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2013 Canadian national
gold panning Championships Barkerville, BC saturday & sunday august 10 and 11, 2013
Come celebrate the sensational strike that started it all!
Gold panning events for all ages and skill levels Loads of prizes & trophies • Fun for the whole family Categories Child • Adult • Senior • Pro • King of the Creek Teams • Dash to the Dentist • Scavenger Hunt For more information contact Scott or Bob Rea at 250-994-3474 or 250-992-3579
Weekend admission is free to anyone showing a valid Free miner’s Certificate! PAGE 2 | SKYFEST 2013
Greywolf hiGhbankers
www.quesnelskyfest.ca
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President’s Message
he world of aviation and flight has always been a bit of a mystery for most people. Before having sat behind the controls of an airplane, I would sit in amazement in the passenger seat of a commercial airliner wondering how something so large could lift into the air and carry so many people large distances in such a short time. Flight is truly an amazing thing, and to be in control of it, is still something that only a few people in the world have the privilege of. However, this does not have to be. The world of aviation is more attainable than one would think. Even in the first days of early flight, people have been watching airshow displays. Early day pilots would fly from town to town landing in farmer’s fields, showing off their skills, and selling rides to pay for gas, just to demonstrate man’s new found freedom. From the first barnstormers, to the incredible skills of the modern day airshow performer and the precision flying of military demonstration teams, the modern day airshow has inspired many young and older people alike to join the world of aviation. We hope that this year’s Skyfest event will do the same. We have put together a world class line-up of civilian performers that are rarely seen together all in one place. In addition, we are proud to welcome our own Canadian Forces Snowbirds and F-18 Jet demonstration teams known the world over for their precision aerial choreography. If you like what you see, thank one of the many hard working volunteers that help to make this possible. If you are awed by what you see, please tell one of the many dedicated pilots that train hard to skilfully entertain and inspire everyone they perform in front of. If you are inspired to join the world of flight, or find a career in aviation, be sure to tell a friend that you found your dream at an airshow.
Welcome everyone, to Skyfest 2013, Quesnel’s world class international airshow! Jerry van Halderen President Quesnel SkyFest Society
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Coralee Oakes, MLA for Cariboo North
ith an amazing lineup featuring the Canadian Forces Snowbirds flight demonstration team, top civilian aerobatic performers, and the CF-F 18 demonstration team, Skyfest is sure to impress any aviation fan. The event is organized by the Quesnel Skyfest Society, a group made up of members of the Quesnel Flying Club and other local aviation enthusiasts and led by chief organizers Barb and Jerry Van Haldren. They have been hard at work putting together this year’s event, and I would like to thank them for their enthusiasm and dedication to bringing a fantastic show to Quesnel. I’d also like to thank the many dedicated volunteers who are giving their time to help out with this event. Attracting aviation fans from around the province, Skyfest is not just a great show, it is also a major tourist draw and a boost for the local economy. If last year’s Skyfest was anything to judge by, you will be in for a treat!
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Mayor Mary Sjostrom City of Quesnel
s Mayor of this great City, I welcome you to the 2013 Skyfest, Quesnel’s International Airshow.
We are excited about this year’s event as Skyfest will host the Canadian Forces Snowbirds; an exciting show choreographed to music boasting more than 50 different formations and maneuvers. And, Quesnel will also be visited by the F18s. I invite you to come out and enjoy this thrilling show! You can gear up for the weekend of fun with the Skyfest kickoff party in the parking lot behind Spirit Square [corner of Reid Street and St. Laurent Avenue] on August 2. If you are a visitor to Quesnel, Quesnel City Council and I welcome you to our community and we hope your stay is enjoyable. Take some time to enjoy our beautiful City. On behalf of Quesnel City Council, thank you to the Skyfest Planning Committee, volunteers, sponsors, donors and City staff who contribute to the success of the event. We appreciate your hard work! To the folks visiting, please come back soon!
830 am to 1pm EVERY SAT
May 4th - Oct 12th 2013 Helen Dixon Grounds
No Pets Please
Farmers’ Market QUESNEL,BC
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www.quesnelskyfest.ca
Skyfest Organizing Committee Jerry van Halderen Barb van Halderen John Bateman Len Bland
Penny Krebs Adele Worrall Sharon MacDonald Tina Mitchell
Curt Lovell Betsy van Halderen Caroline Mitchell
Welcome to Quesnel Welcome all Visitors & Performers to Quesnel. We are proud to be a Community Sponsor
Pharmacy Hours:
Mon-Fri: 9am - 7pm Sat. & Sun: 10am - 6pm
OPEN ON STATUTORY HOLIDAYS 890 Rita Rd. Quesnel • 250-747-4464 Open 7 days a week • 8am - 10pm www.quesnelskyfest.ca
City Council and the City of Quesnel welcome you to our community and the spectacular show, Skyfest 2013. With Skyfest only minutes from our downtown core, we invite you to explore and experience the wonderful amenities and services our community has to offer. Take a scenic walk on our renowned River Front Trail or take a hike on one of our many hiking/cycling trails in and around the Quesnel area. For more information visit www.quesnel.ca or call the Visitors Centre at (250) 992-8716. This years show is loaded with talented and well known performers - don’t miss it! Mayor Mary Sjostrom center and clockwise Councillors Laurey-Anne Roodenburg, Ed Coleman, Scott Elliott, John Brisco, Mike Cave, and Sushil Thapar.
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Bud and Ross Granley
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pectators rolling their eyes skyward may think they’ve been transported back to the 1940s when Bud Granley takes to the air. However, his T-6 Harvard single engine aircraft is all about what crowds want to see at a modern airshow like Skyfest. The vintage plane launches its performance with a snaproll on take off and continues to amaze through a 2,200-foot climb and many other outstanding moves. Bud isn’t alone in his performance, bringing in his son Ross who is just one of several of Bud’s offspring who have careers in the sky. In fact his family history is littered with pilots. The Granley team’s aircrafts includes a Fouga Jet, a two-seater jet-powered trainer aircraft which allows these skilled pilots to create stunning rolling performance. But possibly the most visually arresting performance is the father and son in Yak-55s, which are single-seat, aerobatic Russian aircrafts. Sychronization, take-off rolls, tumbles and turns, flips and loops wow spectators from takeoff to landing. Bud admitted his love of flying began at the age of nine, after seeing his father land a Tiger Moth biplane in his uncle’s farm. Together with his two brothers, Bud joined his father in a flying career which included time in the Royal Canadian Air Force both as a pilot and instructor on his beloved T-6 Harvard. Using this aircraft, Bud began his career in air shows through demonstrations of the T-6 for the air force. He flew for United Airlines until retiring in 1997. Of his six children, three served in the Canadian Armed Forces; two flew with the Snowbird aerobatic team and are now airline pilots. His son and team partner Ross was a pilot with Canadian Armed Forces and also a Snowbird pilot, a fighter pilot as well as a flight instructor. Transitioning to civilian life, Ross and his family joined Bud in Washington state where he is also a United Airlines pilot. One of his ongoing passions is performing with his father and entertaining flying enthusiasts.
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Melissa Pemberton
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omen are daring, skilled, excellent aviation show people, in a nutshell they are everything a man is with one significant exception – they’re women. Melissa Pemberton is one outstanding female aerobatic pilot whose shows provide gyroscopic maneuvers to the extremely complex and technical maneuvers learned through competition. Pemberton views each venue as a new palate where she can create a beautiful painting in the sky. And she’s bringing her creative daredevil antics to Skyfest in Quesnel. At just 29 years old, Pemberton brings a young, daring vitality to the airshow atmosphere. But don’t let her young years fool you, she earned her pilot’s licence at the age of 18 and has been perfecting her aerobatic abilities ever since with solo and formation experience, multiple competitive awards, International air show performances including over water and high density altitudes. A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pemberton was introduced to aviation and aerobatics by her flying grandmother in a Cessna 150 Aerobat. She now flies a Zivco Edge 540 which is capable of a 420 degree per second roll rate and a 3,700 foot per minute climb rate. With every show, Pemberton strives to be a positive role model and inspiration to young people in aviation and women across the world, showing them that no dream is too big and nothing is impossible.
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North Cariboo REALTY Ltd.
250-992-2207 • 1-888-992-2207
441 Kinchant Street, Quesnel, BC www.northcariboorealty.com • www.hqcariboo.com www.quesnelskyfest.ca
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Discovery Channel spotlights Skyfest
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iscovery Channel has contracted Great Pacific Television (GPT) production company to film the airshow at Quesnel Airport. Discovery Channel is filming a number of airshow pilots for a new series expected to air in March 2014. “We were looking for locations where several of the characters overlapped and Quesnel was one of those shows,” director Rob Mitchell said. “I came up with the idea for the series and pitched it to Discovery Channel and they bought the show. “The show will follow characters around the airshow industry including Donna Flynn the air show boss and the pyro/special effects team led by April Zalesky [will also be at Skyfest] and the rest are flying performers.” Mitchell is no stranger to flying. He’s a former Snowbird and currently flies with the Patriots Jet Team out of California. “I’ve been brainstorming about this type of show for a few years with Great Pacific Television owner Mark Miller and I bring a unique perspective both behind and in front of the camera,” Mitchell said. “I understand this industry at a very detailed level. “However, this is the first time airshow performers have been featured in this character-based series.” He added GPT has done flying travel journal style shows as well as documentaries on various airshow demo teams. In Quesnel, GPT will have two camera crews, production staff and one principal director. He
described the series as observational documentary where everything is filmed as it naturally unfolds. “Nothing will be scripted,” he said. Mitchell added Quesnel is a great choice because several of the characters will be there and the airport in Quesnel is a good venue to conduct an airshow.” But filming a live event poses certain challenges and Mitchell said the first of many is doing what they need to to do while the performers are safely doing what they need to do. “We have very skilled, experienced camera crews and we [production crew] have to ensure we get out of the way when they need to work along.” He went on to say the GPT crews will arrive July 31 and remain in Quesnel until Aug. 5. “In truth we’re trying to keep our footprint at the event low so we don’t interfere with the show. We keep a low profile and are not obvious to the performers.” As for the success of the series, Mitchell said the subject matter (air show pilots) has a built in audience given that about 10 million people attend air shows each year. “Unlike many other shows where interesting people are doing difficult jobs, this show has the built in audience so viewership is already there. But our job is to deliver compelling stories with good characters and vivid imagery.”
Flying to Vancouver and beyond from Quesnel will save you time and money with a short commute and FREE parking at the Quesnel Regional Airport! You can also use your Air Miles to fly with CMA by calling Air Miles (1-888-247-6453). Here is how to book flights from Quesnel: Quesnel to Vancouver on CMA: • Book by calling CMA Reservations (1-888-865-8585) or online at: www.flycma.com Fly on CMA and continue with WestJet beyond Vancouver: • Book by calling CMA Reservations (1-888-865-8585) or contact a local travel agency Fly on CMA and continue with Air Canada beyond Vancouver: • Book online at www.aircanada.ca or call Air Canada Reservations at (1-888-247-2262) Advantages of flying from Quesnel include: • Ability to shop for the best fare and most convenient travel times • One booking only – from Quesnel to final destination • Bags tagged by CMA in Quesnel through to final destination • Boarding passes provided by CMA in Quesnel through to final destination www.quesnelairport.ca or call 250-992-2208 for airport information
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www.quesnelskyfest.ca
Dan Buchanan
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tragic spinal injury while landing a hang glider in bad weather left Dan Buchanan a paraplegic but certainly not grounded. Audiences will remember his amazing performance at last year’s Skyfest where he hang-glided his way to the ground after an incredible show over the Quesnel landscape. Buchanan flies an unpowered hang glider (daytime shows) designed, built and registered with the FAA as experimental aircraft because of the commercial entertainment work he does. Buchanan’s factory-built aircraft are vigorously engineered, stress tested and instruction is mandatory. He also hold a commercial glider pilot license, enjoys sail plane aerobatics and giving glider rides when not on the Airshow tour. Many have wondered about the mechanics of Buchanan’s unique glider launch system which is mounted on a winch system and rolling launch trailer that he designed and constructed specifically for airshow take-offs. With his tow vehicle driving on the runway, Buchanan lifts off the towed trailer at an air speed of about 30 mph and quickly tow-climbs to an altitude of 1,200 – 1,800 feet. The pay-out winch on the launch vehicle spins out up to 3,000 feet of 1/8” tow-line against the applied brake pressure on the winch during his ascent. When he releases from the tow-line, a small ram air parachute is automatically deployed and the line is rapidly rewound electrically back onto the winch without the line ever falling to the ground. And that’s how Dan Buchanan flies.
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Kent Pietsch
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ent Pietsch, in his 800-pound Interstate Cadet with a 37-foot wingspan, stumbles a descent then scrapes his .wingtip down the runway, the crowd gasps, not certain if this is part of the act or truly a tragedy unfolding before them. It’s all part of this veteran airshow pilot’s spectacular show which is part of Skyfest - Quesnel’s International Airshow. But Pietsch has other tricks in his bag including a dead-stick routine from 6,000 feet and a rooftop landing on a moving RV. When Pietsch is at the controls of his plane, it’s impossible not to watch him perform. “If you can’t entertain, you have no business being out there,” he said. “The gratification is in knowing that people are enjoying themselves.” Since 1973, Pietsch has performed his incredible aerobatic routines for millions of people at more than 400 shows that have taken him to quality venues throughout Canada and the United States and now he’s adding Quesnel’s Skyfest to that impressive list.
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Shop located in trailer park beside airport PAGE 10 | SKYFEST 2013
www.quesnelskyfest.ca
In Memoriam
Brian Dougherty
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rian was born in Vancouver and began pursuing a commercial aviation career in 1980 after receiving his commercial fixed-wing license in Victoria. Following soon after, Brian received his commercial helicopter endorsement and his job in Fort Simpson, NWT. In the following years, Brian expanded his credentials and experience in aviation. Brian flew fixed wings and helicopters and just recently obtained his class 1 driver’s license. His hope was to drive truck in winter and fly helicopters in summer. Unfortunately Brian passed away April 2, 2013. He will be sadly missed by all who knew him. Skyfest 2013 would like to acknowledge Brian Dougherty’s contributions to our air show over the years. Everyone recognized he was the guy you could count on to do whatever was needed in order to keep the show running.
Toby Cave
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oby Cave was born in Battleford, Saskatchewan in 1922. He served in the Canadian Air Force as an aviation mechanic, where he developed his passion for flying. Toby moved his family to Quesnel in 1963 where he worked for B.C. Hydro until his retirement in 1982. He was an avid bush pilot and outdoorsman. He loved to fly to remote and isolated areas. He was a lifetime member of the Quesnel Flying Club and a longtime member of Quesnel Search and Rescue Air Crew. He and Doris visited the Yukon and Alaska a number times, both by truck and camper and airplane and flew across Canada once. Toby never lost his zest or enthusiasm for life, travel and his family and friends. He passed away Feb. 28, 2013.From its beginning, Toby was a strong supporter of Skyfest and attended both the 2010 and 2012 Skyfest events.
“You could look as good as me and my dates!”
”
Take a flight to our lower level & you'll be amazed at the great selection of shoes & Summer wear.
288 Reid St. www.quesnelskyfest.ca
Willis Harper 250-992-2135 SKYFEST 2013
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Super Dave
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hen asked why he’s called Super Dave, Dave Mathieson relaxes and begins an amazing tale. He was just 18 years old and flying a Cessna 180 float plane when the steering wheel broke off. Super Dave had to fly the plane by opening and closing doors and the manual effort of leaning back and forth. Despite several failed rescue efforts, Dave flew the plane for 52 minutes that way before beautifully landing the plane. Once on the ground he fainted. From the age of 8, Dave knew he wanted to fly. A glider flight and watching a Snow Birds performance, he was hooked. Thanks to Air Cadets’ pilot’s license scholarship program, Dave had his glider license at 15 and his power license at 16, the earliest age a person is legally allowed to fly. “As a career it was all about flight, at 18 I had my commercial license,” he said. He’s been a pilot for Air Canada Jazz, a bush pilot, started a float plane business in Greece, then went on to fly United Nations relief into Sumatra, charters in the Arctic, the Carribean and Maldives Islands. With more than 16,000 commercial hours of flying time in more than 160 different types of airplanes, some in test flights, he’s now a full time air show pilot. Super Dave said he’s quite looking forward to the Quesnel show. “Quesnel has a great airport, its clean, well organized and has a smooth runway,” he said, all elements important to the pilots. Super Dave said this type of flying is totally fun, but a lot of hard work. “Lots of hard time on the body – very unforgiving,” he said. “But this profession is very safe, everything is scripted and overseen by Transport Canada. Every pilot is evaluated through the Aerobatic Competency Evaluation.” He added he’s practiced his manoeuvres thousands of times, “I have a life wish, not a death wish.” For each air show the designated air boss provides an air box with all the regulations and specifications for the show. Super Dave pilots a Scheyden MX2. It’s his second season in this plane which is the only one of its kind in Canada. “It’s completely constructed of carbon fibre which makes it lighter and stronger. You can’t break it in the sky,” he said. “My plane has the highest roll rate at 500 degrees per second. With 385 horse power I can fly at 300 miles an hour.” And Super Dave does love to fly.
NORTH CARIBOO GROWERS’ CO-OP NOW OPEN 7 am - 7 pm Mon-Sat
• Convenience Store • Card Lock & Bulk Fuel • Tack • Agriculture Supplies
Shopping with us
PAYS DIVIDENDS
Ph: 250-992-7274 Division of Vanderhoof & Districts Cooperative Association
PAGE 12 | SKYFEST 2013
www.quesnelskyfest.ca
Skyfest 2012
Downtown Quesnel “Where your business is our pleasure” www.downtownquesnel.com
www.quesnelskyfest.ca
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he Canadian Forces Snowbirds are honoured to represent the skill, professionalism and teamwork of Canada’s proud military. Performing before more than 125 million spectators in their 43-year history, the Snowbirds fly Canada’s colours across North America. Flying from coast to coast, the Snowbirds visit small and large communities, bringing goodwill to all they have the privilege of meeting. Our team has a history – a tradition of excellence. With the dedication of 77 highly-motivated, enthusiastic and patriotic team members, 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron – the Snowbirds – will participate in more than 50 air shows from May – October of 2013. Traveling in 11 CT-114 Tutor jets and a mobile support vehicle, the 240-member show team radiates a unique love of aviation, military pride and national spirit. With extreme precision and grace, the Snowbirds perform their breath-taking formations and manoeuvres with mere feet of separation.
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Requiring the highest degre maintenance expertise, the plane formation with dista wing overlap at speeds rang during their exciting show, than 50 different manoeuv Representing the heroes of the Snowbirds fly in comple demonstrating inspiring tea Snowbird technicians exem for Aerobatic Excellence, t impeccab With tea Navy and embody the Can interoperability and p arms. Humbled by the rec icon, the Snowbirds remain their tradition of excel best of the Canadi
www.quesn
ee of piloting skills and e team flies their nineances as close as four-feet of ging from 100 to 320 knots which is comprised of more vres. f the Canadian Forces, ete synchronization, amwork. On the ground, mplify their motto, Safe Jets taking great pride in their ble maintenance record. am members from the Army, d Air Force, the Snowbirds nadian Forces’ spirit of pride in the profession of cognition as a national n focussed on preserving llence and representing the ian Forces and Canada.
nelskyfest.ca
THE CT-114 TUTOR
The Snowbirds fly the CT-114 Tutor, a trainer jet built by Canadair in the 1960s, used for pilot training until 2000. A robust and maneuverable aircraft, the CT-114 Tutor jet is ideally suited to formation and aerobatic flying. With its relatively slow speed (maximum speed 412 knots), coupled with its maneuverability, the Tutor jet allows the Snowbirds to keep the formation flying directly in front of the spectators. Similarly, with regards to maintenance, the Tutor is a robust, well-built jet that is relatively easy to maintain, allowing the technicians to ensure that all jets are ready to fly an average of two missions daily. The 7,170-pound Tutor jet is only slightly modified with a smoke-generating system, a distinct red and white paint scheme and a highly-tuned engine. The smoke- generating system provides beautiful smoke trails, but, more importantly, allows the pilots to better identify the jets and their flight direction.
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Skyfest 2012
FRANK’S
SUPERMARKET “Just About Everything for the Outdoor Enthusiast”
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SCHOOL DISTRICT 28 CONTINUING & ADULT EDUCATION Helen Dixon Centre · 241 Kinchant Street · Quesnel, BC · V2J 2R3 · Telephone: 983.6900 · Website: www.sd28.bc.ca
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Carol Pilon
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rom almost the beginning of aviation history, ever since the first shaky flights in flimsy contraptions, daredevil adventurers have been walking on the wings. Carol Pilon, who hails from Masham, Quebec, is following this tradition and will be dazzling audiences in Quesnel during Skyfest. Pilon first saw wing walking on a television commercial for a local air show and it was love at first sight. She’d found her calling. Pilon has been a professional wingwalker since 2000 and performed with no less than 17 different pilots, ten of which she helped accredit on five different types of aircraft. Her company, Third Strike Wingwalking has a few constants which they bring to every performance – a bright red biplane, a daring wing walker, the best pilot skills available and mountains of billowing smoke. You will find a smile under every tumble. Pilon is the first and only Canadian wingwalker and together with one of her company’s pilots, Melissa Pemberton, they form the only all-woman team in existence and they’ll both be performing in Quesnel. As if it wasn’t exciting enough, looking up at the sky during Skyfest just got a whole lot more thrilling with Carol Pilon. She has experience in dual wingwalking, formation wingwalking, nighttime pyro wingwalking and she simply excels at solo wingwalking.
Steak & Seafood Pasta & Steak & Burgers Seafood private meeting room Pasta & Burgers Daily Lunch Buffet special private meeting&room
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Gluten Free & Vegetarian Menu 240 Reid St. 778.414.9050
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Lingerie • Novelties Bachelorette & Party Supplies
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Skip Stewart
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kip Stewart considers himself an extreme airshow pilot and audiences at last year’s Skyfest will agree. With more than 8,000 hours of flying experience, Stewart is an airline transport pilot, certified flight instructor, has owned and operated an aerobatic flight school, earned gold medals in regional aerobatic competitions, served as a chief pilot for a Fortune 100 company and has spent more than 10 years entertaining airshow fans around the world. All this in an airplane he built himself. Fans will remember his daring tricks both close to the ground and soaring into the clear blue sky. Prometheus, which means forethought in Greek mythology, started life as a Pitts S-2S, but Stewart modified it to give him the airshow machine he always dreamed of. The plane resembles a good old fashioned hot rod, but with the horsepower increased to 400, the climb rate at a staggering 4,000 fpm, a maximum speed of 197 mph, stall speed of 58 mph and a range of 405 miles, Stewart’s flying machine is an all muscle bi-plane ready to do daredevil tricks and stunning aerobatics at Quesnel’s International Airshow - Skyfest.
Welcome all Visitors & Pilots to Skyfest 2013
Quesnel Visitor Centre
Travel info and bookings • Brochures Relocation info • Community info
Free Wi-Fi
318 Reid Street Quesnel BC V2J 2M4 Tel : 250 992 2104 Fax : 250 992 3038
www.quesnelskyfest.ca
703 Carson Ave. • Quesnel B.C. • V2J 2B6 250-992-8716 • Toll Free 1-800-992-4922 qvisitor@quesnelbc.com www.quesnelchamber.com SKYFEST 2013
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CF - 18
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ach year, the Air Force selects a special group of people to make up the CF-18 Demonstration Team. These individuals are hand-picked for their superior performance and dedication to excellence. Without the hard work of each and every team member, the CF-18 Demonstration Jet would never get off the ground. The Demonstration pilot is just what it sounds like – the pilot who is lucky enough to fly the CF-18 demonstration jet. The pilots chosen to fly the demonstration jet received special training and the position is considered an honour among the Canadian Air Force fighter community. A versatile, world-class fighter aircraft, the supersonic CF-188 Hornet, or CF18 as it is popularly known, can engage both ground and aerial targets. Its twin engines generate enough thrust to lift 24 full-size pick-up trucks off the ground. Every year, the crew of technicians that maintain the CF-18 demonstration jet and ensure everything is in working order is selected from two Air Force wings – 3 Wing in Bagotville, Que and 4 Wing in Cold Lake, Alta. The crew from 3 Wing supports performances in Eastern Canada while the group from 4 Wing supports those in Western Canada. Integris Credit Union is proud to partner with Skyfest 2013 – Quesnel’s International Airshow to present the CF-18 Demonstration Team.
L i f Life’s e ’ s b rbrighter ighter
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Kevin © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2012. 327 reid street, Quesnel bC V2J 2M5 © Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada, 2012.
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Michelle McKelvie, Michelle McKelvie, BBA BBA 250-992-5790 250-992-5790 michelle.mckelvie@sunlife.com
michelle.mckelvie@sunlife.com www.sunlife.ca/michelle.mckelvie www.sunlife.ca/michelle.mckelvie
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HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 7am - 6pm • Sat. 8am - 4pm NEW SERVICES: Heavy Duty Mechanical & Inspections Available www.quesnelskyfest.ca
Arrester Team
I
t’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. This is never truer than when the CF18 Demonstration Team comes to town. In anticipation of Skyfest, Quesnel International Air Show, the Canadian Military must deploy a Barrier Arresting System just in case the CF-18 requires assistance during take off or landing. Sergeant Stephen Best and Sergeant Aaron Segall arrived in Quesnel May 10 to ensure our airport was suitable for installing the arresting equipment. “This is a very nice airport,” Segall said. “It’s all going to work very well.” Canada’s CF-18 is the only Canadian aircraft with a tail hook. The primary use for such portable systems is on battle-damaged runways and in extreme northern ice conditions. It takes an eight-person team several days to install the rotary friction brakes (fully secured in the ground), cable system (a 1 1/4-inch steel cable stretched across the runway at a height of two inches) and have the system fully certified. The CF-18 Demo team will participate in 19 Canadian air shows, however arrester teams need only be deployed to those shows where the runway isn’t long enough for full safety stops. Quesnel’s airport at 5,000 feet is 2,500 feet short thus requiring the mobile arresting system. The arresting system can stop the CF-18 in about 900 feet. Although the CF-18 is Canada’s only tail hook equipped aircraft, Canadian airports are required, as part of its NATO commitment, to supply the arresting system to all tail-hook NATO aircraft. This has created experienced military teams capable of installing and operating this very important safety equipment. During their time in Quesnel the arrester installation team will remain on hand should the BAS be required. In the event of a fire or other mishap with the CF-18, all those on hand know their responsibilities. As Quesnel’s fire chief, Sylvian Gauthier who, during his military career was a member of an arrester team, will be assigning 5 – 6 local volunteer firefighters to the two-day event with very specific responsibilities. And he knows exactly where the line is drawn between military and civilian firefighters. “Our guys will be putting out any fire. It’s the military firefighters’ responsibility to handle the personel in the aircraft.” This also applies to the Snowbird team. “I’ll be chatting with the arrester installation team prior to the air show ensuring everyone knows their role.”
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Rex Pemberton
Y
ou can’t separate Melissa and Rex Pemberton as airshow performers, at least not when they’re performing together – he in his amazing wingsuit and she in her Edge 540 aircraft. Rex, who has a stunning career in the mountain climbing world, the motivational speaker world and several other successes, also has a rather unusual air show performance. What began in the 1940s as a somewhat unsuccessful attempt at increasing horizontal movement, these early wingsuits were not very reliable. Between 1930 and 1961, 72 of the 75 original birdmen died testing their wingsuits. With increased instruction and safety features, performers such as Rex Pemberton now incorporate wingsuits in their show. Outfitted with his wingsuit, Rex leaps from a plane and races toward earth, trailing orange smoke from canisters strapped to his ankles while Melissa, one of the world’s best aerobatics pilots, paints a white smoky corkscrew around her husband. This unique combination of a skydiving and aerobatic performance is a one-of-a-kind high-energy formation display, sure to thrill and astound those viewing from the ground.
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April Zalesky
T
he allure of aviation is what brings the crowds to air shows every year, but the true show in an airshow is the fire. Pyrotechnics or the art of the beautiful blast belongs to the special effects experts at AV8FX led by air show pyrotechnics coordinator April Zalesky who brings her pyrotechnic show to Skyfest. A native of Vancouver, B.C., Zalesky was born into a flying family and is a licensed pilot herself. She’s been involved in the air show business from a very early age and was drawn into the excitement of air show pyro and fireworks more than 20 years ago. According to Zalesky flying and pyrotechnics are her two passions so when she can combine the two that’s the best in her world. Long before the crowds gather, Zalesky and her crew of experts begin to lay the groundwork for the pyro show, unspooling hundreds of feet of detonation cord. “It’s known as dynamite in a rope,” she said. “But actually it’s nitroglycerin in powder form.” For a large show it takes about a day to set up for various pyro effects including simulating aerial gunfire strafing, bombs exploding and the most spectacular of all, the wall of fire. Measuring 500 feet long, 300 feet high and 100 feet wide, the wall of fire uses about 1,300 litres of unleaded gas along a plastic pipeline which is lined with detonation cord. Once ignited (det cord explodes at 10,000 feet per second), the pipeline blows apart throwing the gas into the air which then releases the gas vapour, the most deadly part of the explosion. “Vapour is the secret to great balls of fire,” Zalesky said. Why does she do it? “It’s an adrenaline rush,” she admitted. “I like to blow things up.” AV8FX technicians are fully licenced and experienced in all aspects of air show pyrotechnics and work closely with air show performers, air show bosses and other members of the air show team.
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T
Donna Flynn - Air boss
he air boss has the primary responsibility for air show operations on the active taxiways, runways and the surrounding air show demonstration area. The air boss controls the event environment including air space and other aviation activities. Spectators may not ever see this diminutive dynamo but know that for the past 13 years, Donna Flynn has been bossing at air shows and for the second year in a row will be the air boss for Skyfest. However, her interest in aviation started much earlier. It was the winter of 1987 when Flynn obtained her private license and in 1989 earned her commercial license. During this time she caught the air show bug while volunteering at the Vanderhoof International Airshow. But not as a pilot. Flynn worked on the flight operations side of the show. After spending six years running a float-based business in Fort St. James, in 1998, she swung into an airshowbased business which she moved to Vancouver in 2000. Eventually she established Showline Airshow Services Ltd. which specializes in the Air Bossing and Flight Operations of an air event. During a typical show season, Flynn works anywhere from eight to 10 air shows events. She has completed more than 250 show and media days at more than 27 sites in Canada and the United States. She has worked with all the North American jet and skydiving teams. Quesnel welcomes Donna Flynn to its premier aviation event.
Ric Peterson - Announcer
T
he voice of any airshow needs to be knowledgeable, authoritative and at times, humorous. Ric Peterson has spent the past 20 years becoming the best airshow announcer he can be. Coupled with his experience as a broadcaster and race car announcer, Peterson’s vast experience and passion have created a seasoned microphone veteran with a flair for aviation. Quesnel Skyfest is lucky to have such a quality announcer at this year’s Skyfest - Quesnel’s International Airshow. He’s announced all over the world and has the memories to prove it. “I have had the unforgettable opportunity to hold the control stick of an Avro Arrow at the National Aviation Museum in Ottawa, touched the fabric of the Wright Flyer in Silver Hill, Maryland, toured Orville and Wilbur’s bicycle shop in Dayton, Ohio and stood on the banks of Bras d’Or Lake near Baddeck, Nova Scotia,” he said. “I have been around airplanes since I was knee high to a tail wheel and was barely a year old when my father set me on the spinner of the Piper Cub he loved,” Peterson said. “The memory of his passion for flight is with me at the airports and museums I visit and I like nothing better than to spark in someone else the same passion my father bestowed to me.” Be sure to take note of Peterson’s passion as you follow his vocal directions during Skyfest this year. • Grains & Whole Foods • Sports Nutrition • Vitamins & Suppliments
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PAGE 25
Than k
u o y k
n a Th
PRODUCTION TEAM:
Donna Flynn – Air Boss Ric Peterson – Announcer Mach 1 Productions – Dan McLaren Snowbirds & CF18 Safety Officer – Michel “Spike” Tremblay Darryl Moulder – Airshow Safety Officer AV8FX – April Zalesky Ross Mictchell Photographic Laurie Rathier – National Anthems
you
SERVICE ON SITE:
Quesnel Emergency Services Quesnel Portable Toilets Guardian Aerospace
SPECIAL THANKS TO:
City of Quesnel Quesnel Regional Airport Transport Canada HMC Services Inc. Councillor Scott Elliott Quesnel Tourist Centre Quesnel Emergency Services Quesnel RCMP Royal Canadian Air Cadets – Jet Ranger Squadron Color Guard Laurie Rathier Paul Zeegers Ministry of Highways Quesnel Pipes and Drums Skip Stewart Michel “Spike” Tremblay Super Dave Especially all of our dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers. PAGE 26 | SKYFEST 2013
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