Abbotsford Airshow

2022 - 8 - 3

Post cover — Image courtesy of "Hope Standard"

USAF Thunderbirds roar into Abbotsford for annual airshow (Hope Standard)

The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds sure know how to make an entrance. The popular flight team roared back into Abbotsford Wednesday afternoon.

Their demonstration is a mix of six aircraft performing formation flying and solo routines. Gates open on Saturday and Sunday at 9 a.m. and close at 5 p.m. each day. Gates open at 3 p.m. on Friday and close at 10 p.m. after the fireworks show. The Thunderbirds will perform on Saturday and Sunday at 12:15 p.m. The officers and enlisted Airmen who make up the Thunderbirds embody professionalism and skill, says the Thunderbirds website. The four-ship Diamond formation showcases the precision and training of U.S. Air Force Pilots, as well as the gracefulness of the F-16. The two solos display the power and maximum capabilities of the mighty F-16 Fighting Falcon, a frontline fighter.

Abbotsford International Airshow celebrates 60th anniversary (Abbotsford News)

The Abbotsford International Airshow returns to a full-blown event this year for the first time since 2019 – in time to celebrate the event's 60th ...

A single-day pass to the airshow is $33 in advance for adults, $16.50 for youth (ages six to 17) or $85 for a family (two adults and two youth, plus parking for one vehicle). A carload single-day pass (for up to six adults) is $145 in advance. A highlight of this year’s airshow is the return of the US Air Force Thunderbirds, flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon. The team takes to the skies at 12:15 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The Canadian Forces Skyhawks Parachute Team is scheduled for 11:40 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The airshow kicks off with the Twilight Show on Friday, with opening ceremonies and the Skyhawks Flag Jump scheduled for 3:45 p.m. The show runs Aug. 5 to 7 at Abbotsford International Airport. Show times are 3 to 7 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. The show was cancelled in 2020 due to COVID restrictions and was held as a scaled-down event in 2021, but is back with a wide range of features for 2022.

Expect to see unusual aircraft in the north Whatcom sky during the ... (Whatcom News)

The 2022 Abbotsford Airshow begins Friday and continues through Sunday.

Aerobatic pilot Jodi Rueger takes to the skies at Abbotsford ... (Mission City Record)

Rueger debuted as an airshow performer in 2019, but the London, Ont.-born pilot has been fascinated with aviation from a young age and overcame numerous ...

“I maybe didn’t have enough respect for how important it is for women to see other women in these roles,” she said. “I knew all about the safety briefings and everything you have to prepare for,” she said. And everything is about managing the energy to get through the show.” Rueger admitted that the salary and adventure in the sky immediately intrigued her, but that she was dismayed when some said it wasn’t possible for her to achieve. She said the aerobatics is actually more involved and has more variety than what fans are often aware of. “So I just got a little spiteful and figured I would just find a way to do it on my own.”

Abbotsford International Airshow celebrates 60th anniversary (Mission City Record)

The event includes the return of a 300,000-square-foot static-display area featuring military and civilian aircraft, including the USAF C-FM Super Galaxy, the ...

Aerobatic pilot Jodi Rueger takes to the skies at Abbotsford ... (Aldergrove Star)