Snowbirds Will Perform Final Tutor Jet Airshow
The Royal Canadian Air Force will host a final display of the CT-114 Tutor jets on October 16, 2026.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Asthma
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On October 16, 2026, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will stage their final performance using CT-114 Tutor jets. The event marks the end of an era for the iconic aircraft before the team remains grounded until the early 2030s.
Why it matters
The transition marks a significant moment for Canadian aviation as the military retires the aging Tutor fleet in favour of newer aircraft. The move to replace these planes is necessary to modernize the fleet and ensure future operations can continue safely.
The CT-114 Tutor jets have been in service with the Snowbirds since 1971. The final public performance is scheduled to commence at 11 a.m. Pacific time.
The players
Canadian Forces Snowbirds
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are the military aerobatics flight demonstration team of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
Royal Canadian Air Force
The Royal Canadian Air Force is the air force of the Canadian Armed Forces and is responsible for all aircraft operations.
The details
The public can view the final flight via a digital livestream hosted on the official Royal Canadian Air Force, Canadian Armed Forces, and Canadian Forces Snowbirds Facebook pages. While the team remains based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, they traditionally conduct spring training sessions at 19 Wing Comox.
Timeline
The CT-114 Tutor aircraft entered service in 1971.
The federal government grounded the Snowbirds team in May 2026.
The final airshow with the Tutor jets occurs on October 16, 2026, at 11 a.m. Pacific time.
The Snowbirds are expected to return with new aircraft in the early 2030s.
Health Landscape
The final performance follows the federal government's grounding order of May 2026 which mandates the retirement of the aging fleet. This transition marks a departure from the long-standing use of the CT-114 Tutor jets.
The public can witness this historic aviation moment remotely through the provided Facebook livestreams. No in-person attendance is required to view the final performance on October 16, 2026.
The takeaway
The retirement of the CT-114 Tutor fleet represents a major modernization effort for the Canadian military. Enthusiasts can preserve the memory of these historic aircraft by tuning into the digital broadcast on the day of the final show.
Further reading
For more information on national health and safety updates, visit the Asthma section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by CHEK.
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