All eyes to the sky as aircraft fly in for Quinte International Air Show weekend

Aircraft participating in the Quinte International Air Show (QIAS) 2016 will be flying in to 8 Wing/Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Trenton all day Wednesday, June 22.

More than 70 aircraft, including the Avro Lancaster, the Snowbirds and the B-25 Mitchell Bomber, are expected to arrive in the area between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. in anticipation of this weekend’s show.

This year’s show marks the first international air show in 13 years. At the forefront of this year’s airshow acts will be the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds, the CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Team, the Sky Hawks parachute team, numerous aircraft from the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, the Canadian Warplane Heritage Museum, The Tiger Boys and a B-52 Bomber from the United States Air Force.

Up to 60,000 spectators are expected to be on site. The family-oriented event will also have a children’s play area hosted by the Trenton Military Family Resource Centre.

QIAS 2016 will commemorate the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) and the formation of the 400 series squadrons.

The No 31 Bombing and Gunnery School at Picton (later known as Prince Edward Heights) was opened in April 1941 and was disbanded in Nov. 1944 when it became No. 5 Reserve Equipment Maintenance Unit.

The No. 6 Bombing and Gunnery School at Mountain View was opened in June 1941 as one of 11 schools that opened across Canada. Aircraft used included the Avro Anson, Fairey Battle, Westland Lysander, Bristol Bolingbroke and Northrop Nomad. In September, 1945, the station was designated RCAF Station Mountain View. Today the airfield is maintained by 8 Wing CFB Trenton through its Aerospace and Telecommunications Engineering Support Squadron. In September, 2000, 8 Wing opened the Canadian Parachute Centre’s (now the Canadian Army Advanced Warefare Centre) drop zone at Mountain View. Both facilities are also used by the Central Region Gliding School for the Royal Canadan Air Cadets glider training.

Parking available at 8 Wing and overflow lots will be available in downtown Trenton and at Loyalist College with shuttle buses bringing visitors straight to the entrance.  Remember to bring ear plugs or hearing protection, a hat, sunscreen, water, snacks, blanket or folding chairs.

Not allowed are coolers greater than 15L, pets (except service animals); weapons, laser pointers, alcohol, glass bottles, bicycles, roller blades, skates or boards. For full lists and information,  visit the website at www.QIAS2016.ca