Plunging at speeds of over 64 km/h, only metres from the ground, the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, the SkyHawks, opened up the Ecole Nationals d’Aerotechnique’s (ENA) air show with jaw-dropping aerial stunts.
The event, put on by the aeronautic school in partnership with the City of Longueuil and aerospace giant Pratt & Whitney, made its return to the Saint Hubert Airport after 25 years.
Some 68 planes lined the runway and filled the skies, with aerial demonstrations from Spitfires, MiG-17’s and the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds.
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“We want to put the industry forward,” ENA director Pascal Désilets said, saying the showcase is promoting the aerospace industry.
Désilets said the school is one of the best in the world when it comes to aerospace and “people don’t know that is right in their back yard.”
Organizers hope to spread the love of flying by showing off awesome stunts.
“We are trying to put passion back in the heads of the young,” Désilets said.
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On full display at the air show was one of its most popular attractions, the Bombardier CSeries CS-100.
It is one of eight in the world and was donated to the school by Bombardier, intended to be used as a real-world classroom for students.
Another crowd favourite were the SkyHawks.
Parachuting in close proximity, the SkyHawks performed stellar parachute formations while gliding through the air at high velocity.
Capt. Frederick Morin has over 240 jumps with the Canadian Forces team.
The Chambly native wanted to shine for this particular descent, he said, as he was performing for a hometown crowd.
“I got lots of friends and family coming to the show and I cant wait to put on a show for them,” Morin said.
The event runs all weekend, from June 1 to the 2 at the Saint-Hubert airport with another air show scheduled if weather permits Sunday afternoon.
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