Snowbirds' Tutor jets to perform final hometown show before retirement

Canada's Snowbirds are set to perform their final hometown show in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, as their iconic CT-114 Tutor jets are retired from service. The aerial performers' current aircraft will be replaced by the CT-157 Siskin II, leading to a temporary grounding of the fleet after this summer to facilitate the procurement of the new planes.

“

This season is, quite frankly, pretty special. The best analogy I can find is watching your children go to university. One part of you is sad to see them leave, just like we’re going to be sad to see the Tutor leave. The positive side is we’re going to get new airplanes.

Lt.-Col. Guillaume Paquet, commanding officer of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, described the transition with a poignant analogy: "The best analogy I can find is watching your children go to university. One part of you is sad to see them leave, just like we’re going to be sad to see the Tutor leave." He added, "The positive side is we’re going to get new airplanes." Paquet emphasized the privilege of performing for the Moose Jaw community, which has supported the Snowbirds for 55 years.

“

is a privilege.

Former commanding officer Dan Dempsey, who flew with the Snowbirds in 1979 and 1980, highlighted their role in inspiring Canadians. "The legacy of the Snowbirds is what they provide to the country (as) an inspiration and pride," Dempsey said, calling the squad "unifiers." He cautioned about the potential loss of influence on younger generations if the Snowbirds were to disappear, stating, "Nobody flies the Canadian flag better than the Snowbirds or, most importantly, to as many locations as the Snowbirds. And if we lose the Snowbirds, we lose the capacity to influence young boys and girls at a young age."

“

The legacy of the Snowbirds is what they provide to the country (as) an inspiration and pride. Nobody flies the Canadian flag better than the Snowbirds or, most importantly, to as many locations as the Snowbirds. And if we lose the Snowbirds, we lose the capacity to influence young boys and girls at a young age.

Roger Blager, former Moose Jaw mayor and president of the city’s flying club, expressed optimism for the Snowbirds' future but admitted the decision to ground the fleet felt sudden. "To have the final thing come down as quickly as it did, it was a shock," Blager said, noting community speculation preceded the official announcement. He acknowledged the impact on the community and the mixed feelings residents have, stating, "I have absolute faith that they will come back, but most people around here don’t. There’s a lot of skepticism."

“

To have the final thing come down as quickly as it did, it was a shock.