WATCH: Snowbirds set for Kelowna shows

• Shows planned for Saturday and Sunday
• Aerobatics team excited to be part of YLW celebration

Practice has been taking place for the big aerial event this weekend.

The Canadian Force Snowbirds are in our skies to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Kelowna International Airport.

Seven CT-114 Tutors will be flying for 45 minutes Saturday and Sunday over Okanagan Lake.

“It’s incredible. We haven’t been to the region for almost a decade, but we’re excited to be back, especially to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the airport. It’s a special occasion,” said Captain Dominic Appolloni. He will be flying the outer left wing during the performances.

“We normally don’t get to hit a special landmark for every airport… and we’re excited to share that with the city.”

He said there was lots of work to be done to make this happen.

“Coming to Kelowna is a huge undertaking. There’s a lot of behind the scenes work that the city of Kelowna does to host us which we appreciate greatly,” Appolloni said. “We just get to parachute in and put on a display after all the hard work.”

The pilots have a wealth of aviation experience, some of them having logged 15 to 20 years in the sky. The intricate manoeuvres for the aerobatics display, which sees the aircraft as close as four to six feet apart, are coordinated through the Snowbird’s own communications. The lead plane, or “Boss” is known as Snowbird 1 and they effectively direct everything that’s done in the air.

Appolloni said it’s all about working as one unit.

“It’s nothing but teamwork with the snowbirds. From the technicians on the ground, to the briefings, and flying airborne. It’s teamwork to the core,” he said.

Geoff Ritchie, Senior Manager of Airport Development, told Kelowna10 celebrating 75 years is a huge milestone for aviation in the valley, and to bring The Snowbirds to the city is special.

“This is a signature piece. People love to see the Snowbirds, it’s hard to get them here, it was a long process to make sure everybody was here,” he said. “To do two displays over the lake is fantastic not just for Kelowna and the citizens, but everybody in the region and the tourists as well.”

The airshow is set for Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m. Among the best places to view the spectacle is along the downtown waterfront.

104.7 The Lizard will be broadcasting live audio from the cockpit on the airwaves during the shows, so keep a radio handy or listen online or from your parked vehicle while enjoying the entertainment.