Abbotsford International Airshow - Performers

Performers

Bob Singleton has held the microphone at the Abbotsford International Airshow for 41 of its 48 years. Initially, he was assistant to Abbotsford's first announcer, Toby Trowbridge. He became Abbotsford's primary announcer in 1977.

Roy Hafeli provides the other familiar voice of the airshow. Roy began announcing at Abbotsford in 1999, and is a recipient of the North West Council of Air Shows 2005 Showmanship award and the 2006 Eric Beard Memorial Spirit of Flight award. Roy also announces at many other airshows throughout Canada as well as at other special events.

Ken Hildebrandt is the newest voice at Abbotsford. He began announcing in 2007 under the guidance of Bob and Roy. Having attended every Abbotsford show since 1979, he noticed that while he was certainly enthralled by the many amazing flying machines that screamed over his head each summer, he became particularly interested in the people who announced the action over the loud speakers. Thus began a thirty-year interest in airshow announcing.

2011 Flying Display The following performers are confirmed:

  • Canadian Forces Snowbirds
  • CF-18 Hornet TAC Demo
  • A-10 Thunderbolt II (West)
  • CF Skyhawks (USAF C-17 Globemaster will act as the Jump platform)
  • USAF Heritage Flight (A-10/A-1 Skyraider)
  • HH-65 Dolphin SAR Demo
  • CF Assault Demo (CF-18 + CH-146 Griffon)
  • CAF Heritage Flight (CF-18 + Hawk One F-86 Sabre)
  • CH-149 Cormorant
  • CH-124 Sea King
  • T-6 Texan
  • Discovery Air Hawk One (F-86 Sabre)
  • P-51 Mustang
  • B-25 Mitchell
  • Supermarine Spitfire
  • Hawker Sea Fury
  • Canadian Museum of Flight
  • A-1 Skyraider
  • Harvard MkIV x2
  • T-28 Trojan
  • Fouga Magister
  • Rob Holland - MX2 (aircraft)
  • Granley Family Airshows
  • Julie Clark - T-34 Mentor
  • Kent Pietsch
  • Indy Boys - Jet-Powered School Bus
  • AV8FX - Pyrotechnics
  • Dave Mathieson - Pitts Special
  • Please do note that the F-22 Raptor was confirmed originally to participate at Abbotsford for the first time. However, due to an issue with the F-22, the entire fleet has been grounded and the chances of the F-22 being ungrounded in time for the show is slim, as such, the A-10 Thunderbolt II has replaced the F-22. 2011 will mark the return of the A-10 TAC Demonstration after a 6 year absence as the last A-10 TAC demo in Abbotsford was in 2005.

Demonstration teams

  • Snowbirds, Canada (annually)
  • SkyHawks, Canada (parachute team)
  • Thunderbirds, USAF
  • Blue Angels, US Navy
  • Smoke Squadron (Esquadrilha da Fumaca), Brazil 1985,1986,1987,1995
  • Patrouille de France, 1986
  • Frecce Tricolori, Italy 1986
  • Escuadrilla de Alta Acrobacia Halcones, Chile 1995
  • The Russian Knights, Russia, 1993
  • Golden Centennaires, Canada, 1967

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Famous quotes containing the word performers:

    “... we performers are monsters. We are a totally different, far-out race of people. I totally and completely admit, with no qualms at all, my egomania, my selfishness, coupled with a really magnificent voice.”
    —Leontyne Price (b. 1927)

    “The reason I’m in this business, I assume all performers are—it’s “Look at me, Ma!” It’s acceptance, you know—”Look at me, Ma, look at me, Ma, look at me, Ma.” And if your mother watches, you’ll show off till you’re exhausted; but if your mother goes, Ptshew!”
    —Lenny Bruce (1925–1966)