Flying home: Local pilot living his dream
Windsor is home base for the Canadian Forces Snowbirds this weekend, and it’s a special landing spot for one of its pilots.
Since a young age, Bassam Mnaymneh has always wanted to be a pilot.
“As a child, going to airshows in Windsor, I’d see Snowbirds and fighter jets and airplanes fly over I always wanted to be a military pilot,” he says.
After graduating from Vincent Massey Secondary, he attended The Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont.
“I ended up flying helicopters in Victoria British Columbia and then moved to Moose Jaw,” Mnaymneh says.
The 43-year-old is now a pilot for Snowbird 5, which flies in the back of the formation.
“So I was able to focus my attention on being a military pilot. The snowbirds is the cherry on top,” he says.
The Snowbirds signature nine-jet precision formation will be featured at an air show in Ypsilanti, Michigan this weekend.
They’re using Windsor as a platform for take-off and landing.
“It’s just great to come home and see my family from a distance and just to say hello,” says Mnaymneh.
The show is divided into three parts.
First an opener with nine planes flying in formation together doing loops and roles.
“Then we split and do integrated so it’s a series of passes. We have our solo pilots who do crosses,” Mnaymneh says.
And then a finale.
“Sit in your backyard or front yard have a look up and say hello from there and that would be awesome,” he says.
Mnaymneh says residents will be able to see the Snowbirds in the air around 5:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
Video shows suspects waving weapons, smashing glass in Toronto jewelry store robbery
Arrests have been made after five men were captured on video rampaging through a jewelry store in Toronto, waving weapons and smashing glass display cases.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
She was too sick for a traditional transplant. So she received a pig kidney and a heart pump
Doctors have transplanted a pig kidney into a New Jersey woman who was near death, part of a dramatic pair of surgeries that also stabilized her failing heart.
What Canadians think of the latest Liberal budget
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.