A man watching the 2009 air show uses his cup of American beer to shade his eyes so he can better see the planes.

A young fan uses a headset with a built-in radio to listen to the ‘air boss’ (the controller running the air show) and the pilots during the 2009 Toronto International Air Show. Yes, < a href='http://www.canairradio.com/airshow.html' target='_blank'>you can do that.

I’m sure they’re not really as close together as it seems. I hope.

The Snowbirds at last year’s air show.

The Snowbirds head straight for the crowd at the 2009 Toronto International Air Show.

I likely won’t get to the 2010 Toronto International Air Show, this weekend as part of the CNE, so for the next few days I’m posting some pics from last year’s Air Show that I didn’t get to use then.

An F22 Raptor stealth bomber banks hard right, contrails forming over its wings, while the afterburners thrust the jet forward. Shot at the 2009 air show in Toronto.

Four Blue Angels, making their first appearance in Toronto since 1983, soar skyward over the crowd at the 2009 Canadian international Air Show.

Five of Canada’s Snowbirds perform dogfighting manoeuvers during the air show.

The Snowbirds – Canada’s aerial acrobatic demonstration team – bank left in formation during the 2009 Canadian International Air Show.