Canadian SkyHawks expected to wow Air Show spectators in Toronto

Toronto Times talks with Master Corporal Marc Dumaine before the Canadian International Air Show

TORONTO, Sept. 1, 2022 – Although a Canadian institution, the CF Snowbirds will not be performing in Toronto this weekend (Sept. 3-5) at the Canadian International Air Show (CIAS) due to an ongoing Flight Safety investigation, the Canadian Forces SkyHawks – Canada’s only military parachute demonstration team, will be dropping from the sky to wow Toronto audiences on all three days of the CIAS.

Each year the SkyHawks perform events across North America and around the world, thrilling audiences with their aerobatic parachute formations. The SkyHawks have performed to over 75 million spectators worldwide the team is proud to once again fly their signature Canadian flag parachutes at the Canadian International Air Show this weekend.

Ahead of their highly anticipated Toronto air show demonstrations this weekend some of our Toronto Times team were given the opportunity of a lifetime, to experience what it’s like to jump out of a plane at 10,000 feet with the CF SkyHawks. After a successful tandem jump, we were also able to get a one on one interview with Master Corporal Marc Dumaine, who was actually the tandem jump guide who delivered interviewer Julian Lankstead safely back to ground with a perfect landing.

Interview with Master Corporal Marc Dumaine of the CF SkyHawks military parachute demonstration team

TT: So I’m here with Master Corporal Marc Dumaine, my tandem skydive from 10,000 feet over Trenton, Ontario. We appreciate you giving us the opportunity to do that.

Master Corporal Marc Dumaine: Absolutely. My pleasure.

TT: So, would you maybe be able to tell us a little bit about yourself and how you became a SkyHawk?

Master Corporal Marc Dumaine I grew up in New Brunswick and at the age of 19, I joined the military as an artillery member. I did that for about 11 years and during that time. I did my basic para, which is like the introduction to jumping in the military, essentially. And it’s around parachuting. From there, I kind of fell in love with jumping and started doing it on my own time, and then decided to switch over, to become a parachute rigger. And, ever since I switched over to become a parachute rigger, I’ve done all kinds of courses, including freefall and stuff like that. And, I was lucky enough to be selected to become, the team Rigg, for the sky axis here.

TT: Excellent. And what do you like best about skydiving and being a Canadian SkyHawk?

Master Corporal Marc Dumaine: I think it’s just, uh, skydiving itself. It’s always exciting. No matter how many jumps I got every single time I’m up there. It is just fun. I enjoy it every single time being a SkyHawk, honestly, it’s, it’s interacting with people across Canada, um, is, is definitely one of my highlights.

TT: Yeah. And then when you’re coming up with these formations, what is that process like?

Master Corporal Marc Dumaine: So we go to California for five weeks of training and we have, two of the best, instructors. And, they are the ones, who teach us how to do what we do in the air. And we adjust according to our team size and our experience level. And then we give the formations to, to the team from there.

What should Toronto spectators expect from the Canadian Skyhawks at this year’s air show?

TT: So what should, Toronto spectators expect from the SkyHawks at the, (Canadian International) Air Show this weekend?

Master Corporal Marc Dumaine: So this weekend it’s gonna be a bit unique. It’s not our normal show. So every day there will be one formation. And, so the first day tomorrow (Saturday) should be the K and T. The day after (Sunday) will be the drag. And then the tri-by-side. So the K and T is going to be two members with two canopies on top and one below, and it’ll have a flag, so every single day we’re essentially going to be landing in the water. We’ll actually be landing in the water on all three days. The three-side-drag will be two canopies on top and one upside down. And at some point the top person will let go and the two will go to a down plane. And then at some point they’ll let go and then go land in the water. And then on the third day, it’ll be the tri-by-side, which is my formation. You’ll see three canopies side by side, and at some point we’ll turn and go downplay, uh, straight to the earth. And then we’ll let go last second and in line in the water.

TT: That sounds exciting. I look forward to seeing it. Awesome. So just wrapping up here, do you have any last words or comments for people maybe wanting to get into skydiving?

Master Corporal Marc Dumaine: I say, just do it! Sign up, with your local skydiving drop zone. Start with a tandem just like today. You won’t regret it. It’s the best, honestly. And for this weekend, just come and check us out. It’s gonna be a great show. So, yeah.

TT: And it’s been a while since the Skyhawks have been to the air show in Toronto, so that’s right. So, it’ll be a nice, homecoming for them, and,absolutely everyone’s looking forward to seeing you!

Master Corporal Marc Dumaine We’re very excited to be in the show.

TT: Excellent. Thanks very much

Detailed History of the Canadian SkyHawks parachute team

In June of 1969 an unofficial team comprised of sport parachute qualified members of the Canadian Airborne Regiment was formed under the authority of the Commanding Officer. The Team performed its first show on the June 14, 1969, at the Mobile Force Fire Power Demonstration at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ontario. At that time the team was known as the Canadian Airborne Regiment Parachute Team.

By October of 1970 the team was referred to as the Canadian Forces Parachute Team. Under this new title, the team attended the World Parachuting Championships in Fontainebleau, France, where they brought home the silver medal in the Team Accuracy event.

In 1971, the team came under command of the Canadian Airborne Centre (CABC) and was officially formed by National Defence Headquarters in August of that same year. The following month saw the title “SkyHawks” bestowed upon the team by the Commanding Officer of CABC. The team changed its name to the Canadian Army Parachute Team in 2013.

Between the inception of the name “SkyHawks” and the team’s 40th anniversary season in 2011, many changes have taken place. The most notable change took place in 1977 when the team traded the Para-Commander round parachute for the more maneuverable Ram-Air square parachute. This advance in team equipment allowed for more dynamic and crowd-pleasing performances. One part of the team, which has not changed, is the Signature of the SkyHawks: the Canadian Flag parachute.

On the September 19, 1982, the SkyHawks performed the world’s most northerly demonstration jump at Canadian Forces Station Alert on the northern tip of Ellesmere Island.

In August of 1996 the CABC moved along with the SkyHawks from Edmonton to their new home base in Trenton, Ontario. At this time the Canadian Airborne Centre underwent restructuring and was renamed the Canadian Parachute Centre.

Ten years later the Canadian Parachute Centre was renamed The Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre (CAAWC) which began the transformation into a Centre of Excellence for Army Advanced Warfare while remaining home unit to the SkyHawks. It is now known as the Canadian Army Advanced Warfare Centre, and continues to be the home unit of the SkyHawks.

Each year they perform events across North America and around the world thrilling audiences with their aerobatic parachute formations in the sky. Having performed to over 75 million spectators worldwide the team is proud to once again fly their signature Canadian flag parachutes this season.

First jump reaction

And what did our Toronto Times team think about their first jump? It was an amazing experience, everyone should try this,” said Julian Lankstead. “The SkyHawks did a fantastic job curating the experience and making us beginners feel confident about jumping our of a plane from 10,000 feet,” said Lankstead.

When asked what part she liked best, Lauren Brown of Nottawa, said, “when the shoot opened” and then went on later to say, “I wish it lasted longer. I’m ready for my next jump!”

73rd Canadian International Air Show Highlights

Canada’s largest and longest-running Air Show is celebrating its 73rd year this Labour Day weekend. Tickets are still available at cias.org. Aside from the CF SkyHawks, other performaners include:

Canadian Forces Skyhawks Demonstration Team
RCAF CF-18 Demonstration Team
USAF F-35 Demonstration Team
Gord Price & The Yak-50 – final performance before retirement
Canadian Forces Snowbirds (TBD)
Kyle Fowler & The Long EZ
P51 Mustang
RCAF CH-146 Griffon

WHEN: September 3rd – 5th, 2022

WHAT TIME: 12:00pm – 3:00pm each day

WHERE: 1095 Lake Shore Blvd West, Toronto.
(South Side of Lakeshore Blvd. West across from the Liberty Grand. East of British Columbia Blvd)

Interview by Julian Lankstead, who along with Lauren Brown (also from Toronto Times), and Brandon Rowe of CityNews Toronto, joined the Canadian SkyHawks Friday morning for a spectacular exhilarating morning tandem jump out of Trenton’s Mountain View Airport. You can check out their jump experience on @toronto_times instagram reels and stories. Look to the skies this weekend at the Canadian International Air Show in Toronto to see some incredible aerobatic parachuting courtesy of your Canadian SkyHawks.

by Terry Lankstead with notes from CF SkyHawks

Other articles from totimes.ca – mtltimes.ca – otttimes.ca