Canadian Forces Snowbirds ready to dazzle Kelowna this weekend
Global News
Pilots and crews of the Snowbirds say they’ve been training for more than eight months for this weekend’s show.
Celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, Kelowna International Airport has brought in the Canadian Forces Snowbirds for two performances this weekend.
“This is exactly the type of thing we want to bring the community in, to our celebration for this anniversary,” said Geoff Ritchie, YLW senior manager of airport developments.
This weekend will be the first time since 2014 that the Snowbirds dazzled a Kelowna crowd with their aeronautic acrobatics. Given the team’s major popularity status in North America, booking the Snowbirds didn’t come easy.
“Everybody wants the snowbirds to perform, so there are limited opportunities,” said Ritchie.
“We were lucky to get in early and be able to have this. And, quite honestly, they enjoy being here in Kelowna also, so it’s a perfect match for both of us.”
The Okanagan’s complex terrain offers a more challenging scenery for the pilots to fly, though.
“It’s a little bit more technical, actually – it’s a valley, so there are mountains on one side and mountains on the other side,” said Capt. Gabriel Ferris, Snowbirds public relations officer.
“The pilots, when they fly their show, they have to dive in the valley to be able to maneuver and stuff like that. So it adds an increased difficulty for the pilots.”