The Snowbirds are the Canadian Military's popular precision flying team. These highly skilled pilots thrill airshow crowds all over North America.
Air shows are one of the most popular events of the summer. Young and old alike flock to the local airports or airfields and eyes raised to clear blue skies, thrill to the aerial displays of crop dusters, bi-planes and parachutists. But almost everyone in attendance, especially young girls and boys with aspirations of becoming jet pilots, will agree that the most eagerly awaited shows are those performed by the military jets. The Canadian Forces Air Demonstration Team, better known to audiences all across North America as the "Snowbirds", have wowed crowds with their precision flying for the past 30 years.
Formation flying teams have a long and illustrious history in the Canadian military. The "Siskins" and the "Golden Hawks" were two of the earliest precision flying teams, the first dating back to the 30's and both teams earning wide recognition. A team called the "The Golden Centennaires" was put together in 1967 to help celebrate Canada's 100th birthday. Piloting gold and blue CT-114 Tutor jets, they performed at air shows and centennial celebrations all across Canada and delighted crowds. But despite their appeal, they were disbanded at the end of the year.
Colonel O.B. Philp, former CO of the Centennaires, was sorry to see his team and the jets grounded after such a short, but successful run. Assigned as CO at Canadian Forces Base in Moose Jaw, Saskachewan, Philp quickly put together a new team of volunteers. Piloting 7 of the former 10 Centennaire jets, these enthusiastic flyers practiced when they could and by the summer of 1971, "The Snowbirds" flew their first demonstration at a local air show. They were a hit. More performances were forthcoming at the Canadian National Exhibition and also in Abbotsford, British Columbia, a city that hosts one of the biggest air shows in Canada. Public reaction to the Snowbirds and their aerial skills was very positive and continued to soar.
By 1975 the Snowbirds were no longer being piloted by volunteers but recruits from military bases from across Canada. The CT-114's color scheme changed from blue and gold to red, white and blue, the popular and eye-catching colors the jets still sport today. By now the precision team had flown in more than 100 air shows and their demand was only increasing. In 1976 they made their debut in the United States during bi-centennial celebrations in Philadelphia. Later that year the Snowbirds took part in ceremonies for the Summer Olympics in Montreal.
In the early 80's the number of jets in the Snowbirds formation was expanded to 9. Again, public reaction to this addition was very positive. By the end of that flying season they'd entertained an estimated 5 million spectators. But the crowning moment of the Snowbirds history thus far was yet to come. During the 1988 opening ceremonies of the Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, the Snowbirds thrilled an estimated world-wide live and television audience of around 2 billion.
Once they'd tucked that feather in their military caps, the Snowbirds performance schedule became even more hectic. After celebrating their 20th anniversary in 1990 the team was flying in up to 125 shows per season. By the end of 1999 they'd flown in well over 1500 air shows continent wide and before crowds estimated at over 8 million.
Becoming a member of the Snowbird team is no easy task. Canadian Forces pilots must have a minimum of 1300 hours of flying time logged in military jets. From the many applicants from across Canada, only 4 of the best pilots are recruited each year. A tour of duty with the Snowbirds lasts two years and half the team changes each year. In addition to the 11 required pilots, the squadron includes 1 logistics officer, 10 aircraft technicians, 1 supply technician, and 1 secretary -- a total of 24 people to assure everything within the team is running smoothly at all times.
The Snowbirds home base is still located at CFB Moose Jaw and when the team isn't away performing in shows from May to October, they can be found breaking sound barriers over their home base, or their alternate practice location of Comox, British Columbia.
The year 2000 marks the Snowbirds 30th anniversary and in celebrating this milestone the old adage of "the sky's the limit" seems appropriate. For the past 3 decades these highly skilled and daring Canadian Forces pilots have thrilled spectators with their dizzying aerial rolls, tight flying formations and creative smoke trails. The next 30 years will likely see Canada's popular precision flying team captivate not only millions of new air show enthusiasts but also the next generation of Snowbirds pilots.
