Canadian Aviation Expo 2006

23-25 June 2006

This annual air show, held at Oshawa Municipal Airport in Oshawa, Ontario, features a cross-section of aviation with a particularly large selection of general aviation aircraft on display in the air and on the ground.

   Three McDonnell Douglas CF-18A Hornets from the Canadian Forces' 416 Tactical Fighter Squadron at CFB Cold Lake, Alberta provided some flypasts for the Friday air show.  The squadron's connection with Oshawa began during the Second World War when the RCAF's overseas-based No. 416 (Fighter) Squadron, flying Supermarine Spitfires, was 'adopted' by the City of Oshawa.  The CF-18s appeared at the Canadian Aviation Expo before the squadron's disbandment in early July as part of a major reorganization of CF Air Command assets.

   Gene Soucy, well known on the air show circuit for over 30 years, pulls up to the vertical in his Showcat, NX7699,  during an impressive demonstration of aerobatics.  The unique Showcat is a modified Grumman Agcat, a type originally designed in the for use in agricultural spraying, or 'crop dusting'.

   One of several general aviation types present, Seawind 300C amphibian N46SW shows its rather clean, though unusual lines, on takeoff.

   Demonstrating a lively climb, the pleasing design of the Moraine-Saulnier MS760 Paris is evident here.  Originally used primarily by several air arms for high speed liaison and communications purposes from the 1960s through the 1990s, the Paris was also built, though in less numbers, for civil use.  N370AS is an updated and nicely appointed MS760X that doesn't look out of place in today's light jet market.

   In addition to the Friday flying activities at the Canadian Aviation Expo, an early evening performance by the CF Snowbirds was offered at the Lake Ontario waterfront in Oshawa.  The team's Canadair CT-114 Tutors are seen here at the top of a maneuver in the nine-plane 'Big Diamond' formation.

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