFB Moose Jaw, SK - 15 Wing Moose Jaw Air Show
May 6 Wahpeton, ND - Snowbirds over Wahpeton 2009
May 9-10 Barksdale AFB, LA - Defenders of Liberty Open House & Air Show
May 13 Anderson, SC
May 16-17 MCAS Cherry Point, NC - MCAS Cherry Point Air Show
May 20 Greenwood, NS - 14 Wing Armed Forces Day
May 27 Kingston, ON - Kingston Air Show
May 30-31 Rochester, NY - Rochester International Air Show

June
June 6-7 Portage, MI - Portage Air Show 2009
June 10 Sault Ste. Marie, ON
June 13-14 CFB Bagotville, PQ - Bagotville International Air Show
June 17 Baddeck, NS - Baddeck Air Show
June 20-21 St. Thomas, ON - Wings and Wheels Airshow
June 24 Orillia, ON - Orillia Air Show (fundraiser on behalf of the Community Foundation of Orillia and Area)
June 27-28 North Kingstown, RI - Rhode Island National Guard Open House & Airshow

July
July 1 Ottawa, ON
July 4-5 CFB Trenton, ON - 8 Wings Anniversary Weekend Air Display
July 18 Peace River, AB - Peace River Regional Air Show
July 19 Fort St. John, BC - 2009 Fort St. John Airshow
July 22 Airdrie, AB - Airdrie Air Show (Town Centennial Celebration)
July 25 Lethbridge, AB - Alberta International Air Show
July 26 Edmonton, AB
July 29 Prince George, BC - Prince George Air Show

August
August 1-2 CFB Cold Lake, AB - Cold Lake Air Show - Centennial of Flight
August 5 Penticton, BC - Penticton Air Fair
August 7-9 Abbottsford, BC - Abbotsford International Air Show
August 15-16 Saskatoon, SK - Canada Remembers International Air Show
August 22-23 St. Johns, NF
August 26 Gaspe, PQ
August 29 Windsor, ON - Windsor International Air Show

September
September 2 Brantford, ON - Brantford Air Show
September 5-7 Toronto, ON - Canadian International Air Show
September 12-13 Yarmouth, NS - Nova Scotia International Air Show
September 19-20 Scott AFB, IL - Scott Air Show
September 26-27 Colorado Springs, CO - In Their Honor Air Show
September 30 San Diego, CA

October
October 3-4 MCAS Miramar, CA - MCAS Miramar Air Show http://www.miramarairshow.com/
October 7 Tucumcari, NM - Tucumcari Rotary Club Airshow
October 10-11 Sheppard AFB, TX - Sheppard AFB Air Show
October 14 NAS Pensacola, FL
October 17-18 Cape Canaveral/Kennedy Space Center, FL - Air-Space Expo

Canadian forces assist in hurricane evacuation

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFPN) -- Canadian Forces officials deployed three aircraft in support of Air Forces Northern humanitarian efforts during Hurricane Gustav.

A CC-177 Globemaster from Trenton, Ontario, deployed to New Orleans to assist in the evacuation of people from hospitals and rest homes in the path of the major storm.

Two CC-130 Hercules from Winnipeg, Manitoba, deployed to Pensacola, Fla., to assist with search and rescue operations in the wake of Hurricane Gustav.

"We are always willing to help and are happy to do so, the same way the Americans would help us," said Brig. Gen. André Viens, deputy commander of the Continental United States NORAD Region here. "We take great pride in working shoulder-to-shoulder to save lives."

Lt. Col. Stephen Flanagan, an Air Forces North Emergency Preparedness Liaison Officer, deployed to Lakefront Airport to assist in the evacuation of people from hospitals and nursing homes.

"The first gusts of wind came in as the last planes were taking off," said Colonel Flanagan, who was on the runway until the airport closed at 7 p.m. Sunday. "If it weren't for (the Canadian aircraft), we would still have had patients on the ground when the first of the heavy winds came in."

Air Forces Northern and U.S. Northern Command officials work closely with those in Canada, an important mission partner, to provide search and rescue assistance, expedited by the recently signed civil assistance plan.

"The Canadians volunteered one of their CC-177s to facilitate the evacuation, which demonstrates a true unity of effort with our international partners," said Colonel Flanagan. "Without their participation, our mission would not have been as successful as it was."

Canadian Forces SkyHawks 2008 Schedule

I have no frequencies for this group in my files. So if you run into them this airshow season; have your scanner handy in the Close Call, Signal Stalker, or Signal Sweeper mode; and capture a frequency they are using, please drop me some email. So without further ado, here is the Skyhawk 2008 schedule.

Canadian Forces Skyhawks 2008 Performance Schedule
This schedule is subject to change without notice.

May 2008

3-4 Moreno Valley, California - March AFB Airfest 2008 Air Show
14-15 Kingston, Ontario Canada - RMC Sunset Ceremony
17-18 Lancaster, South Carolina - Lancaster Airshow
24-28 Columbia, Missouri - Salute to Veterans Air Show
30-31 Southport, Manitoba Canada - Southport AFD

June 2008

7-8 Manitowoc, Wisconsin - Thunder on the Lakeshore
13-15 Québec, Québec Canada - The Québec International Air Show
20-22 Borden, Ontario Canada - Borden AFD
28 Cobourg, Ontario Canada - Cobourg Waterfront Festival
29 Brockville, Ontario Canada - Brockville Riverfest
30 Ottawa, Ontario Canada - Media Day

July 2008

1 Ottawa, Ontario Canada - Canada Day Flypast
1 Ottawa, Ontario Canada - Canada Aviation Museum
4-6 Calgary, Alberta Canada - Calgary Stampede
18-21 Edmonton, Alberta Canada - Capital EX/Edmonton Grand Prix
25-27 Memphrémagog, Québec Canada - Traversée internationale du Lac Memphrémagog

August 2008

1-3 London, Ontario Canada - London Balloon Festival
7-10 Abbotsford, British Colombia Canada - Abbotsford International Air Show
12 Rocky Mountain House, Alberta Canada - Rocky Mountain House Air Show
18-19 Stirling, Ontario Canada - 150th Anniversary Celebrations
17-19 Québec, Québec Canada - Québec City International Festival of Military Bands
22-24 Québec, Québec Canada - Expo Québec
27 Brantford, Ontario Canada - Brant United Way Air Show
29-31 Gatineau, Québec Canada - Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival

September 2008

5-7 Halifax, Nova Scotia Canada - Nova Scotia International Air Show
12-14 Yarmouth, Nova Scotia Canada - Yarmouth Airshow
18-29 Local to CFLAWC School Concentration
19 London, Ontario Canada - Red Feather Football Tournament
26-28 Salinas, California - California International Air Show – Salinas

October 2008

4-6 Washington D.C. - US Army Ten-Miler

Canadian Snowbirds 2008 Schedule -Update

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds were delighted to announce their 2008 show season schedule December 11 in Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America, during the International Council of Air Shows Convention.

"We are looking forward to a fantastic 2008 Season and to flying Canada's colours across North America," said Major Robert Mitchell, Commanding Officer, Canadian Forces Snowbirds. "Both in the air and on the ground, we remain committed to strive and represent the best of the Canadian Forces and to preserve our tradition of excellence."

During the 2008 Season, the Snowbirds are scheduled to participate in 65 air shows in 43 locations, proudly telling the Canadian Forces story through their inspirational flying and engaging team members. The team is also scheduled to conduct fly pasts of the following significant Canadian events: Canada Day, Calgary Stampede, The Formula 1 and Edmonton Grand Prix.

As ambassadors of the Canadian Forces and Canada, the team will travel as far North as Yellowknife, N.W.T., as far South as Fort Lauderdale, Fla., as far West as Victoria, B.C. and as far East as Halifax, N.S. The team is also looking forward to celebrating the 400th anniversary of Quebec City, Que., 14 and 15 June and to performing in their hometown of Moose Jaw, Sask., 23 August.

During the team's 38-year history, the Snowbirds have performed in about 2,100 air shows, before more than 125 million spectators.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds' mission is to represent the professionalism, skill and teamwork of the Canadian Forces and to inspire Canadians to consider an exciting career in Canada's military.

-30-

MT MIlcom Blog Readers: Don't forget to checkout our ninth annual Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2008 issue of Monitoring Times magazine. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for US and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

The web version of our March guide won't be posted to the MT website until mid to late April. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue before it sells out when it is released in the last week of February. Better yet, get a subscription and don't miss a single exciting issue of Monitoring Times magazine.

Canadian Forces Snowbirds 2008 Performance Schedule
The schedule below is subject to change without notice.

May
3-4 MacDill AFB, Florida - Air Fest 2008
7 Anderson, South Carolina - Anderson Air Show
10-11 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Wings Over Pittsburgh
14 Duluth, Minnesota - Duluth Air Show
17-18 Malmstrom AFB, Montana - Malstrom AFB Open House
21 Cranbrook, British Columbia - Cranbrook Air Show
24-25 Janesville, Wisconsin - Southwest Wisconsin Airfest
31 Portage-la-Prairie, Manitoba - 17 Wing Armed Forces Day

June
1 Brandon, Manitoba - Westman Air Show
4 Kapuskasing, Ontario - Kapuskasing Air Show
7-8 Montreal, Quebec - Formula 1 Race
10 Magog, Quebec - Magog Fly-past
14-15 Quebec City, Quebec - 400th Anniversary of Quebec
18 Kingston, Ontario - Kingston Air Show
21-22 CFB Borden, Ontario - Canadian Force Base Borden
25 Goderich, Ontario - Goderich Air Show
28-29 Ottawa, Ontario - Ottawa Air Show

July
1 Ottawa, Ontario - Canada Day Flypast
4 Calgary, Manitoba - Calgary Stampede Flypast
16 Thompson, Manitoba - Thompson Air Show
19 Yellowknife, North West Territories - Yellowknife International Air Show
20 Edmonton, Alberta - Edmonton Grand Prix Flypast
26-27 Wetaskiwin, Alberta - Wetaskiwin Air Show
30 White Rock, British Columbia - Wings Over White Rock

August
3 Dawson Creek, British Columbia - Dawson Creek Air Show
6 Penticton, British Columbia - Penticton Air Show
8-10 Abbotsford, British Columbia - Abbotsford International Air Show
13 Rocky Mountain House, British Columbia - Rocky Mountain House Air Show
16 Springbank, Alberta - Springbank Air Show
23 Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan - 15 Wing Armed Forces Day
27 Welland, Ontario - Welland Air Show
30-31 Toronto, Ontario - Canadian International Air Show

September
1 Toronto, Ontario - Canadian International Air Show
2 Whitby, Ontario - Captain Michael VandenBos School Flypast
6-7 Halifax, Nova Scotia - Nova Scotia International Air Show
10 Stephenville, Newfoundland - Stephenville Air Show
20-21 Victoria, British Columbia - Victoria Air Show
24 Tri-Cities, Washington - Tri-Cities Air Show
27-28 Chico, California - Chico Air Show

October
1 Douglas, Arizona - Douglas Air Show
4-5 El Paso, Texas - Amigo Air Sho
11-12 San Francisco, California - San Francisco Fleet Week
17 CFB Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan - End of Year Show

Canadian Snowbirds end season on high note

by Senior Airman Eydie Sakura, 341st Space Wing Public Affairs Office


MOOSE JAW, Saskatchewan -- The Canadian Forces Snowbirds aerial demonstration team celebrated their end-of-season show with special guests, family and friends in Moosejaw Oct. 12.

The 15th Wing commander, Col. R.D. Foster, and the Snowbirds team invited a small group from Malmstrom Air Force Base, Mont., and the Montana Air National Guard, up to Canada to thank them for their efforts in the crash recovery May 18, 2007, when Snowbirds 2 pilot, Capt. Shawn McCaughey died during a practice flight at Malmstrom prior to the team's two scheduled shows at the base's open house.

The celebratory end-of-season events kicked off with a 40-minute aerial acrobatics show, demonstrating the Snowbirds' precision movements and choreographed teamwork.

"Today's show was great, because just yesterday we were in those planes flying some of those exact same routines," said Col. Steve Asher, 341st Security Forces Group commander. "I appreciated the show much more today because we saw first-hand how much goes into each of the performances."

Colonel Asher and eight other Airmen received incentive flights Oct. 11 in the Snowbirds' signature plane, the CT-114 Tutor, in appreciation of all their efforts in May during the Snowbirds' season-opener event.

"The idea of flying in a Snowbird sounds far-fetched, and I'm still in disbelief that I took part in something of that magnitude," said Airman 1st Class Kenvin Keophakdy, 341st Medical Operations Squadron aerospace medical technician. "I'm very thankful I had the opportunity to honor a fallen pilot and to represent my country. In retrospect, tragedy is the soil that births many triumphs."

Maj. Robert Mitchell, Snowbirds commanding officer, said the year-end show is a culmination of the team's season and it's the opportunity to share the good experiences and bad experiences, but most importantly, it's about a celebration.

The festivities rolled into the evening hours, and roughly 180 people attended the Snowbirds' formal dining-in celebration here. The dinner featured several guest speakers and award presentations, as well as formal farewells to out-going teammates. Throughout the day of celebration, however, there was time for remembrance and reflection for fallen comrades. Major Mitchell said even though the team endured a great loss, the experience brought them closer together.

"We started out our season on a sad note; from day one, man, what a kick in the head for a team. Our very first day of the show season and we lost a great guy and a good friend," the major said. "That [experience] has changed every one of us. The team rose out of this and rose to greatness this year. Shawn's last gift to us was tightening our team."

The word "thank you" was brought up several times during the day, spoken from the mouths of people from Moose Jaw and the 15th Wing, and landed in the direction of the Airmen from Malmstrom and MANG during their visit with their Canadian counterparts.

Major Mitchell echoed those words of thanks and said he hopes to continue the friendship that has blossomed over the course of the spring and summer months.

"I cannot thank you enough for what you folks provided to us when we were down [at Malmstrom]," the Snowbirds commanding officer said. "It was obviously a difficult time, and what we saw has left a wonderful feeling of humanity for most of the people on the team; the way you rose up and provided everything, and a genuine concern for our team and our welfare. It's become an indelible part of the Snowbird experience, and we are connected to Malmstrom, and I hope it continues for many, many years."

Canadian Military Aeronautical Communications System (MACS)

The CC-177 arrives in Trenton. (photo: Cpl Tom Parker, 8 Wing)

Here is the latest information I have on the Canadian Military Aeronautical Communications System (MACS). If anyone has a recent electronic version of the Canadian Flight Supplement or the RAF Flight Information Handbook or ERSs, I would like to hear from you at the email address in the masthead.

Edmonton (Remoted to Trenton)
Voice Call:- TRENTON MILITARY
Initial MACS Contact Frequency:– 9007.0 and 11232.0 (USB) kHz
Frequencies (USB):- 3047.0 3092.0 4703.0 5717.0 6706.0 6745.0 6754.0* 8989.0 9007.0
11232.0 11265.0 11271.0 13257.0 15031.0 15034.0* 17994.0 18012.0 23250.0 kHz.

Trenton
Voice Call: TRENTON MILITARY
Initial MACS Contact Frequency:– 9007.0 and 11232.0 (USB) kHz
Frequencies (USB):- 3047.0 3092.0 4703.0 5717.0 6706.0 6745.0 6754.0* 8989.0 9007.0
11232.0 11265.0 11271.0 13257.0 15031.0 15034.0* 17994.0 18012.0 23250.0 kHz.

*indicates an exclusive Volmet weather broadcast frequency.

St. John's
Voice Call:– ST. JOHN'S MILITARY
Frequencies (USB):- 5717.0 9007.0 11232.0 kHz.

Search and Rescue
Rescue coordination center in Victoria, Trenton, and Halifax have the capability of communicating on any AEM(OR) SB frequency by utilizing phone patch facilities
through their connected communication facilities. Victoria RCC also has a transmit and receive capability on 5717.0 kHz AM.During SAR operations, only those stations actively engaged in these operations will make use of 5717.0 kHz. Aircraft other than those participating in SAR operations will be instructed to change to another MACS frequency.

Snowbirds honor Team Malmstrom

by Capt. Elizabeth Mathias, 341st Space Wing Public Affairs

6/1/2007 - MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. -- The Canadian Forces Snowbirds departed Great Falls at 12:45 p.m. June 1 in their distinctive red-and-white jets to return to 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

The team's CT-114 Tutor jets had remained in Great Falls following the team's departure May 21. Maj. Gen. Charles Bouchard, 1 Canadian Air Division commander, and Canadian Forces Flight Safety confirmed May 31 that the aircraft were ready for flight.

The Snowbirds flew over Malmstrom's runway as they left Great Falls, to thank the base for support provided to the team since the crash that claimed the life of Snowbird 2, Capt. Shawn McCaughey, during a rehearsal performance over Malmstrom May 18.

"It's a symbolic flight," said Lt. Petra Smith, Canadian Forces Snowbirds Public Affairs. "The team will fly in an eight-ship formation over the base to express our gratitude for all of the base's support. We will remember the outstanding support we received here and are very thankful for it."

The team's unique performances showcase nine Tutor jets flying precision formation maneuvers; the june 1 formation was the first time the team had flown since the crash May 18.

"Today's fly-over was poignant," said Col. Sandra Finan, 341st Space Wing commander. "It was a tribute to the connection between Malmstrom and the Snowbirds." Members of Team Malmstrom watched the formation from locations across the base.

Tthe team also visited the Montana Veterans Memorial May 31, where a tile bearing Captain McCaughey's name and a maple tree were placed in his honor shortly after the accident. The tile and the tree were donated by individuals living in Great Falls.

"The tile and tree at the Veterans Memorial were a particularly touching gesture," said Lieutenant Smith. "The team paid their respects and took pictures to show Shawn's family and fiance." The Snowbirds also flew over the memorial as they departed Great Falls.

The team planned to arrive in Moose Jaw in formation as well, the first step in returning to their 2007 season, which they will dedicate to the fallen Captain. The team's first performance is scheduled for June 20 in Owen Sound, Ontario.

1 dead in Canadian Snowbirds jet crash

The Canadian Forces Snowbird flight demonstration team lost a pilot during a show rehearsal at Malmstrom Air Force Base yesterday afternoon(5/19/2007).

The Canadian military identified the pilot as Capt. Shawn McCaughey, 31, of Candiac, Quebec. He is the sixth Snowbirds pilot killed in a crash since 1972.

Maj. Robert Mitchell, the Snowbirds' commanding officer, said McCaughey was flying upside down about 300 feet off the ground in a "routine maneuver" when the jet went down. The team had been in the air for about 45 minutes when the crash occurred, said Mitchell, who was flying lead plane. McCaughey made no radio contact and didn't indicate he was having trouble, he said. McCaughey, the only person in the single-engine jet, did not eject. He had been with the Snowbirds for two years.

The team had been scheduled to perform Saturday and Sunday at an open house and sport event at Malmstrom. An event organizer said the open house would continue, but the Snowbirds would not perform. "The team will take an operational pause to remember Shawn McCaughey like we need to, and then we will go back and do the rest of the show season," said Col. Richard Foster, commander of 15 Wing Moose Jaw.

The Snowbirds have been compared to the Navy's Blue Angels. They fly their planes almost daily, year-round - logging 3,700 hours annually.

A Blue Angels pilot died in a crash last month in Beaufort, S.C.

CanForce Skyhawks Parachute Team 2007 Sked

Here is the latest schedule the the CanForce Skyhawk Parachute Team for the 2007 air show season.

May
03-06 MCAS Cherry Point NC
12-13 McGuire AFB NJ
15-16 Kingston ON
19-20 Ft Jackson SC
24-28 Columbia MO

June
01-04 Portage La Prairie MB
07 Toronto ON
08-11 Bagotville PQ
15-18 Carp ON
22-25 St Thomas ON
30 Ottawa ON

July
01 Ottawa ON
02 Cobourg ON
03-05 Lawton OK
05-09 Calgary AB
18-23 Edmonton AB
27-29 Peace River AB
30 Stratford ON
31 St John's NF

August
01-02 St John's NF
03-06 Montreal PQ
09-13 Abbotsford BC
16-20 Saskatoon SK
29 Brantford ON

September
04-06 Fredericton NB
06-10 Halifax NS
14-17 Summerside PEI

Canforces CF-18 Hornet Demo 2007 Team Sked

The Canadian CF-18 Hornet flight demonstration team has released their 2007 show schedule. They will attend one air show in the U.S. and one in the United kingdom this year. The rest will be scattered over 6 Canadian Provinces.

The CF-18 Hornet National Demonstration Team is part of 410 Tactical Fighter (Operational Training) Squadron, based at 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alberta. 410 Cougar Squadron began at Ayr, Scotland, on June 30, 1941 as a night-fighter unit involved in the defence of Great Britain. Flying single-engined Defiants, the Squadron was operationally ready in August and moved to Drem, near the Firth of Forth.

June
2-3 Southport, Manitoba
9-10 CFB Bagotville, Quebec
16-17 Ottawa, Ontario
20 Owen Sound, Ontario
23-24 St. Thomas, Ontario
30 Evansville, Indiana

July
1 Evansville, Indiana
7 CFB Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan
13-15 RAF Fairford, United Kingdom
28-29 Peace River, Alberta

August
4-5 Lethbridge, Alberta
10-12 Abbotsford, British Columbia
18-19 Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
25-26 St. Catharines, Ontario
29 Brantford, Ontario

September
1-3 Toronto, Ontario
8-9 Halifax, Nova Scotia

And don't forget our eighth annual Air Show Guide that will appear in the March 2007 issue of Monitoring Times magazine is getting closer to release. It will be loaded with the latest frequencies (for U.S. and foreign teams), combined schedules, and radio equipment recommendations to make your air show experience an enjoyable and pleasurable one.

The web version of our March guide won't be posted to the MT website until mid to late April. This is done as a courtesy to our subscribers and readers who pay the freight. So get your copy of the March issue from your favorite newstand before it sells out (released in the last week of February). Better yet, get a subscription and don't miss a single exciting issue of Monitoring Times magazine. For more details visit http://www.monitoringtimes.com.

Snowbirds release 2007 show schedule

The Canadian Snowbird flight demonstration team has released their 2007 show schedule. They will attend six airshows in the U.S. this next year.

May
19-20 TBC To be confirmed
23 Penticton BC / Penticton Air Show
26-27 Brandon MB / Brandon Air Show

June
02-03 Portage-la-Prairie MB / Portage-la-Prairie Air Show
06 Kapuskasing ON / Kapuskasing Air Show
09-10 Bagotville PQ / Bagotville Air Show
13 Dalhousie NB / Dalhousie Air Show
16-17 Moncton NB / Moncton Air Show
20 Owen Sound ON / Owen Sound Air Show
23-24 St. Thomas ON / St. Thomas Air Show
27 Kingston ON / Kingston Air Show
30 Cobourg ON / Cobourg Air Show

July
01 Ottawa ON / Ottawa Canada Day Flypast
04 Evansville IN / Evansville Air Show
06 Calgary AB / Calgary Stampede Flypast
07 15 Moose Jaw SK / Moose Jaw 15 Wing
18 The Pas MB / The Pas Air Show
21 Fort McMurray AB / Fort McMurray Air Show
22 Edmonton AB / Edmonton Grand Prix Flypast
25 Fort St. John BC / Fort St. John Air Show
28-29 Peace River AB / Peace River Air Show

August
01 Prince George BC / Prince George Air Show
04-05 Lethbridge AB / Lethbridge Air Show
10-12 Abbotsford BC /Abbotsford Air Show
15 Kelowna BC / Snowbirds Fly for CHILD, Kelowna
18-19 Saskatoon SK / Saskatoon Air Show
25-26 St. Catharines ON / St. Catharines Air Show
29 Candiac PQ / Candiac Air Show

September
01-03 Toronto ON / Toronto Canadian International Air Show
04 Toronto ON / Flypast of the Captain Michael VandenBos School
08-09 Halifax NS / Halifax Air Show
14-16 Reno NV / Reno Air Races
19 Tucumcari NM /Tucumcari Air Show
22-23 Millington TN / Millington Air Show
26 Fayetteville AR / Fayetteville Air Show
29-30 Salinas CA / Salinas Air Show

October
06-07 Houston TX / Houston Air Show
12 Moose Jaw SK / Year End Show