Canada's Snowbirds
Posted 12-13-2004 at 01:52 AM
They are a familiar sight on Canada Day and a thrilling spectacle at air shows. But the Snowbirds, Canada's aerobatic flying team, have an uncertain future. The Snowbirds are faced with obsolete aircraft and a shrinking defence budget, not to mention persistent rumours that the entire squadron may be scrapped.
The history of the demonstration flying team begins in 1967. Several Royal Canadian Air Force training jets ? CT-114 Tutors, the same model today's Snowbirds use ? were repainted and became the aircraft for the Golden Centennaires, who performed at ceremonies commemorating Canada's centennial year. The Centennaires disbanded after the 1967 season.
The commanding officer of the Centainnaires, Col. O.B. Philp, established an unofficial formation flying team at CFB Moose Jaw in 1971. They were named the Snowbirds through a contest held at the base's elementary school and first flew under that name in July 1971.
In 1974, the Snowbirds were cleared to perform aerobatic displays and adopted their familiar red, white and blue colour scheme. In 1975, they became a separate unit, but were still not a permanent part of the Armed Forces. The following year, with their popularity soaring, the Snowbirds performed at bicentennial celebrations in the United States and at the Montreal Olympics.
In 1977, the Snowbirds became a permanent unit and were designated the 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron the following year.
The Snowbirds are often praised as a source of pride for Canadians and as ambassadors for the Canadian Forces. But the future of the squadron is by no means certain.
The Canadian Forces stopped using the Tutor jets for training purposes in 2000. The Snowbird squadron had to be expanded for the 2001 season to include a dedicated maintenance crew for the Tutors. But the Canadian Forces, with its aging fighter aircraft and helicopters, is faced with a 20 per cent cut to its budget. It says it's focusing on "core combat capabilities," and the Snowbirds are one of the squadrons facing elimination.
But the idea of disbanding the Snowbirds is so unpopular that, in 1999, a general designated to talk about the issue asked that his name and picture not be used in the media. At the time, Prime Minister Jean Chr?tien said that the Canadian Forces only announced that the popular Snowbirds would be cut because it knew there would be a public outcry.
Even if the Snowbirds survive the budget cuts, they'll still be flying obsolete aircraft for the next several years. In December 2002, Col. Dave Burt, the officer in charge of buying new aircraft for the Canadian Forces, said he's in no hurry to replace the Tutors and said they'll be able to fly safely until 2020.
Aviation author and former Snowbird pilot Dan Dempsey said there's no point in having an air demonstration squad that performs in aircraft that only they use.
Canada's Snowbirds
Excerpted from CBC.ca
They are a familiar sight on Canada Day and a thrilling spectacle at air shows. But the Snowbirds, Canada's aerobatic flying team, have an uncertain future. The Snowbirds are faced with obsolete aircraft and a shrinking defence budget, not to mention persistent rumours that the entire squadron may be scrapped.
The history of the demonstration flying team begins in 1967. Several Royal Canadian Air Force training jets ? CT-114 Tutors, the same model today's Snowbirds use ? were repainted and became the aircraft for the Golden Centennaires, who performed at ceremonies commemorating Canada's centennial year. The Centennaires disbanded after the 1967 season.
The commanding officer of the Centainnaires, Col. O.B. Philp, established an unofficial formation flying team at CFB Moose Jaw in 1971. They were named the Snowbirds through a contest held at the base's elementary school and first flew under that name in July 1971.
In 1974, the Snowbirds were cleared to perform aerobatic displays and adopted their familiar red, white and blue colour scheme. In 1975, they became a separate unit, but were still not a permanent part of the Armed Forces. The following year, with their popularity soaring, the Snowbirds performed at bicentennial celebrations in the United States and at the Montreal Olympics.
In 1977, the Snowbirds became a permanent unit and were designated the 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron the following year.
The Snowbirds are often praised as a source of pride for Canadians and as ambassadors for the Canadian Forces. But the future of the squadron is by no means certain.
The Canadian Forces stopped using the Tutor jets for training purposes in 2000. The Snowbird squadron had to be expanded for the 2001 season to include a dedicated maintenance crew for the Tutors. But the Canadian Forces, with its aging fighter aircraft and helicopters, is faced with a 20 per cent cut to its budget. It says it's focusing on "core combat capabilities," and the Snowbirds are one of the squadrons facing elimination.
But the idea of disbanding the Snowbirds is so unpopular that, in 1999, a general designated to talk about the issue asked that his name and picture not be used in the media. At the time, Prime Minister Jean Chr?tien said that the Canadian Forces only announced that the popular Snowbirds would be cut because it knew there would be a public outcry.
Even if the Snowbirds survive the budget cuts, they'll still be flying obsolete aircraft for the next several years. In December 2002, Col. Dave Burt, the officer in charge of buying new aircraft for the Canadian Forces, said he's in no hurry to replace the Tutors and said they'll be able to fly safely until 2020.
Aviation author and former Snowbird pilot Dan Dempsey said there's no point in having an air demonstration squad that performs in aircraft that only they use.
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