On the second weekend of August, which has traditionally been the time of year when the Abbotsford International Airshow (AIA) is held, another show took its place – a virtual one. In this year of the COVID-19 pandemic and faced with the cancellation of the live show, the airshow organizers nevertheless decided that the show must go on, albeit virtually.

Using archival footage and professional editing, the show is hosted onscreen by veteran airshow announcer Roy Hafeli, whose voice will be recognized by anyone who has attended the airshow in past years.

Some of the footage has never been seen by the public before.

The video will surely entertain most aviation aficionados for all of its 1-hour and 48-minute length but, for those with less time available, the AIA’s YouTube channel displays a timeline noting when the various performers appear, allowing one to jump ahead to favourite acts including the Breitling Jet Team, the RCAF CC-150 Polaris, Snowbirds and CF-18 Hornet, the Skyhawks, the US Air Force F-22 Raptor and Heritage Flight, and many more.

Find a comfortable place to sit, switch on the big screen and crank up the volume for the best airshow experience in 2020.