Abbotsford
International Airshow
1989

August 11-13

1989 marked the premier of Airshow Canada, the aerospace tradeshow that runs in conjunction with the Abbotsford Airshow.

Thanks to Airshow Canada, the highlight of the airshow was the return of Russian aircraft. Two MiG-29 Fulcrums, an An-225 Mriya, a Ka-32 Helix, and an Su-26M all made their North American debuts at Abbotsford. The Mig-29s were escorted through U.S. airspace by Alaskan F-15s and to Abbotsford by Canadian CF-18s.

MiG-29 escorted by CF-18 MiG-29s entering Canadian airspace

On Sunday, August 13, a western pilot flew a Mig-29 for the first time. Canadian Armed Forces pilot Bob Wade flew in the two-seat MiG-29UB and was given controls (and even performed a tailslide). One of the Mig-29 pilots was Anatoly Kvotchur who ejected out of a Mig-29 at Le Bourget, France just months earlier.

The Thunderbirds returned to Abbotsford for the first time since 1981. This was their first time in Abbotsford in the F-16.

New attendance records were set in 1989. 321,000 people attended the airshow over the three days. It was "sold out" again, and an estimated 60,000 people were turned away on Saturday alone.

Here are a few of my uncle's pictures. Click on thumbnails for a larger picture.

An-225 about to land in Canada for the first time An-225 taxis back after landing Monday, August 7 Ka-32 Helix on static display
MiG-29 Fulcrum on static display MiG-29 demonstrates its short take off capability Thunderbirds diamond formation

Military Demonstrations

Snowbirds (CAF) Thunderbirds (USAF)
MiG-29 Fulcrum (USSR) AV-8B Harrier (USMC)
F-4 Phantoms x 3 (ANG) CF-18 Hornet (CAF)
An-225 Mriya (USSR) CF-18 x3 / CF-5 (Fri.) (CAF)
Ka-32 Helix (USSR) Pilatus PC-9

Civilian Demonstrations

Ray Ban Golds (S-2 Pitts x 4) T-33 Red Knight
Firecat (Conair Firefighting Demo) Waco Bi-plane (Jim Franklin)
Wingwalking (J. Franklin/J. Kazian) Super Chipmunk (Frank Ryder)
H-101 Salto (Manfred Radius) Royal Albanians (S-2 Pitts x 2)
Shockwave Jet Truck Su-26M
Goodyear Blimp Rappattack Forestry Demo (Frontier Heli)
World War Two (Lancaster, Sea Fury, Spitfire) World War One Flyby
Skydiving Experimental Aircraft Association
Here are a few of my uncle's pictures. Click on thumbnails for a larger picture.

Tristar from the RAF arrives at Abbotsford for the first time (August 10) Special paint scheme for a Tutor from the Central Flying School Holloman AFB T-38 Talon
SAR Tech throws a dummy (to be rescued) out of the CH-113 Labrador Avro Lancaster taxis to parking (this is the only flyable Lancaster in North America) T-28 Trojan in Canadian Navy markings takes off

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