The last four days have seen lots of aerial activity over our new house very near the Brantford airport (CYFD).

The reason? The Brant United Way Airshow was opening, performing, and closing. It was a lovely experience overall.

Monday and Tuesday, the demonstration aircraft were arriving and praciticing. The town got an earful of jet noise, and it responded. During the arrival/setup days, dozens of cars and people lined up on the rural roads adjacent to the runways.

The logistical setup at the airport was consistent with the small town: personal, volunteer labour-intensive, and effective. There was a fence erected along the width of the apron, separating the crowd from the military jets. The fence was informally patrolled by (volunteer?) security folks – not the kind you find bouncing in a dance club, but the middle-aged kind with a camera around his neck. The fence line ended on both sides with mere ribbons, and farther out, not even that. The crowd behaved with good civility anyway, and did not cross even the imaginary lines. Plus, locally based aircraft like GXRP were located in hangars on the crowd side of the airport, with the doors wide open. Despite the temptation, people did not wonder over for a good fondle, that is, until the end when I invited some Air Cadet kids over for a look.

It got better, After each pilot performed, they came over to mingle with the crowd. The driver of the awesome A-10 demo flight, one Capt. Jeff Yost, just casually strolled across to where I was sitting. He was gently mobbed by a few dozen kids, and one star-struck pilot (me) who just wanted to shake his hand and thank him for coming. The dudes flying the Hamilton warplane museum’s awesome big birds were also on hand. Not just that – while not flying, these amazing old airplanes were parked amongst the crowd. Eric touched the giant wheels and propellers of the B-25 and the Lancaster, and uttered “big!” more than once. And the sound of all those engines running … sweet!

Can you imagine the security that is against miscreant elements of the big-city-phenemenon Toronto crowds? During the annual CNE airshow (coming up this weekend, with some of the same performers), steely-gazed security chicks frown on even local pilots snapping pictures – and that’s during the days before the show, while the island airport is otherwise open!

As I write this entry, the visiting jets are leaving. There is a small amount of litter and the fencing has yet to come down. The good reviews , lots more pictures, and memories are here to stay.