6th annual Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival showcases modern and vintage airplanes and vehicles

Rare opportunities to fly in a vintage aircraft, helicopter or around the CN Tower

Calling all aviation and automotive enthusiasts! The Canadian Air & Space Museum will host its 6th annual Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival at Downsview Park, Toronto on May 28-29, 2011.

Come and see a fantastic display of past and present, highlighted by a rich collection of vintage, classic and modern aircraft and vehicles. All this in addition to exhibits, vendors, seminars, family-friendly activities, models, simulators, airplane rides and more.

This is Toronto’s largest gathering of aviation and automotive excellence, where the whole family can get up close and personal with airplanes and their pilots, classic cars and their drivers, and military vehicles and Canadian Forces personnel. What better backdrop than the original historic de Havilland aircraft factory, and Bombardier Aerospace's Downsview Airport, all coupled with large indoor and outdoor exhibits.

An added bonus to the Festival will be a rare opportunity for guests to go flying in a vintage Tiger Moth, a helicopter, or one of the Brampton Flying Club's aircraft that will circle downtown Toronto! (additional fees apply)

The Wings:
Military aircraft, jets, helicopters and historic aircraft -- it will all be there! The Festival appeals to aviation fans of all ages, offering rare opportunities to explore these aircraft up close, speak to the pilots and take photos. Some aircraft will include a C-130J Super Hercules (one day only), a RCAF Sabre fighter jet, a WWII Tiger Moth, a Russian MiG-15, a Czechoslovakian Delfin L29, a Snowbirds Tutor jet and complimentary access to the Canadian Air & Space Museum's collection, including their full-scale replica of the Avro Arrow.

The Wheels:
The “Show & Shine” event is back -- the only event of its kind in Toronto! Automotive enthusiasts will relish the wide selection of vintage, custom and working "wheels" – civilian and military - from cars, trucks and motorcycles to army vehicles. Join us and be part of the judging! Awards in a number of categories will be presented based on public voting.

Don't leave the kids at home! A Kids Zone will offer lots of fun and entertainment for the younger ones.

Food, fun, sights and sounds await you at the Wings & Wheels Heritage Festival at Downsview Park.

Rain or shine. Parking is free.

Dates/Times: Saturday, May 28 10am - 6pm | Sunday, May 29 10am - 5pm

Where: Downsview Park & Airport, Toronto (Keele & Sheppard)

Tickets: Can be purchased online at http://www.wingsandwheelsfestival.com/  or at the gate.

Costs online: Adult: $12 (age 16 to 65)
Youth/Senior/Military: $8
Children: Free (5 and under)
Family: $25 (2 adults, 2 children up to age 16)
Weekend passes: Adult: $18; Youth/Senior/Military: $12
(prices include 13% HST)

Costs at the Gate: Adult: $17 (age 16 to 65)
Youth/Senior/Military: $11 (with ID)
Military in uniform & veterans with I.D.: Free
Children: Free (5 and under)
Family: $34 (2 adults, 2 youth)
Weekend passes: Adult: $20; Youth/Senior/Military: $13
(prices include 13% HST)

All prices include admission to the Canadian Air & Space Museum.

Free parking.

For more information: Web: http://www.wingsandwheelsfestival.com/
Tel: 416-49-WINGS (416-499-4647)
E-mail: info@wingsandwheelsfestival.com

Indy Transponder 09-MAR-2011 2200z

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Windsor International Air Show Aug 28, 29 & 30

Location: Windsor Airport, Ontario
Admission: FREE for Veterans, $20 for adults, $12 for youth 6-18
Parking: $5 to $20 for the day depending on location.
Value: Very good

There were lots of thundering noise, and lighting quick action in the sky above Windsor over the weekend of August 29-30 courtesy of the Windsor International Air Show. It was a blast to see Capt. Tim ‘Donor’ Woods in the CF-18 rocketing into the sky. The crowd watched the combined precision flying of Capt. Woods as he took the CF18, rolling only a few hundred feet above the tarmac, accompanied by the Hawk One F-86 Sabre and the CT-144 Centennial Tutor in formation. The spectacular flight, celebrating The 100 Years of Flight in Canada. The Canadian Forces had a great presence over the sky at the Windsor air show with the Skyhawks Parachute Team and with the famous Snowbirds.

The Windsor air show has been dormant for several years, and has been started up once again in 2009. The Windsor International Air Show is not to be confused with the Red Bull air races, held too, at Windsor annually. However, Michael Goulian, one of the performing pilots from the Red Bull series of events, who just come back from winning the Red Bull air race at Budapest, did participate in the air show.

The Windsor International air show was a great place to spend some time, to see, and learn about different aircrafts, and it was also a place to honour Canada’s War Veterans.
The directing team of the air show, and their volunteers has to be congratulated for organizing a very good air show, giving their welcome and hospitality to the Kids Kick Cancer on Friday, and recognizing the Veterans throughout the weekend! There were a good selection of static aircraft from the US, representing the USAF and Navy. Such as a rather unique ex Hurricane hunter C-130 Hercules, a KC-135R Tanker, a rarely seen C-2 Greyhound, and (4) four F-15C Strike Eagles, (too bad they did not perform!!). There were the usual no-shows due to maintenance issues or other related difficulties, but even without them, there were about 40-45 aircraft on the tarmac, including the WWII B-25 Mitchell, and a P-51D Mustang. In addition to the static aircraft, one could look at some antique cars, and some WWII vintage armor displayed near the Veterans area. There was also a WWII Avro Lancaster bomber, undergoing restoration on display by the hangar of the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association, along with the de Havilland D.H.98 Mosquito, wooden superstructure. For real historical aircraft buffs, these were planes to see.

The weather, unfortunately, was not cooperating much during the event. On Friday it rained heavily, and the Snowbirds had to cancel their practice due to this. Saturday started off with dark overcast clouds early in the morning, but cleared rather quickly, giving plenty of sunshine. The clouds returned however, and they provided a dramatic and very photogenic background to photograph the aircraft performing in the show. Sunday, it was very dark, chilly and very windy in the morning. Toward noon it started to clear, and the remaining clouds were not as dark, but it was still unseasonably cold, and windy. To photograph the aircraft with a larger lens was a challenge due to the wind shear on the lens. The layout of the show was well laid out, with plenty of flight line view available for the attendees and aspiring photographers. There were adequate food concessions (some from catering trucks) and the sanitation facilities were well spread out.

The performances ranged from very good to excellent. On Sunday the Snowbirds had to switch #3 to #10 just as they were about to take off, which delayed their performance, and cancelled their fly-by with the Hawk One. Despite the delay, their performance dazzled the crowds.

I would like to thank the following people who made me feel welcome and their hospitality was much appreciated: Keith Baxter – Director of Operation, Theresa Baxter – “Chief of Everything,” Bill Reilly – Media Operations, Brad Saunders – Ground Boss, Mike Beale of the Canadian Historical Aircraft Association, Lt. Errol McKenzie, Airport Security and his team. In addition, I wish to thank Capt. Tim Woods and his CF-18 Demo crew, and Capt. Cregg Wiebe, Snowbirds pilot who flew the Golden Centennaires Centennial CT-144 Tutor for their gracious cooperation.


The list of some of some of the performers and static warbirds at the show:

-Snowbirds
-Skyhawks Parachute Team Jump of the Canadian Army
-Golden Centennaires Centennial CT-144 Tutor
-F-86 Hawk One Sabre
-B-25 Mitchell bomber
-P-51D Mustang
-(4) US Air Force F-15 Strike Eagle
-US Air Force KC-135R Stratotanker
-US Air Force Hercules C-130H Hurricane Hunter
-US Navy C-2 Greyhound
-MH-53E Sea Dragon from the US the Airbome Countermeasures Weapons Systems Training School

Over all, the Windsor International Air Show was a very good show. While it was not the biggest air show this year in Canada, it was so far, one of the best, earning them a well deserved 8.75 out 10!