RAF Typhoon Display Team to make North American airshow debut in 2024
The Spectacle Aérien International de Bagotville has announced that the Royal Air Force Typhoon Display Team will be performing their North American airshow debut at the show.
The Bagotville International Air Show, set to take place on the 22nd and 23rd of June 2024 will be the team’s only appearance in North America this year.
Displaying the mighty Typhoon will be Flight Lieutenant David Turnbull, also known as Turbo, stepping into the role previously held by Flight Lieutenant Matthew Brighty in 2023. Turbo, an accomplished fighter pilot with over 6 years of experience flying the Typhoon, has participated in various missions including Operation Shader in Iraq, Exercise Saif Sareea in Oman, and Exercise Bersama Lima in Malaysia. The 2024 display is set to showcase the jet's exceptional manoeuvrability and remarkable thrust-to-weight ratio through a series of exciting new manoeuvres this season.
RAF Typhoon in the ‘Blackjack’ colour scheme
'Turbo’ and all of the Typhoon Display Team members, including skilled engineers, dedicated Ground Support personnel, experienced Public Relations staff, and the management, are exclusively selected from the talented pool of individuals at No 29(R) Squadron. Situated at RAF Coningsby in the picturesque county of Lincolnshire, No 29 Squadron is the RAF’s Typhoon Operational Conversion Unit (OCU) and its biggest fast jet operator.
The upcoming aerial performance is set to commemorate a significant milestone for the Royal Canadian Air Force, as they celebrate their 100th anniversary. Throughout its history, the RCAF has maintained enduring and meaningful connections with the Royal Air Force, symbolizing a longstanding bond between the two air forces.
Turbo said:
“The Typhoon Display Team is delighted to announce that we will be participating in the Bagotville Air Show in June. Our two Air Forces are historically closely linked, So the Royal Air Force is very proud to contribute through this visit to the celebration of the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force”
The Typhoon display is a culmination of months of hard work, detailed preparation, and concerted effort by the team behind the display. Whilst it is the pilot who displays the aircraft, his performance is made possible only through the unwavering support and commitment of the dedicated group of professionals that comprise the Typhoon Display Team. Each member's contribution, be it in logistics, maintenance, or planning, is essential in ensuring the display's success.
The Bagotville International Air Show was held for the first time in 1953. Over the years, the SAIB has built an enviable reputation throughout North America. A member of the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS), it has distinguished itself on numerous occasions with its promotional and marketing activities, having won several awards at the annual ICAS convention in Las Vegas, Nevada.
At the ICAS 2019 convention, SAIB19 was the winner of the prestigious Platinum “Pinnacle” Award, which recognized its world leadership in green event management.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, SAIB was forced to adapt the event for a flying tour (SAIB21 – Operation Bon Voisinage).
Following this special edition and a context in which the Canadian Armed Forces needs to be restructured, SAIB23 had to be postponed for a year. All Canadian military air shows scheduled for 2023 have been cancelled.
SAIB24 will come back in force in 2024 with new features as part of a spectacular air show at Canadian Forces Base Bagotville. Four military air shows are to be held in Canada in 2024.
No effort was spared to mark the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force. In addition to aircraft used throughout the last century, three of Canada's major air demonstration teams––the Snowbirds, the Skyhawks and the CF-18 demonstration aircraft––will be part of the show. We’ve also received confirmation that a European demonstration team will attend. We’re pulling out all the stops for this edition in order to show more demonstration aircraft on the ground.
Without a doubt, SAIB is the greatest family activity in the Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean region. Presented every two years, it attracts over 100,000 people every time (in 2019, that number reached a record 143,000).
For more than 71 years now, in addition to offering breathtaking aerial demonstrations, the SAIB24 has allowed members of the public to visit CFB Bagotville’s military facilities and various operational services as part of a large-scale ground display. Thousands of visitors can also see and tour dozens of aircraft. We have also expanded our site in order to exhibit a greater number of military and civilian aircraft along with vehicles used by the Canadian Armed Forces.
