www.thestar.com - RSS Results of type article
· collected 2026-09-06 · by Karon Liu
The Canadian Snowbirds jet team is retiring its aging fleet of CT-114 Tutor jets after this year's performances. The team has performed over 2,700 times throughout North America since 1971 and will conclude its scheduled public appearances at the Grey Cup in Calgary on November 15. According to Defense Minister David McGuinty, this marks the end of an era for the iconic aircraft, which were built in the 1960s. The team's performances will resume in the 2030s with a new fleet of jets, leaving fans and enthusiasts to bid farewell to the beloved CT-114 Tutor jets.
Written by the local model on 2026-09-07,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
The Snowbirds’ aging fleet of CT-114 Tutor jets is being retired after this year, ending the decades-long run of the iconic aircraft.
asserted
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.
asserted
team → have → Nov.
After that, the aerial team will be grounded until the 2030s, when a newer fleet will be used instead.
asserted
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.
asserted
show → ’re → meantime
For Duthie, the Snowbirds and the air show are tied to a lifetime of memories.
asserted
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.
asserted
dad → remember → weekend
“I’m 51 and I’ve been here for the past 50 years.”
asserted
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.
asserted
planes → whiz → counterparts
“They can do more maneuvers by going slower.
asserted
They → do → maneuvers
When you’re in the jets, you can feel like you can almost touch the other jets,” she said.
asserted
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.
asserted
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.
uncertain
that → announce → 1960s
Over the years, the old planes have gained a loyal fanbase.
asserted
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.
asserted
spectators → hold → jets
“They’re iconic to Canada.
asserted
They → ’re → Canada
The U.S. has the Blue Angels and the Thunderbirds.
asserted
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.
asserted
she → replace → lens
“They’re more elegant in their motion, you can see it when they fly with other jets.”
asserted
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.
asserted
who → become → stands
“To be here today reminds me of the passion and inspiration this can bring.
asserted
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.
asserted
who → ’m → her
Knowing what the pilots are going through in the air makes her able to appreciate the air show even more.
asserted
her → know → show
“When (in the plane), you’re fully concentrated and it’s a lot of trust, coordination and teamwork.
asserted
it → ’re → trust
It makes watching everything extra special.”
asserted
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.
asserted
he → live → area
He got to go up in one of the Snowbird planes in 2016.
asserted
He → get → 2016
“I’m a pretty decent flyer.
asserted
I → ’m → ?
The G-force and the dives feel so good.
asserted
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.
asserted
they → look → Toronto
It’s a chance to fine-tune things and to make sure the planes are going to be safe for everyone.”
asserted
going → ’ → everyone
