Final Ride Of The CT-114

The Canadair CT-114 Tutor has been a jet trainer that entered service in the Royal Canadian Air Force, then with the Canadian Forces in the 1960s. 

The Tutor is the jet used by the Snowbirds Demonstration team, the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, ever since the formation of the team. They use them to put on one heckuva stunning, nine-jet strong, demonstration of skilled acrobatic and formation precision flying.

Until now.

The last airshow featuring the Canadian Forces Snowbirds flying the CT-114 took this past weekend at the California Capital Air Show.

It is the end of an era. 

The Tutors are being retired due to age, and the Snowbirds are standing down, ending their era of flying jets.  

The jets will be replaced by CT-157 Siskin (Pilatus PC-21) prop trainers. 

The Snowbirds will not be fully re-equipped and returning to the air show circuit until at least 2030. 

Snowbird Down

A Canadian Forces CT-114 Tutor Aircraft of the Snowbirds Aerobatic team has gone down near Kamploops BC.

Global News: CF Snowbird crashes near Kamloops during B.C. stop of cross-Canada tour

There's video of the incident at the link

At least one of the occupants ejected from the aircraft, but there are unconfirmed report is that there is a fatality involved.

Here's to hoping that the report of a fatality is wrong.

Update: Sadly, it's confirmed that one of the team members has died in the crash and the other on board was seriously injured, but is expected to survive. A pilot and a team technician were on board. No names are being given out yet.

May there be a speedy and full recovery to the injured team member.

RIP to the lost Snowbird's team member in this crash, you were an inspiration and example of excellence not just to the people of Canada but also beyond its borders.

Further Update: It was just announced the lost team member was Captain Jenn Casey, the team's public affairs officer. The injured pilot is Captain Richard MacDougall.

Snowbirds' Tribute To Lost Thunderbirds Pilot

Major Stephen Del Bagno, Thunderbirds #4, was killed in a crash on April 4 during a training flight.

The Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds flew a tribute missing man formation for him on April 10:

A very classy and respectful move from an allied air force aerial demonstration team.

Snowbirds: Smoke On, Go!

Number 431 Squadron, The Canadian Forces Snowbirds Demonstration team, is one of the best aerobatics teams in the world. Flying the CT-114 Jet, the demonstration squadron travels across Canada and the US to show their flying prowess.

Putting up 9 planes in the air at once, its also one of the largest and most precise.

First the team taxied out in formation.

Then took-off in vics of three

Then after testing their smoke canisters and shaking their planes out, they got into formation.

Oh, the formation pictured? That's after they came out of a complete loop, done in formation.

Here's a shot of the inside of the loop descending.

Then the solos did some outstanding cross-overs:

They then decided to show how close two jets can get, cockpit to cockpit, and then roll.

Not to be outdone, 5 aircraft decided to do a big break

The full team then reassembled and did a Battle of Britain furball demonstration

Then they rejoined in formation and after a few more thrilling passes and cross-overs,that ended the demonstration.

Then it was time to land, again in vics of three.

To say it was an incredible display of aerobatic prowess and precision would be an understatement.