It’s an emotional time for the Snowbirds, as they wrap up their final season using Tutor jets. Low clouds and strong winds forced the Snowbirds to postpone a season-closing practice Thursday for family and friends. That flight over their Moose Jaw home base is now scheduled for Friday. Major Maciej Hatta, team lead with the Snowbirds, says the end of the era is a significant moment, given the aircraft’s long history. “It’s definitely sad, especially as we come towards the tail end of things this summer,” he said. “It’s not lost on us, the legacy of these airplanes flying, these jets flying for 55 seasons with the Snowbirds. That’s the longest I know of any aerial demonstration team keeping the same airplane, so it’s quite a legacy.” The Snowbirds will take a break until new turboprop aircraft are built and delivered in early 2030. Lieutenant-Colonel Guillaume Paquet, commanding officer of the Snowbirds, says there are still many uncertainties as the team prepares for the transition. “There are a lot of unknows at this point, other than the fact that we know exactly what airplane we’re going to be flying,” he said. “We’ll shift gears and start the planning process after the season.” The Snowbirds will wrap up their Tutor jet era with a weekend reunion for pilots and staff involved with the team over the past 55 years. The team will make one final flight in November during the Grey Cup game in Calgary.
