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Bonjour à tous! Bienvenue à AERO Gatineau-Ottawa 2026!
Je tiens tout d'abord à vous remercier de votre soutien et de votre dévouement lors des éditions précédentes. Votre temps, votre enthousiasme et votre esprit d'équipe contribuent à faire de cet événement une expérience inoubliable pour tous les visiteurs et participants chaque année. Les préparatifs vont bon train et le spectacle aérien de cette année (du 18 au 20 septembre) promet d'être une édition EXCEPTIONNELLE.
NOUVEAU COORDONNATRICE DES BÉNÉVOLES
Comme je l'ai mentionné en octobre lors de la journée de reconnaissance des bénévoles, après de nombreuses années de dévouement auprès de l'équipe de bénévoles, Sam Kazak quittera cette année son poste de coordonnateur des bénévoles.
Sam a dirigé notre programme de bénévolat avec brio et nous sommes heureux d'annoncer qu'il continuera de mettre ses compétences au service d'AERO Gatineau-Ottawa au sein de l'équipe des opérations sur place.
Merci sincèrement, Sam, pour votre excellent travail et nous avons hâte de vous revoir sur le terrain cet été.
C’est avec grand plaisir qu’Heather Unhola prend la relève et accepte le poste de nouvelle coordonnatrice des bénévoles. Vous l’avez peut-être aperçue récemment à la tente du VMC, où elle veillait à ce que les bénévoles et les membres d’équipage aient un endroit où se reposer et déjeuner entre leurs quarts de travail.
Heather est bénévole chez AERO Gatineau-Ottawa depuis 2021 et apporte à l’équipe sa passion pour l’aviation, la photographie, l’art et les relations humaines.
Nous vous remercions de votre patience pendant cette transition, le temps qu’Heather prenne ses marques et s’adapte à ses nouvelles fonctions. Bienvenue, Heather!
John Bennett
General Director/ Directeur général
Aéro Gatineau-Ottawa
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Hello everyone! Welcome to AERO Gatineau-Ottawa 2026!
I’d like to start by thanking you all for your support and dedication during past shows. Your time, enthusiasm, and teamwork are what allow the event to be such an unforgettable experience for all the visitors and participants each year. Work is well underway behind the scenes, and this year’s airshow (September 18-19-20) is going to be another AMAZING edition.
NEW VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
As I mentioned in October at the Volunteer Appreciation event, after many years of dedication supporting the volunteer team, Sam Kazak will be taking a step back this year from the Volunteer Coordinator role.
Sam has done a steadfast job leading our volunteer program, and we are happy to report that he will continue to share his talents with AERO Gatineau-Ottawa as part of the onsite Operations Team.
Thank you sincerely Sam for your hard work, and we look forward to seeing your smiling face on the airfield this summer.
Stepping into the empty shoes and accepting the position as our new Volunteer Coordinator is Heather Unhola. You may recognize her most recently from her lead position in the VMC Tent, ensuring volunteers and crew members had a place to rest and have lunch between shifts.
Heather has been with AERO Gatineau-Ottawa as a volunteer since 2021, and brings a love for aviation, photography, art and people to the table.
We ask everyone for patience as this transition takes place and Heather learns and moves into the new role. Welcome Heather!
John Bennett
General Director/ Directeur général
Aéro Gatineau-Ottawa
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Merci John!
C’est un honneur pour moi d’assumer ce rôle et de travailler avec une communauté de bénévoles aussi formidable qui contribue chaque année à la réussite du spectacle aérien. Un grand merci à l’équipe pour cette opportunité et à vous tous qui consacrez votre temps, votre énergie et votre enthousiasme à faire de cet événement un tel succès.
Je me réjouis de revoir des visages familiers et de faire la connaissance de ceux avec qui je n’ai pas encore eu le plaisir de collaborer. Que cette année soit tout aussi exceptionnelle !
NETTOYAGE DE LA BASE DE DONNÉES DES BÉNÉVOLES
En prévision du prochain spectacle aérien, nous prenons le temps de nettoyer et de mettre à jour notre base de données des bénévoles.
Si vous recevez ce message et que vous ne souhaitez plus faire partie du réseau de bénévoles d’AERO Gatineau-Ottawa, veuillez simplement répondre à volunteer@aerogatineauottawa.ca pour nous en informer. Votre nom et votre profil seront immédiatement supprimés. Merci pour vos contributions passées.
INSCRIPTION PRIORITAIRE POUR LES BÉNÉVOLES DE RETOUR
Pour remercier les bénévoles d'AERO-GO de retour, l'accès prioritaire pour s'inscrire et choisir vos postes de bénévoles pour 2026 avant l'ouverture du recrutement au public est maintenant OUVERT. Cet accès vous donne la première occasion de choisir les rôles qui vous plaisent le plus.
Nous avons hâte de commencer une autre année incroyable avec notre formidable équipe de bénévoles et de revoir de nombreux visages familiers à AERO Gatineau-Ottawa 2026!
Heather
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Thank you, John!
It’s an honour to step into this role and work with such an incredible community of volunteers who help bring the airshow to life. A big thank you to the directors for the opportunity, and to all of you as volunteers!
I’m looking forward to seeing familiar faces and to meeting those of you whom I have not yet had the pleasure of working with. Here’s to another stellar year!
VOLUNTEER DATABASE CLEAN-UP
As we prepare for the upcoming airshow, we are taking some time to clean up and update the volunteer database.
If you are receiving this message and no longer wish to be a part of the Aero Gatineau-Ottawa volunteer network, please simply reply to volunteer@aerogatineauottawa.ca and let us know. Your name and profile will be removed immediately. Thank you your past contributions.
PRIORITY SIGN UP FOR RETURNING VOLUNTEERS
As a thank-you to returning AERO-GO Volunteers, priority access to sign in and select your volunteer positions for 2026 before recruitment opens to the public is NOW OPEN. This access gives you the first opportunity to choose the roles you enjoy most.
We are looking forward to another amazing year with our incredible volunteer team and it will be great to see many familiar faces back at AERO Gatineau-Ottawa 2026!
Heather
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2025 AERO-GO Volunteer Newsletter
Introducing the Executive Team AERO Gatineau-Ottawa Airshow. Vol 1
The AERO-GO team is composed of the wonderful cadre of volunteers (YOU!).
Meet the Nine members form the Executive Team organization AERO Gatineau-Ottawa Airshow.
In their own words, we’d like to introduce you to them now
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Board Position: Director, and Executive Member Airshow Role: Director General Favorite Aircraft: Spitfire, P-38 Why do I volunteer? I like giving back to the community, I have done all my life. Why the airshow? Because my passion is for airplanes and letting everyone see them as they should be flying!
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Board Position: Director, and Executive Member Airshow Role: Director of Site Logistics, Finance Favorite Aircraft: *Lancaster bomber, Hurricane, A-10 Warthog Why do I volunteer? As a non-pilot, but aviation enthusiast, what better way to get close and personal to vintage and modern aircraft and enjoy the experience of seeing aircraft flying or static, normally not seen but in pictures, movies or on TV?? I've been volunteering with air shows since the late 90's, when they were located at the Ottawa International Airport, then Carp ON, Vintage Wings (Wings Over Gatineau) and since AERO-GO's inception.
*The Lancaster bomber has always been my favourite aircraft; its size, power and the majestic sound of 4 Merlin engines. A bit of personal connection - my father was part of a group of 5 close school pals that were in various elements of the British Armed Forces in WWII.They all survived but 1, and he was killed in a Lanc participating in the famed Dambusters raid, shot down on the way home. |
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Board Position: Board Member Airshow Role: Director, Performer Support (POC) I am “the host with the most”! I ensure that the participating teams and visiting performers are properly supported with regards to accommodations, transportation, aircraft support equipment and fuel, and any other thing or service that they need during their stay with us. My role keeps me busy throughout the year. I get activated as soon as a team gets confirmed for the show. I also help with providing similar care for the civilian performers. I have a small team of highly motivated and exciting people working with me. Favorite Aircraft: DeHaviland Mosquito, Fairchild A-10, Hawker Hurricane Why do I volunteer? I particularly enjoy creating those special moments for the performers and spectators, whenever I can. Also, you get to meet and work with such amazing people! |
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Rob Collison Board Position: Board Member Airshow Role: Crowd Safety Director Favorite Aircraft: Snoopy’s Flying Doghouse |
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Board Position: Director, and Executive Member Airshow Role: Director Ground Ops air side, Sponsorship Coordinator Favorite Aircraft: B-25 Mitchell, B-17 Flying Fortress, DH Mosquito Why do I volunteer? I always wanted to work to produce an airshow plus being around aircraft and friendly faces is a lot of fun. (PS…there is a long story behind the call sign!)
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Denis "Olaf" Godin
Board Position: Board Member, Program Director Airshow Role: Air Operations/Program Director
Favorite Aircraft: CL-415, Lancaster Bomber Why do I volunteer? I love to work with colleagues that are aviation enthusiasts like me, who are very passionate about the mission and its execution. However, the main reward for me is to see the smiles of the public, especially children, when they see the aircraft in the air and on the ground. |
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Board Position: Board Member Airshow Role: Volunteer Coordinator Favorite Aircraft: My favourite plane is the Canadian Chinook CH-149
Why do I volunteer? Hi, I'm Sam Kazak , the Volunteer Coordinator at Aero Gatineau Air show! I'm here to connect passionate individuals with meaningful volunteer opportunities that align with our mission to Fly High with our Air show 2025. Whether you're looking to give back to the community at our Air show, or gain new skills, I'm excited to help you find the perfect volunteer role for you
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Board Position: Director, and Executive Member Airshow Role: Director, Customer Experience Starting with Marketing, through Sales, and ultimately the on-site experience, to ensure that all our different audiences' needs are met. Or simply, making sure that everyone has a good time! Favorite Aircraft: Spitfire, SR-71 Blackbird, my Piper Lance Why do I volunteer? Good question! For the past 40 years it seems people have just kept asking me to help run their air shows. And I am excited to continue as part of the AERO-GO team in 2025 |
John Bennett
Barry Camm
Mike” SPARKY” Clark, RCAF Capt (ret’d)
Michel “Overlord” Côté 
Sam Kazak 
Girvan “Girvan!” Patterson Airshow Coordinator
AERO-GO continues to expand! In order to support the growth and sustainability of the AERO-GO events this year and into the future,
the Board of Directors decided to engage an Airshow Coordinator.
This role is meant to support the Board and varied section heads with production logistics, sponsor engagement and industry relationships.
To the role, we welcome Kate Witoszkin! Some of you may remember meeting her onsite in 2024 as part of the POC Team.
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A bit about me: Hi Everyone! (wave emoji here) I am thrilled to be working on the AERO-GO show again this year, and look forward to meeting you all in person as we work on training and onsite projects through the summer…and of course during the show weekend!
I’ve spent a lot of my life around airshows; starting as a volunteer in the Rotary Club Concession Tent at The Abbotsford Airshow when I was 12! Fast-forward 30 years, and I have worked or volunteered at 15 airshows across Canada, USA and UK. Some highlight shows in my repertoire: Abbotsford, California Int’l Airshow (Salinas CA) and the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT, Fairford England).
Each show site and its group of volunteers bring a special and unique spirit to an event. It is a special type of family to belong to, and Gatineau-Ottawa is no exception.
In my daily life, I work in the Space Division at DND where I get the chance to hear very smart people tell me about the things that we’re doing in space! I am also an avid reader and theatre fan. |
Kate’s Favorite Aircraft: BAC Electric Lightning & deHavilland Vampire
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