London International Airshow 2017

report by Danny Bonny & Thierry Letellier

London International Airport [ CYXU ]is located on the east boundary of the city of London, Ontario, Canada at 1750 Crumlin Road. The airport is classified as an airport of entry by Nav Canada.The main runway (’15/33′) is 8800 feet long and 200 feet wide. This makes LIA capable of landing wide-bodied aircraft. Air Traffic Control & the Flight Information Centre are both located at the airport.

Airshow London is a new not-for-profit venture and unique collaboration of business, education and public sector leaders. Mayor Matt Brown, an aviation enthusiast, welcomed the Airshow as an opportunity to showcase London’s capabilities and potential for growth in the aviation, defence and aerospace industries. 24-25/09/2017were the dates of this event.  The two stars of this show were without any doubt the CF-18 Demonstration Team and the Canadian Forces Snowbirds flying their  venerable CT-114.Throughout2017, the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces supported the Government of Canada in its Canada 150 celebration, participating in numerous events across the country. The London international air show was a special opportunity for the RCAF to join Canadians across the nation as was celebrated this event. Captain Matthew Kutryk was selected as the pilot for the 2017 CF-18 Demonstration Team. Captain Kutryk was programated  around North America during the 2017 air show season, flying his specially painted CF-188 Hornet commemorating Canada’s 150th anniversary of Confederation.

The other fighters participation for Canadian Air Force were a CT-156 Harvard II from the NATO Flying Training in Canada (NFTC)with a CT-155 Hawk. Student pilots graduate from the CT-156 Harvard II  continue to this highly advanced jet trainer.  Once they’ve logged 125 flight hours, Canada’s student fighter pilots are ready to join 410 Squadron, the Operation Training Unit, which flies CF-188 Hornets. A pair of those CF-188 Hornets took part to the flying display.

A CT-142 that is a  military conversion of the popular twin turboprop Dash-8 airliner joined the static part of the show. Air Combat Systems Officers and Airborne Electronic Sensor Operators from the Royal Canadian Air Force and from other Air Forces around the world are trained on this turboprop aircraft flown by 402 Squadron. The CH-146 Griffon is a Utility Tactical Transport Helicopter (UTTH) that has been in service since 1995.The Griffon’s primary role is tactical transportation of troops and material. One of the six Canadian Forces CC-115s from 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron out of CFB Comox, BC took also part to the flying display . The squadron is responsible for a SAR zone stretching from the BC–Washington border to the Arctic and it made a demo of it’s capabilities at London.

Amongst many participants, some highlights were noted. The 112th Fighter Squadron is a unit of the Ohio Air National Guard 180th Fighter Wing located at Toledo Air National Guard Base, Ohio. The 112th is equipped with the F-16C/D Fighting Falcon. A pair of 112 FS  Vipers were present in London Airshow. The “Grim Reapers” of Strike Fighter Squadron 101 (VFA 101), from Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, are the training squadron for the F-35C , one aircraft joined the static display. The 2 other F-35A came from Luke AFB and they flew with the USAF heritage flight. A pair of Super Hornet from VFA-106 “Gladiators” at NAS Oceana took part to the flying display as the East Coast  USN TAC DEMO Team. The other F/A-18E/F came from The Strike Fighter Squadron 14 “Tophatters” at NAS Lemoore and they joined the static.

Two F-15C from The 159th Fighter Wing at New Orleans NAS JRB Alvin Callender Field represented Louisiana Air National Guard. A pair of Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt from 127 Wing, Michigan Air National Guard at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan made some nice approach when they arrived. Amongst the static display, many others were noted : one E-6A operating as the airborne portion of the TACAMO Communications System. It provides survivable communication links between the National Command Authority (NCA) and Strategic Forces. Next was a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) The KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) The KC-30A aircraft is operated by No. 33 Squadron from RAAF Base Amberley to provide air-to-air-refuelling for air combat to enhance flight time and range.VAW-120 sent a C-2A and an E-2C to this static display. The  USAF sent a pair of KC-135 from ANG and a single KC-10 Extender from 60th Air Mobility Wing.

I really appreciate that Airshow because during the arrivals , the ATC for quietly every aircraft gave way to some local display before landing . Even for large aircraft like all the tankers and the E-6 that made some touch and go .That allowed us to make some pictures under some unusual nice angles. Globalairpower would like to thank all the London Airshow staff for their action to make this event so pleasant .