Fifty-five years after their formation, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds aerial demonstration team is set to fly its iconic red-and-white CT-114 Tutor jets for the final time on Sunday over Calgary’s McMahon Stadium during the 113th Grey Cup festivities, CBC reported.
Retiring a Fleet Risks Expertise Loss
- Aviation Legacy Value: The retirement of the CT-114 fleet closes a chapter in Canadian aerospace history, alongside private artifact preservation like Jesse Millington’s backyard Fokker F28.
- Herb Cross said that a multi-year hiatus leading up to the 2030s risks losing a lot of expertise as senior pilots age out.
The Final Flight Over McMahon Stadium
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds’ signature CT-114 Tutor jets are scheduled to grace the skies one last time on Sunday before being grounded permanently.
Aviation enthusiast Jesse Millington, coming from Foothills County, noted the deep cultural footprint of the squadron, telling CBC, “Through my entire life the Snowbirds have always just been there.” Millington added, “It’s one of the most Canadian things. It’s like hockey. You could say it’s like Tim Hortons and all the rest.” Millington also said, “I can’t wait for it. I was fortunate enough to see them out in Abbotsford this year, and I didn’t know if I’d get another chance to actually see them fly.”
The federal government announced in May that the CT-114 Tutor jets would be retired following the 2026 flying season, after far exceeding their intended lifespan. They are slated for replacement by Swiss-made CT-157 Siskin II planes, though those will not arrive until the 2030s at the earliest, according to CBC reporting from the Canadian International Air Show in Toronto.
The Weather Network outlined optimal viewing vantage points across Calgary for the final performance, including Mackowecki Hill overlooking McMahon Stadium, Nose Hill, and the SAIT/Jubilee Auditorium Parkade. The red-and-white fleet is scheduled to fly in formation from south to north just before kickoff before heading to CFB Trenton for formal retirement.
| Aircraft Fleet | Introduction Year | Retirement / Transition | Replacement Model |
|---|---|---|---|
| Canadair CT-114 Tutor | 1961 | November 2026 | CT-157 Siskin II / Pilatus PC-21 |
Pilots Reflect on Snowbird Legacy
Steve Sparks, who flies as Snowbird 6 and grew up playing football, expressed gratitude for anchoring the CFL championship flyover after years of dreaming about the Grey Cup. “From a young kid dreaming of playing in the Grey Cup one day, I get to do it a different way now,” Sparks told CBC.
The Snowbirds have flown overtop of Wascana Park. About 100 people stood and watched. @CJMENews pic.twitter.com/C1U0JIr9CG
Master Cpl. Triston Popescu, the squadron’s maintenance deputy crew chief, described the transition as bittersweet after working on the airframe for over a decade. “I’ve had a lot of memories, a lot of adventures, met a lot of amazing people, and actually performed in front of a lot of amazing venues and crowds,” Popescu told CBC.
“Going to a new aircraft later on is going to be a little bit of a transition for everybody, but I feel that’s the right direction.”
Herb Cross, following a final regional appearance, voiced concerns to 980 CJME about the long operational gap. “When you shut things down for five years, you can lose a lot of that expertise,” Cross said, pointing out how senior pilots naturally age out of the program.
Cross also stated, “I don’t think they should be flying those newer planes, the prop planes,” and added, “I don’t think they can do the same.” His wife, Bev Cross, told Gillian Massie/980 CJME outside the Regina Legislature Building that the final run was “history.” Bev Cross also said, “I’ve watched them every opportunity I had for many, many years, and this is bittersweet,” adding, “I felt that way when last week or a couple weeks ago, when we were in Moose Jaw, but this is the final run.”
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