Mishall RehmanThe Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) will mark its centenary this Canada Day, with the largest flypast conducted in 20 years over the National Capital Region.
The flypast, being called a “parade in the sky,” will take place on Canada Day at 1 p.m. and will include a variety of RCAF aircraft.
“It will involve aircraft representing current RCAF fleets and capabilities as well as historic and future RCAF fleets. Aircraft will range in size from small training aircraft like the CT-156 Harvard II, to large transport aircraft like the CC-177 Globemaster and CC-330 Husky. Smaller jet aircraft like the CT-114Tutor that is flown by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, as well as CF-18s,” stated a Department of National Defence Public Service Announcement.
The flypast should take around twenty minutes.
Related Practice
To prepare for the upcoming spectacle, the RCAF held a practice on June 26 in the capital. People living in Ottawa and Gatineau could see and hear various planes and helicopters practice their upcoming parade in the skies.
The route took place along the Ottawa River, south of the Canadian Air and Space Museum, over Parliament Hill and concluded at LeBreton flats.
“All RCAF aircraft flying operations are carefully planned and closely controlled for public safety and are dependant on appropriate weather and flying conditions,” added the PSA.
100 years of the RCAF
The RCAF marked its centennial on April 1, 2024.
Although Canada’s contributions to the Air Force trace back to the 1900s, the Royal Canadian Air Force was not officially formed until 1924. It became more robust during the Second World War, launching into a position of the fourth largest air force in the world. Since then, the RCAF has been at the forefront of all conflicts and missions Canada has taken part in, both abroad and at home.
Events have been planned throughout the year to celebrate this historic milestone. These include not only the flypast on Canada Day but also the RCAF Run, RCAF Gala, Legends of the Sky, allied air demonstration team participation in Air Shows across Canada, and much more.
