Thousands of aviation fans.

Dozens of aircraft in the sky and on the ground. Plenty of smiles. A fine day out at Boundary Bay Airport – free.

That, in short, is what June 20 will be for legions of aircraft buffs as they make their way to South Delta and take in a show which, for now, will cost them nothing, courtesy of Alpha Aviation, the airport’s lease holder.

“I don’t know for how much longer we can keep holding this show for free, but it’s a great event that draws a lot of people to our airport for a few hours of flying displays,” said Linda Freer, Alpha Aviation’s manager of marketing and business development.

This is the fifth- annual air show Alpha Aviation has not only hosted but footed the bill for the fuel burned by aircraft taking to the skies to entertain the crowds.

Freer could not say exactly how much that costs the company, but added the event is staged to provide a spectacle the whole community can enjoy, plus provide exposure for the airport which is in the midst of a substantial upgrade with the construction of a new terminal building.

“We’re like the little airport that could,” Freer said, referring to the facility tucked away in South Delta that happens to be one of the busiest in the country—based on aircraft movements – thanks mostly to the large number of flight schools located there.

Among the things to see at show apart from the aerial displays will be a demonstration by Canadian Border Services personnel who will have K-9 members and their handlers practice contraband detection.

“Our new terminal will have a large area dedicated to Canada Customs, so we wanted them to have a presence here at the show,” Freer said, adding the terminal’s construction is on schedule and is expected to be ready for occupancy in December and open well in time to welcome air traffic for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.

The air show is also an opportunity for the local air cadets – 828 Hurricane Squadron – to recruit new members.

“They (cadets) are the backbone of our volunteers who help set and tear down the event,” Freer said.

Gates for the air show open at noon. Air displays start at 2 p.m. and run until 4:45 p.m.

Pets are not allowed on the site and it is advised that spectators bring along a lawn chair and sun screen.

- by Philip Raphael

editor@southdeltaleader.com