Snowbirds Cancel Moncton Area Performance

USPA NEWS - The Canadian Forces Snowbirds 431 Squadron is the military's air demonstration team whose mandate is to demonstrate skill, training and team spirit. The Squadron is based in Saskatchewan at 15 Wing CFB Moose Jaw. The Snowbirds consist of a fleet of Tudor CT-114 aircraft.

The Royal Canadian Air Force said in a June 24th statement, "The Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be unable to fly in planned airshows and fly pasts, until a technical issue is resolved that relates to a device that sets the timing for the deployment of the parachute during the ejection sequence. It is anticipated that upcoming performances in the Dieppe, Moncton and Riverview areas in New Brunswick on Wednesday, June 29, will need to be cancelled. The Snowbirds and the CAF teams are working hard to get the team back in the air for Canada Day, July 1, in Ottawa, ON."

Major-General Eric Kenny, Commander 1st Canadian Air Division, Royal Canadian Air Force said, “While it is certainly disappointing the Snowbirds anticipate they will need to cancel upcoming performances until this technical issue is resolved, I applaud our aviation technicians for discovering this issue. This speaks to our flight safety culture in the RCAF, and the professionalism of our maintainers. We have full confidence that this issue will be resolved in a safe manner, working with a third-party aviation contractor and our own technical and maintenance experts.”

It should be noted that an "operational pause" has not been implemented for the fleet of Tudor CT-114 jets as the mechanical issue is not with the aircraft itself, but rather affects a component of the life support equipment associated with the aircraft.

Over the last 50 years, the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds demonstration team have become a true Canadian Icon and the pride of a nation. Even with the challenges that the Snowbirds team has had to face over the last several years, they have returned to continue the tradition of bringing Canadians together while sharing their message of patriotism, professionalism, teamwork and goodwill. It is the hope that the 2022 air show season will bring the Snowbirds the best of luck, and safety as they continue to provide thrilling performances for audiences from coast to coast.