PIERRE, S.D. (KCCR) – The centerpiece of an Independence Day weekend air show in Pierre has been locked up with a northern flare. The “Let Freedom Fly” International Air Show will indeed be International.
Jim Peitz with Mustang Aviation in Pierre locked up the Canadian Forces Snowbirds after meeting with airshow industry officials at an air show convention in Las Vegas recently.
The Snowbirds are the Air Demonstration Squadron of the Canadian Armed Forces. They fly the CT-114 Tutor jets at speeds of up to 370 miles an hour as close as four inches apart. Peitz says they are trying line up all varieties of military aircraft both historic and modern.
Seven civilian performers, all with major awards to their credit are also scheduled to perform. Peitz say lining up the planes was the easy part, but there is still a lot of work to do.
The Snowbirds are celebrating 50 years of performing as a demonstration squad in 2020. The Let Freedom Fly International Airshow is July 4th and 5th at Pierre Regional Airport.