The Snowbirds, Skyhawks rock!
Dear Editor: On behalf of the Penticton Air Display 2017 committee, I would like to express our sincere thanks to the South Okanagan community and especially, the media, for the success of our air show last Wednesday.
I thought maybe your readers would like to share in some of the stories behind the event.
Firstly, the anxiety over the smoky conditions. Everyone was asking (for three days) “Will the Snowbirds be able to fly?” No one had the answer but we, the committee, knew that Snowbird One (the Boss), Patrick Gobeil, would do everything in his power to make it happen.
A practice was planned for 1:30 p.m. Wednesday to test conditions. Snowbirds 1, 8 and 9 (the solos) went to the airport but it was so socked in, the practice was called off. Patrick then decided that he alone would take to the air at 5:45 p.m. and, if it proved at all possible, he would order the others to join him.
Luckily for us all, he determined they could perform what they refer to as a “low show”, so that’s what we got.
I can assure you the Snowbirds wanted to fly even more than you and I wanted them to. Patrick was Snowbird One when they were here in 2015 and you might remember he put off the show for 20 minutes while a storm rolled through and then did a 40-minute show that was spectacular, ending just as a downpour began!
He told us after that show how proud he was of his team and how hard they had worked to give us what we think was the best performance we’ve ever seen them do. He was so excited to come to Penticton this year so his current crew; especially the solos, could enjoy the thrill of flying our challenging Penticton terrain. Didn’t happen. Next time maybe. Two other things about Patrick. They appeared on stage for the opening ceremonies after their performance. I walked them from the hotel to the stage which took us along the sidewalk in front of The Barking Parrot which was jammed with customers. The cheers, the applause, the shouted encouragement, the thanks as we walked by was incredible. And I was shocked when Patrick said to me, “This doesn’t happen for us very often.”
Can you imagine that? Just one of many reasons they love coming to Penticton!
And Patrick enjoyed his time here so much in 2015 that he brought his family here for a vacation last summer. They camped, floated the channel and had a great time.
Now, for the Skyhawks: Wow! If you were in the park when they jumped Wednesday at 5 p.m. you know! If you weren’t, you will want to be next time because you’ve never seen anything like it. Every person I’ve talked to who saw these guys up close just can’t say enough about the experience.
I especially loved the “Oh Canada” portion and the salute at the end. They were also incredibly generous with their time during the three days they were here, offering free tandem jumps for the media and special guests. Fourteen adrenaline jockeys, some of whom have over a thousand jumps under their belts. These guys would jump all day, everyday if they could.
Adding the Skyhawks and the CF-18 (was that loud enough for you?) was challenging for our committee but we are thrilled with the outcome. That said, we are applying for the Snowbirds, the Skyhawks and CF-18 again for next summer.
Will we get them? Who knows? But will we try? You bet! Peters Brothers has already said they’re in so let’s see what happens. Thanks Penticton! You’re the reason they keep coming back.
For the Committee, Fred Trainor Penticton
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