In an announcement made today (May 19) at CFB Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan, Defence Minister David McGuinty confirmed what has been rumoured for weeks – that the Canadian Forces Snowbirds are being grounded at the end of this air show season. The team, with a new aircraft type, is expected to be resurrected in the early 2030s.
“For 55 years, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds have been a powerful symbol of excellence for Canadians at home and abroad,” said McGuinty. “…we remain firmly committed to a future air demonstration capability that continues this proud legacy.”
The CT-114 Tutor jet was a training aircraft manufactured by Canadair, designated by them as the CL-41. It entered service with the RCAF’s 2 Canadian Forces Training School in 1964, serving there until 1999 as the forces’ primary jet trainer. In 1967, an aerial demonstration team, the Golden Centennaires, was formed to celebrate Canada’s centennial and disbanded afterward after the celebrations ended. In 1971, an aerial demonstration squadron was formed and a fleet of CT-114s was transferred to it, becoming the Snowbirds. In April 1978, the Snowbirds team became 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, part of 15 Wing Moose Jaw.
“The members of 431 Air Demonstration Squadron – the Canadian Forces Snowbirds – past and present have been more than ambassadors for the Canadian Armed Forces and the Royal Canadian Air Force: they have been a source of pride and inspiration for generations,” said RCAF commander LCol Jamie Speiser-Blanchet. “As the iconic CT-114 Tutor prepares for its final flights, I encourage all Canadians to take in these last opportunities to witness this legendary aircraft and celebrate the team’s incredible 55 years of excellence.”
The defence ministry has identified the CT-157 Siskin II (a militarized of the Swiss-manufactured turboprop Pilatus PC-21) as the Tutor’s future replacement. The primary roles of the CT-157 will be tp support two courses in the Future Aircrew Training (FAcT) program, the Advanced Flying Training – Fixed Wing (AFT-FW) course as well as the Advanced Flying Training – Jet (AFT-Jet) course.