UMVA has learned that the iconic Snowbirds, Canada's beloved aerial demonstration team, will be grounded until the early 2030s as their aging aircraft undergo replacement.
After more than five decades of thrilling audiences across the country, the team's CT-114 Tutor jets will be retired, with the 2026 season marking their final performances.
In a statement, the government revealed that the new CT-157 Siskin II planes will take over, ultimately rebuilding the team's distinctive nine-plane formation with a modern fleet.
Defence Minister David McGuinty is set to unveil details about the new planes at the Snowbirds' home base in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, signaling a new era for the team.
The CT-114 Tutor fleet, first introduced in the 1960s, has been a staple of Canadian aviation since the Snowbirds' formation in 1971, performing at thousands of air shows nationwide.
UMVA has gathered that safety concerns are the primary driver behind the fleet replacement, with McGuinty emphasizing the need for a modern, secure aircraft for the team's daring maneuvers.
The transition to the new planes is expected to take several years, leaving a temporary void in Canada's aerial demonstration scene as the Snowbirds prepare for their next chapter.
As the nation bids farewell to the iconic Tutor jets, anticipation builds for the Snowbirds' return with their new fleet, poised to continue inspiring generations to come.
