Ottawa Is Getting a Fighter Jet Flyover This Wednesday
Ottawa residents are in for a striking aerial spectacle this Wednesday, as two Royal Canadian Air Force CF-18 Hornet fighter jets are set to streak across the city's skies in a ceremonial flyover.
The twin-engine supersonic jets — the backbone of Canada's fighter fleet for over four decades — will make their pass over the capital as part of an official commemorative occasion, giving Ottawans a rare close-up look at the aircraft that defend Canadian airspace.
What Are CF-18 Hornets?
The CF-18 Hornet (officially the CF-188) has been Canada's primary fighter jet since 1982. Originally built by McDonnell Douglas (now Boeing), the aircraft is capable of flying at speeds exceeding Mach 1.8 — roughly 2,200 km/h — and can reach altitudes of over 15,000 metres.
Canada operates a fleet of CF-18s out of bases including CFB Cold Lake in Alberta and CFB Bagotville in Quebec, with the jets regularly performing interception duties across North American airspace as part of Canada's NORAD commitments alongside the United States.
Flybys like this one are typically staged to mark significant national occasions — think Victoria Day, Remembrance Day commemorations, or major ceremonies on Parliament Hill — and they're always a crowd-pleaser in a city with deep ties to the Canadian Armed Forces.
Where to Watch
For the best view, head somewhere with a wide-open sightline to the sky. Parliament Hill, Major's Hill Park, the ByWard Market area, and the banks of the Ottawa River are all solid bets for an unobstructed look at the jets as they make their pass.
If you're planning to be outdoors anyway on Wednesday, keep your ears peeled — the distinctive roar of a CF-18 at low altitude is hard to miss, and you'll want to have your phone or camera ready. The flyover itself will likely last only a matter of seconds, so don't blink.
A Proud Tradition in the Capital
Military flybys have long been a feature of life in Ottawa, a city that hosts more federal institutions and Armed Forces ceremonies than anywhere else in the country. Events at Rideau Hall, National War Memorial ceremonies, and major state occasions frequently feature aerial salutes from RCAF aircraft.
While the CF-18 fleet is currently in the middle of a generational transition — Canada is replacing the Hornets with Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II jets over the coming years — the CF-18 remains an icon of Canadian airpower, and any chance to see one up close is worth marking on your calendar.
Keep an eye on the skies Wednesday, Ottawa. It's not every day a supersonic fighter jet buzzes the capital.
Source: CTV News Ottawa via Google News. For full details on the occasion behind the flyover, visit the original report at CTV News.
