Hard hit by the pandemic, the field of aviation is slowly raising its head. A sign that the future is promising, Mirabel airport is hosting Volaria this weekend, the first aerial festival in more than 25 years that promises to amaze.
Posted at 9:45 a.m.
Air festival regulars will no doubt be surprised to know that the highlight of the event will take place on Saturday evening, as we will witness a high-flying spectacle that combines fireworks, pyrotechnic effects, music and video projections. “The veteran Mamfred Radius, who is almost 80 years old, installs pyrotechnic elements at the end of the wings of his glider”, explains Maude Paquet, general manager of Volaria.
“For his part, Nathan Hammond, aka Ghost Writer, projects pyrotechnics from his plane, which is illuminated using light-emitting diodes. We’re going to enhance that on the ground with other pyrotechnic elements near a 300-foot stage where three giant screens are installed, all accompanied by the music of DJ Kleancut. It is a finely planned choreography that is adapted for each of the performance sites. »
PHOTO JENNI ALDERMAN, PROVIDED BY VOLARIA
Nathan Hammond, aboard his device equipped with light-emitting diodes, will present a colorful nocturnal spectacle.
Unfortunately, we were also expecting the famous Snowbirds, but they are, since a forced landing that occurred at the beginning of August in British Columbia, grounded while they properly analyze the causes of the event. Never mind, there will be several high-flying Quebec pilots on site, including the Yak Attack duo made up of Daniel Fortin and Mario Hamel. “We will also be able to see Pete McLeod, Canadian champion of the Red Bull Air Races, at work, while the American armed forces will be represented by Amy Fiedler at the controls of her F16 Viper”, continues Mme Pack. “Connoisseurs will also be very happy to learn that they will be able to witness the flight of a Mustang P51, legend of the Second World War, whose sound is really impressive! »
PHOTO HÉLÈNE LAVIGNE, PROVIDED BY VOLARIA
Martin Hivon, one of Canada’s most recognized aerobatic pilots, will be there to turn heads.
In addition, the American squadron Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, made up of four planes dating from the 1930s, will perform for its only visit to Canada this year during a show at dusk on Saturday, as well as after- noon Sunday. Finally, visitors will be able to see the Canadian Armed Forces Skyhawks aerobatic parachute team, as well as Martin Hivon, the country’s most impressive aerobatic pilot. For those absent, the prowess of all these beautiful people can also be followed on television, the Volaria festival lending its name to a program broadcast on TVA Sports.
Focus on the future
“It’s for anyone interested in aviation, but we’ve also turned it into a family celebration,” says Paul Houde, spokesperson for the event and a great aviation enthusiast. before the Lord. “I do believe that the flight demonstrations will attract the children. When I was young, my grandmother lived two kilometers from runway 24 left of the Dorval airport and my reward was to go see the planes land at the end of the runway. They passed every two minutes on final approach, I saw them very closely. My pleasure was to recognize them; I sat down with a deck chair to see them pass and I even tried to recognize them by sound! »
PHOTO DAVID BOILY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Host Paul Houde, spokesperson for the event
In contact with planes like the huge Globemaster III, one of the largest aircraft in the world (it will be possible to visit it), Mr. Houde is convinced that some could discover a passion. Precisely, the main aeronautical schools and most employers in the industry will also be on site: “For young people looking for a course in studies, Quebec is the perfect place,” says the popular host. “Obviously, the pandemic will have raised questions, but we will have to meet the demand which will explode by the end of the decade, in particular because aviation will see its pre-pandemic fleet age. The demand for employment will be extremely strong, so young people will be able to find answers to their questions. »
All of this in an environment called to be transformed due to environmental challenges, an issue tackled head-on in the Quartier du futur Volaria, an area dedicated to the future of aviation where you can observe the electric seaplane eDravion from Québec Aéronature , a prototype electric air taxi, as well as a model of the Ecojet, Bombardier’s hybrid model. The Quebec company also contributed to making the festival entirely carbon neutral by purchasing carbon credits from the organization Carboneutre Québec. “40 years ago, the more smoke there was, the more spectacular it was,” says Paul Houde, laughing. But aviation will be forced to take note that the fight against climate change also goes through it. »