Air Show Ottawa

President’s Message

It is with great regret that I announce the cessation of activities and future events for Air Show Ottawa Inc. The weather debacle back in 2008 was an event we have been unable to overcome and though we have tried to re-organize with various sponsorship efforts and new ideas, funding procurement has remained a concern. We started back in late 2004 with a dream to bring the nation’s capital back in to the air show industry on a consistent (and successful) basis and we were regrettably not able to do that. An air show is very much a weather-dependent event and unfortunately over the years, we did not have much cooperation from Mother Nature. However, weather impacts aside, I am extremely proud of the efforts made by our organizers to ensure our three past events were memorable experiences for those that attended.

I would like to sincerely thank all performers and participants in making Air Show Ottawa the talk of the town for the three events held at Carp. Your professionalism, advice, help and showmanship were truly inspirational to spectators and organizers, and for that, the Air Show Ottawa team is eternally grateful. To our sponsors, vendors, suppliers, Carp Airport and the City of Ottawa (Police, Fire, EMS, By-law services and OC Transpo), a huge thanks for their support, assistance and cooperation over the years. Without them, it would have been impossible to proceed with any of our events. I would also like to thank the thousands of spectators that attended our events over the years. It was your patronage, input and comments that kept us going despite the setbacks we seemed to encounter. Finally, I’d like to thank the hundreds of volunteers that have helped us out over the years, either in the planning, set-up or take- down, or event days. Conditions were not the best at times, some of the tasks menial, unappealing or even thankless, but your efforts and help were extremely appreciated and the events could not have been carried out as well as they were, without your assistance.

Though Air Show Ottawa won’t be part of it, the realization of a successful Air Show in the national capital region, comparable to the best in the country, isn’t that far away. Vintage Wings of Canada (VWOC), situated in Gatineau, just across the Ottawa River is on the fast track to becoming that event, with a number of successful shows under its belt. They have a great venue, partnerships with other museums and other aviation related organizations, so if you have the opportunity to attend events there in the future, I highly encourage you to do so. Please see http://www.vintagewings.ca for further information.

Again, and on behalf of the Air Show Ottawa team, my appreciation and thanks to all in making Air Show Ottawa the spectator success it was. I wish you all the best in 2012 and subsequent years.

Sincerely,

Barry Camm
President, Air Show Ottawa Inc.