Duty Calls
Canadian Forces Snowbirds jets to cleared to return home to 15 Wing Moose Jaw
Ambar SyedYesterday the Canadian Armed Forces confirmed, ten of the CT-114 Tutor jets flown by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be returning home from Georgia. The aircraft will be flying back to Moose Jaw starting this week.
Since Snowbird 5 was forced to eject prior to a show at the Atlanta Speedway on October 13th, 2019, the Snowbirds have been on an operational pause.
Captain Kevin Domon-Grenier sustained minor injuries and was taken to hospital as a precaution following the incident.
As a result of the crash, the Snowbirds cancelled their final show of the season in Houston, Texas, which was scheduled to take place the weekend following the accident.
The Thunderbirds and The Canadian Forces Snowbirds perform a practice run on October 12, 2017 for the Gowen Thunder Open House and Airshow at Gowen Field in Boise, Idaho. This was the first time in history that the Thunderbirds and Snowbirds have appeared together at Gowen Field.
(U.S. Air National Guard photo by Airman 1st Class Mercedee Schwartz)
After investigation, the Royal Canadian Air Force is now confident that the CT-114 Tutors are able to be safely flown back home to 15 Wing Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan. The jets are currently parked at Falcon Field in Peachtree City, Georgia.
Commanding Officer of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, Lieutenant-Colonel Mike French, has said, “When flying air demonstrations, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds operate in tight formation, conducting loops and rolls in our signature formation.”
“At this point, we have received enough information from investigators to resume wings-level flight in order to return our jets to our home base. However, we need to let the investigators continue to work before we resume full operations,” he added.
Another operational risk assessment is scheduled to be conducted before any further aerobatic training flights.
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds usually spend the winter months training for the upcoming season.
Approximately 80 training missions occur before spring training in Comox, British Columbia, in order to prepare for the upcoming season.
However, the annual spring training in Comox, British Columbia, is said to be delayed by at least a month.
The Snowbirds 2020 schedule has not been released as it is not clear at this time.
