Minister announces Snowbirds are grounded after 2026, with new planes scheduled for the 'early 2030s'

OTTAWA — Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the Canadian Snowbirds, the fleet of planes that make up the Royal Canadian Air Force’s air demonstrations, will be grounded following the 2026 season.

“After more than six decades of service as both a trainer and demonstration aircraft, 2026 will mark the final season of the CT 114 Tutor aircraft fleet,” said McGuinty, during a press conference at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where the Snowbirds are based.

“And as Canadians gather over the next year to watch the Tutors fly one final time, we will also celebrate the generations of pilots, technicians, engineers, and support personnel who made the snowballs one of the most respected air teams in the world,” the defence minister added.

The Snowbirds first entered service in 1963 as a jet trainer for the RCAF, then became part of the air force’s air demonstrations starting in 1971. The Snowbirds received their name after a “Name the Team” contest was held at the local Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan base elementary school that same year.

Since its inception, the Snowbirds have performed over 2,700 air displays for over 140 million people.

RCAF Commander Lieutenant-General Jamie Speiser-Blanchet said that despite the millions of dollars invested in improvements to allow the planes’ lifespans to last until 2030, feasibility studies showed engineering challenges that required the aircraft to be retired three years earlier than anticipated.

The Department of National Defence intends to acquire CT-157 Siskin II, which are manufactured by Pilatus Aircraft Ltd in Stans, Switzerland.

The new planes are expected to become operational sometime in the “early 2030s.”

McGuinty did not specify which year the new Snowbirds will become operational, noting that discussions with the manufacturer are “ongoing” and the government’s new Defence Investment Agency will lead the negotiations.

The air demonstration squadron is comprised of 86 regular force, reserve force and public service personnel. McGuinty said these members will be reassigned to other duties.

Speaking to reporters during an announcement in Quebec, Prime Minister Mark Carney defended his government’s decision to ground the planes that are emblematic of Canadian identity and pride.

“We inherited a situation, or I inherited a situation where the planes literally had come to the end of their lives,” he said, during a press conference.

“The Snowbirds will continue, and new planes are being commissioned and will arrive,” he added.

The RCAF remains in a pilot shortage and the Snowbirds are often a good recruitment tool for the Canadian air force. The defence minister said recruitment overall in the Canadian Armed Forces is up 61 per cent from last year.

“We have every confidence that the Air Force will do what it has to do to be able to recruit and retain trainees to become pilots,” said McGuinty.

National Post

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