Canadian Forces Snowbirds – CT-114 Tutor

Photo: Peter Handley

Gatineau celebrates the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force with the Snowbirds

The Canadian Forces (CF) Snowbirds, 431 Air Demonstration Squadron are a Canadian icon comprised of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members and National Defence Public Service employees.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are proud to uphold the legacy of military aviation excellence as Canada’s elite air demonstration team for over 53 years.

The Snowbirds signature nine jet precision formation flying is made possible thanks to a highly skilled and dedicated team of pilots, technicians, mobile support equipment operators, resource management support clerks, engineers, a logistics officer and a public affairs officer. Together, while serving as ambassadors, all members of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds showcase the skill, professionalism and teamwork inherent in all members of the Canadian Armed Forces.

The Snowbirds join us for the Friday night show!

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are based out of 15 Wing Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan and are composed of approximately 80 Canadian Armed Forces personnel.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds fly the CT-114 Tutor aircraft that was designed and built in Canada by Canadair as the Canadian Armed Forces primary jet trainer until it was replaced by the CT-155 Hawk and CT-156 Harvard II in 2000.

The single General Electric J85 jet engine produces 2,700 pounds of thrust which propels the relatively light aircraft to speeds of over 400 knots. The straight wing design creates a large amount of lift and the controls are finely tuned making it a “classic sports car”- of the air. Despite its age, with the exceptional maintenance it receives, the Tutor is the perfect platform to use as a formation aerobatic demonstration jet.

The Snowbirds were formed in 1971 and have flown the Tutor for 53 seasons, a testament to the Canadian-built design and our team of professional maintenance technicians.

The Snowbirds invite you to meet their dedicated team consisting of aerobatic show pilots and highly skilled maintainers showcasing their aviation expertise at Aero Gatineau-Ottawa.