DULUTH — Aviation enthusiasts will not have to travel far to catch sight of what event coordinator Ryan Kern is calling a "once-in-a-lifetime" airshow Wednesday. The Duluth Air Spectacular, an aerial show featuring the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, will be held over Lake Superior near the Lakewalk and Canal Park. It starts at 5 p.
m. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime event opportunity," Kern said. "We have secured the airspace over the lake from surface to about 15,000 feet, so depending on where you are viewing the show, the aircraft will either be above you, at eye level, or below you.
"This is a unique feature about living in Duluth that allows these possibilities simply based on Duluth’s topography," Kern said. "Most airshows done over the water only allow spectators to view the aircraft above them." Viewers have a good chance of catching most of the show from anywhere downtown and the Central and East Hillside neighborhoods without a building blocking the lake, with the best views along the shore.
But Kern also noted that residents on the upper hillside and especially those along Skyline Parkway will be high enough to see the show from above. ADVERTISEMENT To ensure safety, Kern said they've worked with the U.S.
Coast Guard, Duluth Seaway Port Authority and other maritime entities to overcome some "logistical challenges." "The FAA requires a defined flight box for the performers to fly," he said. "We are accomplishing that by thinking outside the box and using new technology.
We're using autonomous buoys, which we can pre-program to mark a box on the water. The buoys move under their own power to hold that location without being anchored to the lake bed." The show is one of four sites the Canadian Snowbirds will visit this year as part of its 100th anniversary celebration tour.
The team is known for aerial acrobatics on par with frequent Duluth Air Show performers like the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and the U.
S. Navy Blue Angels. When it comes to finding your spot to view the show, Kern advised viewers to plan ahead.
"Plan where you’d like to watch the show, get there early and bring what you need to make the experience enjoyable for your family," Kern said. "Also, take advantage of the narration. We are going to livestream the event starting at 4-6 p.
m. and you’ll be able to get behind the scenes, so to speak, as the livestream show will be hosted by Jason Vincent from show center with audio from the Canadian Forces Snowbirds narrator." The livestream can be found at duluthairspectacular.
com and on social media @duluthairspectacular. Listen to the show at 560 AM and 106.3 FM around 4:30 p.
m..
