Sometimes, no matter how well you prepare and plan, it all comes down to weather. That's how it was for the Waterloo Airshow 2012. Despite all the preparation and planning, Mother Nature wasn't overly kind for the airshow this year.

Dark, rainy and sometimes wet skies made for low crowd numbers both Saturday and Sunday but the airshow went on and the performers met the challenge despite, or maybe in spite of, the weather. Those that braved the ominous looking skies enjoyed a good airshow and all look forward to much better cooperation from the weather for the 2013 airshow.

Performers took to the sky and made the most of the opportunity to wow the crowds and wow they did! Those who attended certainly weren't disappointed with what they saw and, along with the flying show there was a wonderful static line, including food, clothing and other vendors. There was plenty to see and do, even when the rain put a damper on the flying.

The Royal Canadian Air Force CF-188 (CF-18) 2012 Demonstration Team Hornet, piloted by Capt. Patrick "Paco" Gobeil, flew a loud and fast demonstration that had everyone stopped in their tracks looking skyward. Putting the Hornet through its paces, "Paco" impressed the crowds with manoeuvres such as the high-alpha pass, the "dirty-roll" and the crowd favourite, the high-speed pass performed just below the speed of sound. This year's Demo Hornet wears the theme "True North, Strong and Free" with 13 individual snowflakes that represent each province and territory that make up Canada, with each snowflake having individual meaning (http://www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/cf18/page-eng.asp?id=1664).

A first at Waterloo Airshow was the addition of Canadian Red Bull Racer and aerobatic pilot, Pete McLeod. Flying his fabulous Red Bull Edge 540 with a top speed of over 400kmh and a roll rate of 395 degrees per second, McLeod impressed with his flying precision. His low-level aerobatics will take your breath away as you watch Pete and the 540 do things you'd think man and airplane should never do!

Flying in its first airshow of 2012 was the JAM (Jet Aircraft Museum), Hammond Aviation T-33 "Mako Shark" piloted by Paul Briggs and Ray Thwaites. The two pilots performed several passes showing off the gorgeous lines of the 1950's Canadair built T-bird. The museum hopes to have 6 of these gorgeous airplanes restored and flying in the coming years and, with your membership and donations, a team of dedicated volunteers works toward that goal almost every weekend.

The RCAF also provided a CC-130 Hercules taking the Canadian Forces Parachute Team, The Skyhawks, airborne so they could perform for the crowd. Several jumpers showed off their skills by performing spiral dives, spins and linking up in an assortment of formations. These dedicated military members, made up of Air Force, Army and Navy personnel, both men & women, devote many hours of training in order to bring the best they can offer to waiting crowds.

The Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association, a staple on the Canadian airshow circuit, provided four of their 70 year old Harvard aircraft for the airshow. Based in Tillsonburg, Ontario, CHAA's well maintained and loved Harvard aircraft, flown by dedicated and hard-working pilots (maintained by harder working crews), roar past the flightline, smoke on. Watching and listening to these fabulous old airplanes brings thoughts of the training days of World War II and the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan (BCATP) when the Harvard ruled the sky as one of the most common and versatile training aircraft of its time.

Other performers included Paul Kissmann in Vintage Wings of Canada's FG-1D Corsair, one of the most beautiful looking of the American designed warbirds, painted in memory of Royal Canadian Naval officer and pilot Robert Hampton Gray, VC, DSC (http://grayghosts.vintagewings.ca/?page_id=20). Also in the airshow were local pilot and builder of his F-1 Rocket, Wayne Hadath, "Otto the Helicopter," Canadian Forces CH-146 Griffon "Utility Transport Tactical Helicopter," and the Royal Canadian Air Cadets Bellanca Scout and Schweizer 2-33 glider.

Last but not least are the venerable and stunning Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds aerobatic display team. Flying 1950s designed and 1960s built Canadair Tutor single engine jet training aircraft, the Snowbirds are one of the most sought-after aerobatic display teams in the world. Their highly trained, dedicated RCAF pilots precision fly these 50+ year old airplanes with finesse and grace and they never fail to have heads turned skyward.

Though the Waterloo Airshow isn't the biggest airshow in Canada, it is certainly one of the friendliest and one of best places to watch an airshow. The organizers and volunteers dedicate hundreds of hours and many days of their time to bring you a great event and, with better weather for the June 2013 airshow, the performers and crowds will provide the proof!

For more information on the Waterloo Airshow: waterlooairshow.com

For more information on the CF-18 Demo Hornet: rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/cf18/index-eng.asp

For more information on the Jet Aircraft Museum: jetaircraftmuseum.ca

For more information on Hammond Aviation: hammondaviation.com

For more information on The Skyhawks: army.forces.gc.ca/land-terre/skyhawks/index-eng.asp

For more information on Pete McLeod: petemcleodracing.com

For more information on the CHAA: harvards.com

For more information on Vintage Wings of Canada: vintagewings.ca

For more information on the CH-146: rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/v2/equip/ch146/index-eng.asp

For more information on Otto the Helicopter: otto-airshow.com

For more information on The Snowbirds: snowbirds.dnd.ca

For more information on the Air Cadets: cadets.ca/air

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