Snowbirds (aerobatic team)

Snowbirds
Snowbirds logo
Active
  • 25 June 1971 – present (as Snowbirds)
  • 1 April 1978 – present (as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron)
CountryCanada
BranchRoyal Canadian Air Force
RoleAerobatic flight demonstration team
Size
  • 80 Canadian Forces personnel full time
  • 24 personnel in the show team
Part of15 Wing Moose Jaw
Garrison/HQCFB Moose Jaw
Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Motto(s)The Hatiten Ronteriios (Mohawk for 'warriors of the air')
ColorsWhite and red
Websitercaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/snowbirds/index.page Edit this at Wikidata
Commanders
Commanding OfficerLCol Denis Bandet[1]
Aircraft flown
Trainer11 CT-114 Tutors

The Snowbirds, officially known as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron (French: 431e Escadron de démonstration aérienne), are the military aerobatics flight demonstration team of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The team is based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The Snowbirds' official purpose is to "demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of Canadian Forces personnel".[2] The team also provides a public relations and recruiting role, and serves as an aerial ambassador for the Canadian Armed Forces.[3] The Snowbirds are the first Canadian air demonstration team to be designated as a squadron.[4]

The show team flies 11 CT-114 Tutors: nine for aerobatic performances, including two solo aircraft, and two spares, flown by the team coordinators. Additionally, 13 are maintained in storage.[5][6][7] Approximately 80 Canadian Forces personnel work with the squadron full-time; 24 personnel are in the show team that travels during the show season. The Snowbirds are the only major military aerobatics team that operates without a support aircraft.[8]

The Snowbirds continue the flying demonstration tradition of previous Canadian air force aerobatic teams, which include the Siskins, the Blue Devils, the Golden Hawks, and the Golden Centennaires.

  1. ^ R. Palmer (3 June 2020). "Snowbirds hold private change of command ceremony". Moosejaw Today. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
  2. ^ Dempsey 2002, p. 567.
  3. ^ Dempsey 2002, p. 684.
  4. ^ Dempsey 2002, p. 718.
  5. ^ Canadian Armed Forces (29 July 2019). "CT-114 Tutor". www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  6. ^ Canadian Armed Forces (13 October 2019). "CT1140071 Tutor - From the investigator". rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  7. ^ Canadian Armed Forces (17 May 2020). "One Canadian Military Member Killed One Injured in CF Snowbirds Accident". rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
  8. ^ Dempsey 2002, p. 659.