From the sounds of roaring engines, to the seemingly superhuman skill of the pilots—you never forget your first time watching the Snowbirds. As a young boy growing up in Surrey, Steve Timm watched the iconic Canadian military aerobatic team at the Abbotsford International Airshow, sparking an interest that has led to a career in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Fitting in a way that he is part of this particular squadron—now as Maj. Steve Timm—to take part in this weekend’s final Snowbird shows in the Fraser Valley featuring the iconic 1960s-era CT-114 Tutor jets. “With the Tutor and the Snowbirds travelling around inspiring Canadians for 55 years, Abbotsford’s the spot where, for me, I first had that light go on, and now it’s very special to be on the other side of that,” Timm told CTV News on Thursday before a practice flight. But getting that experience of watching Canada’s military aerobatic team is a limited time offer, with the Snowbirds set to be grounded in October until the 2030s—not long after this appearance in Abbotsford. The military is replacing the iconic but aging CT-114 Tutor with the CT-157 Siskin II. “Because it’s a bit slower and has a tighter turning radius than the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds south of the border, it’s a different kind of show,” Timm said of what helps the Tutor planes stand out during airshows. “Where we get to turn tighter in front of the crowd, stay in front of the crowd a lot, and perform a lot of loops and rolls. That’s something unique about it.” The Abbotsford International Airshow has been a part of the Snowbird story from the beginning, so it’s a fitting stop on this farewell tour. “The Snowbirds debuted here at Canada’s national air show in 1971,” said Jadene Mah with the airshow. “They are one of Canada’s most recognizable symbols and one that has had a deep impact on our community over the last 55 years.” The airshow runs from Friday through Sunday and limited tickets are still available. When this final tour for the Snowbirds in this particular aircraft is complete, the Snowbirds will fly again—but never like this.
