Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Serving Midwest Aviation Since 1960
Annual Canby Airport Event Features Aerial Acrobats
Canby Airport Manager Matt Wagner and airshow performer Galen Killam check out Matt Quy's Boeing-Stearman Model E75 trainer biplane.
Galen Killam has been flying for over 30 years in over 25 different airplanes. He flies a Van's RV-8 known as "Hammerhead" and was one of this year's Canby Father's Day Airshow performers.
The Vanguard Squadron flies a dazzling formation aerobatic airshow powered by ethanol. The Vanguard Squadron has been ethanol-powered since the team began flying together in 1993.
Bob Freeman started flying in 1972 and has been flying aerobatics since 1981. He is pictured landing June 19 after encountering heavy crosswinds en route to the Canby Father's Day Airshow.
Spectators were able to get up close and cellphone camera distance personal with performers' aircraft prior to the start of the Canby Father's Day Airshow
Canby Municipal Airport - Myers Field hosts a free regional airshow each Father's Day weekend. The entertainment ranges from off-the-wall aerobatics to high performance aircraft racing and trick shows from a core group of aviators.
Airport Manager Matt Wagner reported a great Sunday show despite extremely difficult weather conditions that provided an all-around planning challenge.
Free Man Airshows' Bob Freeman offered this summary on his Facebook page: "Made it to Canby with a 60-knot crosswind en route. But we're here and ready for the Father's Day show. Hot (100°F) and windy but the show will go on!"
The day before the Canby Show, Freeman was at the Grand Forks Air Force Base waiting to perform. He never made it into the air. It wasn't the heat but the high wind that put a damper on the air show to the north. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and other performers had to cancel their performances on Saturday due to flight safety after winds hit 47 miles per hour. "Today was a frustrating day," Freeman posted on his Facebook page. "Nobody flew including the [U.S. Air Force] Thunderbirds. Visibility dropped to less than 2 miles due to flying dust."
Performers the Vanguard Squadron, Matt Quy, Galen Killam, and Craig Gifford also participated in the Canby Father's Day Airshow, which is free to the public. Wagner estimated event attendance around 700 people, many of whom stayed in the shade of a hangar enjoying listening to a band that was added this year. The pancake and waffle breakfast sponsored by the Canby High School Aviation Class and the burger feed sponsored by St. Peter's Catholic Church fed approximately 500 attendees.
In 2005, airport officials completed a renovation project expanding the runway from 60 feet by 2,500 feet to 75 feet by 4,400 feet. This project took many years to complete and Canby now has an up to date, modern airport. Along with the new runway, a new arrival/departure building was constructed with new ramp areas.
A 100LL fueling station sits beside the arrival/departure building parking lot and has been upgraded to offer jet fuel and a credit card payment system. In addition, there's a 12-stall hanger available for rent, flight instruction, and aircraft rentals.
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