They might have to drop the “Nova Scotia” from the Nova Scotia International Air Show.
The air show is all set for Shearwater this year, but organizers are looking elsewhere for the 2011 show.
Tony Goode, chair of the NSIAS board, said ongoing construction projects at both Shearwater and Halifax Stanfield International Airport left the air show in a pickle.
The show was cancelled in 2007, bashed by a major storm in 2008, and last year it was held in Yarmouth.
“We’ve concluded that it would be better not to utilize the airport at this stage of the game. That’s not to say it wouldn’t be in consideration in the future,” he said.
The board is looking at a number of locations and Goode mentioned both New Brunswick and P.E.I. as options.
This year it’s returning home to Shearwater, but Goode said it’s a one-off thing.
“We’d be delighted to come back to Shearwater, but we don’t want to overstay our welcome,” Goode said.
Col. Sam Michaud, wing commander at 12 Wing Shearwater, said it makes sense for the air show to return to Shearwater because 2010 is not only the 100th anniversary of the Canadian navy, but the 65th anniversary of naval aviation in Canada.
“From a military perspective, it will be much, much more than an air show. We expect to see participation from the navy and army,” he said.
“It gives Canadians a chance to come out and connect with their military and the men and women who serve around the world in places like Afghanistan and Haiti.”
The big draws this year (Sept. 11-12) are a first appearance by a U.S. F-18 Super Hornet, the first flight of a Fairey Firefly since being restored, and of course, the Snowbirds.
