The iconic Canadian Forces Snowbirds will make their final flights in their current planes this summer as they are finally getting new planes.
The Snowbirds start their training every April and May in Comox at 19 Wing Canadian Forces base.
“They’ve been coming here for 52 years, every April and May. They come for six weeks. And we have basically had the pleasure of being able to see 33 mini air shows a day for the past 52 years above our skies here in Comox. They’re a really big part of our part of our community and kind of they visualize the Air Force Base that’s down on the ground where you get to see them performing the aerobatics,” says Comox Mayor Nicole Minions.
Minions expresses her disappointment with the grounding of the Snowbirds for now but is happy to hear they will return with modern planes.
“The planes we’ve known have been operating for six decades. We kind of knew that at some point in the next couple years that that there would be potentially this kind of pause. But I just found out in the last day or so that they will be taking that pause officially.”
Comox typically sees a little boost in tourism during the months of April and May in connection to the Snowbirds training time.
“We see more people going through the Air Force Museum and more people kind of going to like the coffee shops near the beaches,” says Minions.
The Snowbirds Canadair CT-114 Tutor first entered services with the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) as a jet trainer in 1963. Since 1971, the Snowbirds have used these planes to demonstrate air acrobatics across Canada and the U.S.
The Department of National Defence will procure the CT-157 Siskin II (Pilatus PC21) for the future Snowbirds team. They will serve as both a training and air demonstration aircraft. This will ensure that Canada continues its strong tradition of air demonstration capability with a modern fleet that will ultimately rebuild to the team’s distinctive nine-plane formation.
“For 55 years, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds have been a powerful symbol of excellence for Canadians at home and abroad. Their performances have brought Canadians together in moments of celebration and resilience, while showcasing the professionalism and dedication of the Canadian Armed Forces,” says David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence. “As the Royal Canadian Air Force advances its air and space modernization efforts, we remain firmly committed to a future air demonstration capability that continues this proud legacy.”
The Snowbirds will perform at the Abbotsford International Airshow from Aug. 7 to 9 and in White Rock on Aug. 12.
— With files from Raynaldo Suarez