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arts & culture
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THESky’s THE LIMIT By Mariah Hess
PHOTOS: RICHARD SKERMER
MORE THAN AN AIRSHOW
Have you ever thought about how many people it takes to get a plane off the ground? Behind every pilot, countless people continue to make aviation a remarkable mode of transportation, from engineers, mechanics, and technicians to flight attendants and planners. The Alberta International Airshow wants to celebrate the aerospace industry by opening doors of opportunity and recognizing Edmonton’s history and position as a global aerial centre. Edmonton aviation history traces back to Blatchford Field, more commonly known as the Edmonton City Centre Airport. Not only was the airport considered Canada’s Gateway to the North, it was also one of the busiest during World War II due to its strategic location for allied troops en route to Europe. While this airport was closed in 2013, its historic doubledouble hangar (the last remaining of its kind in the world) now houses the Alberta Aviation Museum, and Edmonton itself continues to be a world centre for aerial traffic. Richard Skermer, President and CEO of the Alberta International Airshow, long recognized
this city’s history and global potential—which is why, in 2010, he proposed the Airshow to celebrate the industry and attract more investment and opportunity to Edmonton. The first Airshow in 2015 at the Villeneuve Airport drew a crowd of over 24,000 people, and those numbers have only increased over the years. It is part of a larger picture: to attract investment, open doors of opportunity, make the industry accessible, and promote new talent. “It was never just an airshow,” explains Skermer. This big-picture thinking is further brought to life through the career expo, which returns this year featuring major manufacturers like Bombardier, aviation schools, and various Alberta Innovates companies. The expo creates chances to build connections and learn about different jobs in the industry. “We’ll make sure the door stays open for you no matter who you are,” says Skermer. “We want to remove barriers—because they shouldn’t exist in the first place.” Promoting new talent is also crucial for Skermer. Various event roles, like air traffic
INFO EDMONTON MAGAZINE
JULY/AUGUST 2022
17
