History

In its current format, the Waterloo Air Show is entering its forth year, although aviation expos and flying displays have been held on and off at the Waterloo airport for decades. During the 90's and 2000's the airport played host to an almost-annual aviation day which gave the public rare access to airport property allowing them to explore displays, exhibits and parked aircraft, and discover military and civilian aviation up close.

In the meantime, two major annual air shows in southwest Ontario -- in London and Hamilton -- ceased operations, and in 2009, a group of interested volunteers was brought together to rekindle a show in southwest Ontario at the Waterloo airport.

The first Waterloo Aviation Expo and Air Show took place in August of 2009. It was relatively small, had almost no military participation with the exception of a Griffon Helicopter from 400 Squadron in Borden, Ontario and suffered from unseasonably bad weather. However, the interest continued to grow and in June of 2010 the second show was held. This show enjoyed an exponential increase in participation from the Canadian Forces highlighted by the 9-plane Snowbirds formation team, a great selection of civilian aviation acts, and welcomed the first participation in Waterloo from the U.S. Armed Forces in the form of a U.S. Navy jet which attended on static display for the weekend. Much improved weather delighted fans, performers and volunteers, and contributed significantly to an increase in attendance to 40,000.

For 2011, the Waterloo Air Show shortened its name, although the Aviation Expo remained an integral part of the event. The quality of the acts continued to grow with performances from all three of the Royal Canadian Force's demonstration teams: the Snowbirds, the Skyhawks Parachute Team and the CF-18 Hornet. The show also hosted its first U.S. Air Force Demo Team -- Viper East with its F16 from Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. And the ground displays continued to provide guests a rich look into flight -- past and present.

The Waterloo Air Show is primarily a volunteer-run organization, with one staff member. The show is honoured to have a large group of motivated people working together for the selfless betterment of the community.

We invite and welcome you to join us, as a guest at the show or a volunteer behind the scenes. Together we will join in celebrating the power, mystique and love of flight.

Until June, happy skies!