Keep The Snowbirds Flying - Part I
By Richard Dowson
The 2026 Season is the last year the Snowbirds will fly the Canadair CT-114 Tutor jet. Their last Show is scheduled or October 10 & 11, 2026 at Sacramento, California.
The Snowbirds were formed in June 1971; flew seven aircraft at first and now fly nine Canadair CT-114 Tutor Jet Trainers.
The Canadair CT-114 Tutor Jet Trainer is retiring, again, in 2026.
The aircraft, which were built between 1963 and 1966,replaced the T-33 and served as the RCAF main Jet Trainer from the 1960s until it was retired in 2000 and replaced by the British built CT-155 Hawk and the American built CT-156 Harvard II. The Hawk was retired in 2024.
The CT-156 Harvard II is still operational but in transition, waiting for replacement aircraft.
Source: Unknown Canadair CT-114 Tutor, Moose Jaw, 1982
Source: Wikipedia Another Canadair CT-114 Tutorfrom the 1980s
What’s Next – Replacement Aircraft
After the 2026 season there will be a pause until the Snowbirds are equipped with their replacement aircraft, the turbo-prop CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC-21)
The Procurement of Snowbirds’ replacement aircraft is a bit confusing. (And if you have been around the military for more than 20 minutes, you know what I mean about procurementconfusion.)
The Minister said the Pilatus PC-21 have been ordered, which is true for the new pilot training program. But – Is there a separate CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC-21) aircraft order for Snowbird replacements or will they use aircraft from the fleet of Pilot Training aircraft?
It is not clear.
In 2030 – How many Snowbirds will fly in a show? Six or nine?
It is not clear how many aircraft the Snowbirds would fly in ‘shows’ beginning in 2030. This final year, they are flying 9 CT-114 Tutors. Will they fly six or nine replacements?
The RAAF Acrobatic Team flies 6 Pilatus PC-21. The Royal Air Force Red Arrows fly the BAE Hawk T1.
They have been flying nine in shows but cut back to 7 because of a shortage of parts.Of that 7, one may be a reserve aircraft, meaning they will fly 6 in shows until they get a replacement.
Using the CT-114 Tutors After 2026
Stange as it may seem, the Royal Air Force Red Arrows are in a similar situation as the Snowbirds.
They can’t continue to fly nine BAE Hawk T1 trainers in shows. The Hawk is past its prime. Parts, and in particular engines, are not readily available. The RAF will replace the Hawk in 2030.
But the Red Arrows will continue to fly in shows, instead of standing down. They will use few airplanes, six instead of nine until 2030. That gives them enough spare parts until 2030.
Reduce Snowbirds to Six – like the Red Arrows, and Keep Flying
The Snowbirds could fly six (6) CT-114 Tutors in shows until replacements arrive and have enough spare part to continue. The smaller number is not a problem. Remember – when RCAF ‘Air Demonstration’ began, it was a single T-33 aircraft. The Red Knight.
A Six Tutor Team makes sense.
Canada needs the Snowbirds.
They represent a united Canada in a time when we all need to work together.
Having skilled, available, trained airmen sitting around hangars for three years waiting for airplanes to arrive doesn’t make much sense.
Not when six Snowbirds could safely continue shows until the 2030 season.
Aside from the patriotic side, the Snowbirds boost RCAF moral. The Snowbird ‘team experience’ is a reward for outstanding Flying Instructors. That’s a giant incentive and reward for service.
Recommendation
Keep the Snowbirds flying!
Have a patriotic Canadian make the decision – not the ‘bean-counter.’
Trivia – Historic Background of 431 Squadron
The following historical information is from the ‘Bomber Command Museum’ at Nanton, Alberta.
Nanton is an hour south of Calgary.
Link to Site:Bomber Command - No. 431 (Iroquois) Squadron
“Initially formed at Burn near Selby (The UK) on 11th November, 1942, No. 431 Squadron was a bomber unit with No. 4 Group flying Wellingtons.
Any aircraft that carried markings beginning with "SE" indicated the plane belonged to 431 Squadron. The squadron crest featuring an Iroquois Native's head, the motto reading "The Hatiten Ronteriios" ("Warriors of the Air").
“431 Squadron was reformed as "431 (Fighter) Squadron" during 1954.
On 9 August 1977 the squadron was reformed again, this time as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, which remains in existence today. The Snowbirds Demonstration Team…”
Halifax Bomber SE G
Writer Richard Dowson is a retired educator.
He is known for his frequenting local coffee shops and other places seniors gather.
He is out living the life and helping solve the world’s problems so to speak.
In a previous life he wrote comedy for CHED in Edmonton.
His views may or may not reflect the views of this publication.