The Snowbirds’ aging fleet of CT-114 Tutor jets is being retired after this year, ending the decades-long run of the iconic aircraft.
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fleet → age → aircraft
The team has one more show in Toronto on Monday before continuing performances through the fall, culminating in its last scheduled public performance at the Grey Cup in Calgary on Nov. 15.
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team → have → Nov.
After that, the aerial team will be grounded until the 2030s, when a newer fleet will be used instead.
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fleet → ground → 2030s
“They’re such a staple in our show, they’re our finale,” said Lori Duthie, executive director of the Canadian International Air Show, adding that the show is working on finding a more international act to replace the Snowbirds in the meantime.
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show → ’re → meantime
For Duthie, the Snowbirds and the air show are tied to a lifetime of memories.
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Snowbirds → tie → memories
Her father, Don, was also previously in charge of the air show, and she remembers watching the skies while her dad was running around on duty over the Labour Day weekend.
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dad → remember → weekend
“I’m 51 and I’ve been here for the past 50 years.”
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I → ’m → years
As jets from other squadrons whiz past, some in linear formations, some leaving a trail of red-dyed smoke resembling cotton candy, Duthie remarks that the Snowbirds’ planes move slower than their American counterparts.
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planes → whiz → counterparts
“They can do more maneuvers by going slower.
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They → do → maneuvers
When you’re in the jets, you can feel like you can almost touch the other jets,” she said.
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she → ’re → jets
Since 1971, the Snowbirds, officially known as the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, have performed more than 2,700 times throughout North America at celebratory events such as Canada Day at Parliament Hill and the Grey Cup championships.
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Snowbirds → know → Hill
In May, Defence Minister David McGuinty announced this will be the last year the pilots will be flying the aging fleet of CT-114 Tutor jets that were originally built in the 1960s.
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that → announce → 1960s
Over the years, the old planes have gained a loyal fanbase.
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planes → gain → fanbase
At Marilyn Bell Park, where the official viewing area of the air show was held, spectators lined up at the merchandise booths, buying tees, pins, keychains, hats and mounted photos of the jets.
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spectators → hold → jets
“They’re iconic to Canada.
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They → ’re → Canada
The U.S. has the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds.
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U.S. → have → Angels
The (Snowbirds’) Tutors will never be replaced,” said aviation enthusiast Julia Parker, wearing a red t-shirt with the numbers 431 printed across the chest while she captures the planes with her camera’s telephoto lens.
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she → replace → lens
“They’re more elegant in their motion, you can see it when they fly with other jets.”
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they → ’re → jets
Former Snowbird Maryse Carmichael, who was the first female pilot with the Snowbirds in 2000 and later became the commanding officer, was also in the stands.
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who → become → stands
“To be here today reminds me of the passion and inspiration this can bring.
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this → remind → passion
I’m here to celebrate this team and the entire past members of the Snowbirds,” said Carmichael, who remembers seeing the Snowbirds as a kid in Quebec in the late ‘70s, inspiring her to become a pilot.
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who → ’m → her
Knowing what the pilots are going through in the air makes her able to appreciate the air show even more.
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her → know → show
“When (in the plane), you’re fully concentrated and it’s a lot of trust, coordination and teamwork.
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it → ’re → trust
It makes watching everything extra special.”
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watching → make → everything
Also in attendance was Toronto Argonauts legend Michael “Pinball” Clemons, who has been a fan of the air show since the ‘90s, when he lived and trained in the area.
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he → live → area
He got to go up in one of the Snowbird planes in 2016.
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He → get → 2016
“I’m a pretty decent flyer.
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I → ’m → ?
The G-force and the dives feel so good.
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force → feel → ?
Even though it doesn’t look like it, you feel really secure,” he said, adding that while this will be the last time the Snowbirds will be in Toronto, “we know they’re coming back.
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they → look → Toronto
It’s a chance to fine-tune things and to make sure the planes are going to be safe for everyone.”
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going → ’ → everyone
The Aporia
