Here's how Canadian Forces prepare for Remembrance Day flyovers
One of the many traditions of Remembrance Day ceremonies held on Vancouver Island are the flyovers performed by the Canadian Armed Forces. From the ground, they may appear to be a simple task, but for the crews in the air, reaching the various ceremonies at pre-set times requires some precise coordination.
“It’s just knowing the position we need to be and what time and moving backward from there and depending on airspeed, we can do the math to hit the time on target,” says Capt. Joseph Jacques, who on Nov. 11 was an Aircraft Commander in one of two Cormorant helicopters being flown out of 19 Wing Comox.
The two aircraft from the base’s 442 Transport and Rescue Squadron over-flew ceremonies in Comox, Cumberland, Courtenay, Campbell River and Nanaimo.
“The flybys are a great military tradition and just the sound of the aircraft in that community, it’s usually not the happiest day, Nov. 11, so that brings joy I think in the whole event,” Jacques says.
But as much as the symbolism is appreciated on the ground, the tradition is also considered an honour by those working on the flights, according to First Officer Capt. Steve Davies.
“(It’s) definitely not just another day of flying, for us,” Davies says. “Fly-pasts aren’t something we do day-by-day, so it’s slightly different than the normal SAR training that we do.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The kids from 'Mrs. Doubtfire' are all SUPER grown up now, and we're not OK
The adorable trio of child actors from the 1993 classic comedy 'Mrs. Doubtfire,' which starred the late and great Robin Williams, are all grown up and looking back on their seminal time together.
Two killed after collision with truck on Hwy. 417 near Limoges, Ont.
Ontario Provincial Police say two people were killed after a car and a transport truck collided in the westbound lanes of Highway 417 near Limoges, Ont. on Tuesday afternoon.
Houston braces for flooding to worsen in wake of storms
High waters flooded neighborhoods around Houston on Saturday following heavy rains that have already resulted in crews rescuing hundreds of people from homes, rooftops and roads engulfed in murky water.
‘We made them safer and more fun’: Here’s what’s new about e-scooters
Electric scooters (e-scooters) have been gaining popularity in the capital and this season comes with some changes and updates.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Canadian Auger-Aliassime reaches first Masters final in Madrid with another walkover
Montreal's Felix Auger-Aliassime has advanced to his first ATP Masters final, and he hasn't had to play all that much tennis to do it.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.