The Abbotsford International Airshow is back for another action-packed weekend from Aug. 11 to 13 at the Abbotsford International Airport, with the theme Women in Aviation.
Highlights throughout the weekend include the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the US Air Force F-35 Lightning II, the US Navy E/A-18 Growler and the Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet.
This year’s event features several female role models in aviation and aerospace, including Major Kristin Wolfe, commander of the F-35 Lightning II demonstration team; Lieut. Brianna Bilunas, electronic warfare officer with the E/A-18 Growler demonstration team; Melissa Burns, world aerobatic competitor; and Vera Martinovich, B-25 Mitchell warbird pilot.
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The airshow also features the Friday Twilight Show on Aug. 11, including a drone light show and hot air balloon glow.
The custom GhostWriter, adorned with 4,000 LED lights and more than 250 pounds of pyrotechnics, transforms into a celebration of light and motion.
The evening also features pilot Kyle Fowler with his distinctive 1986 Long EZ and the CF-18 Hornet demonstration team.
The rest of the weekend includes an array of aerial performances, static aircraft displays, the STEM Activity Zone, food trucks and craft beer tents.
Gates are open 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. Friday, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The airshow features a few changes from last year, including two related to ticketing. Tickets will be date-specific and will no longer be flexible for any day.
There will also be a limited quantity of available tickets per day compared to previous years. It is unlikely that tickets will be available at the gate because organizers believe it will be sold out.
RELATED: Abbotsford International Airshow announces several logistical changes
The airshow also announced a reduced daily on-site parking capacity and extra traffic and parking resources. In recent years, including 2022, some attendees were stuck in traffic and missed portions of the show.
There will also be a new walk-in entrance on Saturday and Sunday to help reduce traffic congestion in and around the show.
The walk-in entrance is located at Chinook Aviation (30660 Rotor Drive) and is not available on Friday.
Those who want on-site parking must purchase that in advance as part of their ticket package.
In conjunction with the airshow, an Aviation 101 workshop for women takes place Friday, Aug. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Chinook Helicopters.
The seminar introduces women ages 16 and up to the world of aviation. Participants will hear from inspirational women, get hands-on with interactive activities and then attend the kickoff Friday evening airshow highlighting female participation in the air and on the ground.
Aviation 101 will be filled with classroom-based instruction followed by a catered lunch, then guided instructional tours of Chinook Helicopters aircraft and flight simulators, and a visit to the Abbotsford control tower.
Aviation 101 is not just about careers, but learning how an airplane flies, radio communications, navigation, air traffic control and Canada’s air space. The seminar offers something for those interested in general aviation or those thinking of a career.
The workshop is being hosted by The Ninety-Nines Inc., International Organization of Women Pilots and Elevate Aviation.
The cost is $15 for students and $30 for the general public.
Visit abbotsfordairshow.com to register for the seminar, purchase tickets for the airshow or view the complete schedule.