The Royal Canadian Air Force will temporarily ground the Snowbirds flight demonstration team following the 2026 flight season [1].
This transition marks a significant shift for the elite squadron and the community of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, where the group is based. The pause is necessary to facilitate a fleet modernization that replaces jet engines with turboprop technology.
The federal government is retiring the CT-114 Tutor aircraft, which have been in service since the 1960s [2]. Officials said the move is intended to modernize the fleet with aircraft that are more recent and less expensive to maintain [3].
To replace the aging jets, the squadron will transition to the CT-157 Siskin II, also known as the Pilatus PC-21 [1]. These turboprop aircraft are designed to provide a more sustainable operational model for the military's public demonstration needs.
The announcement has caused concern in Moose Jaw, where the Snowbirds are a central part of the local identity and economy. The grounding will take effect in early autumn 2026 [1], leaving a gap in flight operations as the transition to the new aircraft occurs.
While the CT-114 Tutor jets provided the iconic smoke trails and precision maneuvers for decades, the cost of maintaining airframes from the 1960s [2] became unsustainable. The move to the CT-157 Siskin II [1] reflects a broader effort to reduce overhead costs while maintaining a visible military presence through aviation displays.
“The Royal Canadian Air Force will temporarily ground the Snowbirds flight demonstration team following the 2026 flight season.”
The shift from jet-powered Tutors to turboprop Siskins represents a pivot toward fiscal sustainability and operational longevity. By retiring airframes that date back to the 1960s, the Canadian government is prioritizing lower maintenance costs over the traditional jet-engine profile of the Snowbirds, potentially altering the visual nature of their public performances.
