Saturday's extreme weather caused the cancellation of the first day of the 2010 Canadian International Air Show after only one plane took flight for eager crowds. Show organizers were pleased to see a much calmer Sunday forecast, which meant that the pilots were able to take to the skies and strut their stuff.

This year's air show didn't have as diverse of a lineup as in previous years (2009 showcased the F-22 Raptor and the Blue Angels) but was still a thrill to watch from the ground. According to the CIAS, the number of "disruptive" aircraft displays has been reduced this year. I suspect this was to appease inhabitants in the city who have a disdain for the excitement and boom to the local economy created by the event, as these people likely complain about the Indy, the Entertainment Districts, all cultural parades, marathons, the Metric Concert at Union Station, and other events of scale expected in the downtown core.

Even with this reduced disruption, aircraft aficionados were able to cheer on their favorite planes. Some of the participants this year included the iconic Canadian Forces Snowbirds, the CF-18, heart-stopping stunt aerobatics by Mike Wiskus in his Pitts, the USAF F-16 Viper, the HMS Fredericton and even a special guest appearance by the Canadian C-17 Globemaster before it embarked on a mission to Afghanistan. Some spectators were lucky enough to see a few Bombadier Q400 planes take off from the Island Airport as well, but they were likely Porter Airline flights and not part of the show.

The 2010 show celebrates the centennial of the Canadian Navy, the centennial of women in aviation and the 61st anniversary of the Canadian International Airshow.

Writing and photography by David G. Tran. For descriptions of the planes, take a look at his Flickr page.