As the Canadian International Airshow kicks off this week, Toronto is preparing to hum with aviation activity, including an incredible number of flying displays. From fly pasts by the C-130 Hercules to the raucous display of power and talent by the USAF F35 display team, it's set to be a packed event that is sure to wow the crowds.Sadly the iconic Snowbirds will not be appearing this year, after an accident with a CT-114 Tutor in early August. An emergency during takeoff saw the pilot making a rapid landing, damaging the airplane, although the pilot was not injured. As such, the Commander of 1 Canadian Air Division has called an operational pause on the fleet.Snowbirds-1Accidents at airshows are rare, but do happen from time to time. This week, it’s the 70th anniversary of the crash of an experimental de Havilland DH.110 at Farnborough Airshow in the UK. The airplane disintegrated in mid-air, killing 29 spectators and injuring 60. And accidents have happened all over the world in more recent history too.In 2002, 77 spectators were killed at Skynliv Air Show when a Sukhoi Su-27 crashed into the crowd. Rammstein Air Show in 1988 saw three airplanes from the Italian Air Force display team crash to the ground, killing three pilots and 67 spectators. And at the 2011 National Championship Air Races, 11 people died and 69 were injured when a P-51D Mustang crashed in front of the grandstands.

Making aerial displays safer

In the United States, airshows will have a qualified safety inspector, the Inspector In Charge (IIC), appointed to supervise security at the show. The FAA will liaise with the IIC, and the IIC will have a team of inspectors working alongside them to assist with compliance and supervision.

Using a laser measuring device, the IIC will meticulously ensure a minimum level of separation between the showline and spectators. For displays using category three aircraft (those that travel below 156 knots), this distance is set at 500 feet. For category one aircraft (traveling in excess of 245 knots) this increases to 1,500 feet.

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Source: FAA

As well as checking the showground, the IIC will inspect the surrounding areas to decide if road closures or additional crowd control is required outside of the event space. The IIC will need to ensure security is maintained throughout the airshow, and that there are procedures and resources in place to cope in the event of an emergency. All these issues must be adequately dealt with in order for the show to obtain a Certificate of Waiver (CoW) to go ahead with the event.

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Source: FAA

Performers are required to direct their energy parallel to the crowd, and to avoid maneuvers that directly face them in case of something going wrong. They must limit their aerobatic activities to a ‘box’ in the sky, where they are safely away from the crowd. Inspectors will also check the credentials of pilots and the condition of airplanes to ensure safety is maintained.

Are airshows safe?

Thanks to the measures in place, most airshows take place without incident. Accidents are far less frequent today than they were in decades past, but that doesn’t mean they never happen. The proliferation of vintage and historic airplanes at airshows means sometimes things do go wrong, but with the distance separating people and planes, injuries to spectators are rare.

In the UK, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) set out rules for airshows following the de Havilland crash in 1952. Similarly, these rules specify minimum distances for spectators away from airplane action. However, given the distances traveled by airplanes, particularly jets, when performing stunts, sometimes it’s not just the spectators that require protection.

Four bright red fighters fly in formation as part of a performance.
Photo: RAF

In 2015, a Hawker Hunter was performing a display at Shoreham Airshow in the UK when the pilot lost control of the plane. It crashed onto the busy A27 road adjacent to the airport, killing 11 people and injuring 16. As a result of this accident, the CAA introduced tighter legislation demanding aerial displays are no longer performed near populated areas. Now, you won’t see the Red Arrows displaying at Farnborough Airshow – they will only perform aerobatics when they are safely out over the ocean.