Canadian Forces Snowbirds Featured at Reynolds-Alberta Museum on July 26 and 27

July 18, 2008 Canadian Forces Snowbirds featured at Reynolds-Alberta Museum on July 26 and 27

Wetaskiwin... Smoke, precision, speed and synchronized high-performance aerobatics will be on display at the Reynolds-Alberta Museum for the 2008 Wetaskiwin Air Show on July 26 and 27.

This spectacular event will feature performances by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds Demonstration Team and seven other in-air acts. The theme of the air show is Remembering Our Veterans, and visitors will be able to interact with veterans from the Wetaskiwin Royal Canadian Legion in the autograph tent. The Reynolds-Alberta Museum grounds will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with the air show taking place from 1 to 5 p.m. each day. Visitors can also tour an outdoor display of more than 40 aircrafts on the grounds, take in the trade show, and take a Snowbird simulator ride. The Wetaskiwin Air Show is a free event courtesy of the Reynolds-Alberta Museum, City of Wetaskiwin and air show sponsors. Regular museum admission rates will also be waived for this special event weekend. Free park and ride service is available at the Wetaskiwin Mall. Parking is also available at the museum at a cost of $20 per car and $10 per motorcycle. Operated by Alberta Culture and Community Spirit, the museum is located two kilometres west of Wetaskiwin on Highway 13. For further information, visit www.wetaskiwinairshow.com or call 1-800-661-4726. -30- Media inquiries may be directed to: Cynthia Blackmore Marketing and Communications Reynolds-Alberta Museum 780-361-1351 or 1-800-661-4726 [email protected] To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. July 18, 2008

Performers at the 2008 Westaskiwin Air Show Canadian Forces Snowbirds The Snowbirds are the only jet team in North America to perform with nine jets flying in close formation. This requires the highest degree of piloting skill. The pilots have on average 15 years of military experience and thousands of hours flying various aircraft in the Canadian Forces. The show is both thrilling and beautiful, with more than 50 different formations and manoeuvres. The firework-like bursts, solo passes with closing speeds of 1,000 kilometres per hour and graceful nine-plane formations with close to four feet of wing overlap make this show awe inspiring. The Snowbirds travel across North America, demonstrating their dedication to the Canadian Forces with this amazing show. Civilian In-Air Acts: Bud Granley and Ross Granley Ross Granley is a former Canadian Forces Snowbird pilot. His father Bud joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1956 after earning his wings with a Royal Canadian Air Cadet Scholarship. This team has received the top award given by the International Council of Airshows -- the Art Scholl Showmanship Award. The Granleys fly three unique aircraft; a Fouga Magister Jet, Yak-55 and a T-6 Harvard. Pete McLeod At 23 years of age, McLeod is Canada’s youngest Air Show performer. Heflies the Giles G-200, is the 2006 recipient of the B.F. Goodrich Award and has taken second place in the Advanced U.S. National Championships.

Kent Pietsch Pietch offers up a comedy routine with extreme manoeuvres in an aircraft also known as the Jelly Belly. He is known for his exciting ‘dead stick’ routine, with total power off, and is the recipient of the 2007 Art School Showmanship Award, the top award from the International Council of Airshows. Dan Buchanan When asked why he flies, Buchanan’s usual response is, "I have to fly... I can't walk!" It has been said that Buchanan is one of the few performers who has been able to add magic to powerless flight, and has done so through his ability as a showman. He was paralyzed in a hang glider accident in 1981, yet his hang gliding abilities made him the recipient of the 1999 Bill Barber Award for Showmanship. Bill Carter Carter’s performance trademarks are both the inverted and knife-edge ribbon cuts in his Pitts Special S2S. Carter is from St. Albert, and is one of Canada's top air show veterans. He encourages youth to pursue a career in aviation if they share the love and enthusiasm for flying that has always been a part of his life. Team Rocket Team Rocket is a two-ship combination, with Eric Hansen in a F1 Rocket and Ken Fowler in the Harmon Rocket II. Hansen and Fowler have been performing together in formation for five years. As a team they are dynamic and fast and are the only team of this aircraft type in the air show industry. -30- Media inquiries may be directed to: Cynthia Blackmore Marketing and Communications Reynolds-Alberta Museum 780-361-1351 or 1-800-661-4726 [email protected] To call toll free within Alberta dial 310-0000. Alberta Government | Newsroom | Ministries Listing | Culture and Community Spirit Home Page | News Releases | Top of Page |