Air Traffic Control

Historical Detail

Of all the larger aircraft, only one can boast membership on a semi-official formation team. In 1982 the Tactical Airlift School based at CFB Edmonton (Namao) formed a four-plane team of C-130 Hercules transports manned by the instructors responsible for teaching advanced tactics to line crews across the country. By 1984 the team under the leadership of Major Frank Fay had incorporated many of the crowd-pleasing manoeuvres seen in earlier years as solo demonstrations. The team started off their show by passing in review in box formation, subsequently switching to line-astern and line-abreast formations. Following a vic formation pass the team split up with the leader and number 2 setting up for a formation LAPES drop. As their cargo strapped on skids slid to a halt in front of the crowd in a coud of dust, Tiger 3 appeared overhead with 40 members of the Canadian Airborne Regiment pouring out of the back in a tactical paradrop demonstration. Then, as the last jumper floated to the ground, Tiger 4 was on final for a high-speed pass that belied the size of the aircraft. To end the show, all four aircraft joined up and then reappeared over the base for a low-level battle break to landing.

The battle break was traditionally a fighter manoeuvre but was also most impressive when flow by a section of Hercules approaching the field in a high speed, low level tactical formation. As the formation reached the centre of the field, each aircraft would in turn pull up into a 180 degree climbing turn to position downwind for landing. It was an exciting way to end an aerial demonstration.

Tragically, it was from a similar formation flown by local Hercules crews on 29 March 1985 at CFB Edmonton that a mid-air collision occured between the lead and number 2 as they rolled out on downwind. What had started out as a motivational flypast designed to heighten the spirits of squadron personnel in celebration of the formation of the air force, instantly turned into a disaster of unprecedented proportions as 10 squadron members on the two aircraft lost their lives.

Although there was thankfully no one hurt on the ground, the reprucussions of the accident were to reverberate across the air force as virtually all non-operational formation flying was cancelled. This resulted in the grounding of the majority of the regional formation teams that were preparing for another airshow season in 1985 and for many, marked the end of an era.

The Tactical Tigers pass in review during CFB Edmonton's Armed Forces Day in 1983.
Courtesy Steve Hale.