The Snowbirds’ hangar was bustling with activity, preparing for the last airshow featuring the CF-114 Tutor jets. Camouflage-clad personnel were busy cleaning and inspecting 11 of the iconic red, white, and blue aircraft that have served the Canadian Forces aerobatics team for many years. Lt-Col. Guillaume Paquet, the commanding officer of 431 Squadron in Moose Jaw, expressed that the upcoming performance, known as The Home Closer, holds special significance this year.
The event will evoke mixed emotions for pilots, staff, family members, special guests, and over 500 alumni expected to attend. While it marks the end of an era for the Snowbirds, it also signals a new beginning. Lt-Col. Paquet emphasized that while the Tutor’s retirement is imminent, the Snowbirds will return to the skies in a few years with different aircraft.
The Snowbirds have chosen the Swiss-made turbo-prop CT-157 Siskin II as the replacement for the Tutor, but these new planes are not expected to arrive until the early 2030s. To make the most of the current season, the team has participated in over 55 shows across nearly 40 different locations in Canada, along with close to 50 additional flybys of communities nationwide.
Despite high winds causing the cancellation of a final practice on Thursday, Snowbirds team leader Maj. Maciej Hatta remained optimistic, highlighting the historic significance of every flight this season. Maj. Hatta praised the Tutor’s legacy and performance, noting its agility and unique capabilities in aerial demonstrations.
Even after flying numerous aircraft as a test pilot, Maj. Hatta expressed his fondness for the Tutor due to its maneuverability and crowd-pleasing capabilities. The team’s farewell tour will be shared with the public through social media streaming, allowing fans to witness the Snowbirds’ final flight in the Tutor jets at the upcoming Grey Cup event in Calgary next month.