'Gold standard': Plane spotters in Calgary hope for glimpse of Air Force One at G7

CBC

6 hours ago

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Airplane enthusiasts are setting up at the Calgary International Airport in hopes of seeing some exciting aircraft land for the start of the G7 leaders' summit in nearby Kananaskis, Alta.
Corbin Johnson wants to catch a glimpse of the plane carrying U.S. President Donald Trump.
"Air Force One is certainly the gold standard, but I think myself and everyone else is very excited to see all the other aircraft are coming," Johnson said Saturday, as he checked out a viewing area of the airport.
The spot is also one of three designated demonstration zones that police have set up in Calgary, with another in Banff.
Prime Minister Mark Carney is hosting G7 leaders from the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan and Italy, who were expected to arrive Sunday for the start of the three-day summit in Kananaskis, southwest of Calgary in the Rocky Mountains.
Some leaders of non-member countries, including Ukraine and India, are also set to attend.
Johnson, a camera around his neck, said he posts all his plane photos on Instagram.
"My love of airplanes, I would say started right here, where we're standing. My parents would take me here to plane spot and look at all the planes that would come through here," he said.
"This is absolutely my number one hobby. It's something you can make as full-time as you kind of want to."
Jaidon Phelps, 20, is an aspiring pilot that works at WestJet. He was at the viewing area at 6 a.m. on Sunday.
"It's just cool to be part of what's going on and see what aircraft are coming in from all of the various nations that are participating and most importantly to see if we can get Air Force One," he said.
"It's just the magnitude of what it is. Something you've always wanted to see."
The community of plane spotters tends to share intel, with some people noting early Sunday that the Japanese delegation was already Canada-bound. There was also discussion of the best location to see the planes come in.
Demonstrations expected at Calgary airport
Though domestic air traffic continues to flow normally, it's far from business as usual at the Calgary airport this weekend.
Several police vehicles were seen driving through the parking lot on Saturday. A sign on the runway fence topped with barbed wire warns: "No Drone Zone." Air restrictions over the airport and Kananaskis Village went into effect Saturday morning.
Police said they have received indications that protesters are expected, and the demonstrations are to be broadcast on TVs set up for the leaders in Kananaskis.
RCMP Chief Supt. David Hall said he just wants the protests to be peaceful.
"We know it's important for people to have their message seen and heard by the world leaders, and it's for this reason we've established live feeds," he said.