Villeneuve Airport could soon be turned into a racetrack for aircraft.
Richard Skermer, president and CEO of the annual Edmonton Airshow, said the concept of an air race is going through final safety and regulatory approvals.
“I'm working to have them here August. All the lights right now on the traffic light are still flashing green, they’re not solid green,” he said.
Skermer is bringing the idea from Nevada’s Reno Air Race, after ongoing discussions with the American organization, he said. If all safety approvals go through, an air race demonstration will take place this fall.
He’s hoping the Edmonton Airshow will become the host of the National Championships Air Races.
Skermer, who presented the idea at May's St. Albert and District Chamber of Commerce meeting on Wednesday, said the event would likely be targeted towards those between 34 and 44 years old.
That means attendees will likely see electrically-run aircraft built with carbon fibre, much different than your grandpa’s North American P-51 Mustang.
Attendee Bruce Lecky asked Skermer if the air races would see any types of unmanned aircraft.
“You're talking about an air race ... have you considered a drone race?” he asked.
Skermer said he was currently looking into it, and was seeking regulatory approvals for also having drones whizzing through the air.
In terms of investment, Skermer has a few big businesses from Calgary considering whether or not to put money into the event. The demo alone would cost over $200,000 to put on, he said.
Remaining mum on the topic of investors, he said in an interview afterwards there are other ways that local St. Albert businesses could get involved.
The website currently has a list of partnership opportunities with the Edmonton Airshow, such as sponsoring a FOOT pylon – which the aircrafts will fly through – on the runway. The $15,000 inflatable pylon will then display that company’s name for the next five years.
For those worried about crashes in the air and flying pieces of engine and metal shrapnel falling on attendees, Skermer said he’s already worked on making sure it’s a safe experience.
“The audience will be 500 feet away,” he said. “The (aircraft are) only about 15 meters off the ground when they're flying. That's fairly low.”
If a crash were to occur, he said pieces wouldn’t reach the audience.
Crashes, among other factors like whether surrounding landowners are okay with aircraft flying over their property, are being discussed with the Edmonton International Airport.
The EIA, which owns Villeneuve Airport, has yet to give its final stamp of approval on the event. While the Edmonton Airshow has its own insurance for the event, the EIA oversees the facility.
“We're looking at this air racing as a way to push both airports to the forefront of an international stage,” he said.
For more information about the air race, visit: https://www.edmontonairshow.com/.
