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The Wetaskiwin Airshow is proud to announce that the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will be the feature performers at the 2008 show. We are delighted, once again, to have this superb team visit our city and perform their spectacular aerobatic demonstrations for our audiences.
Mission
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds' mission is to represent the professionalism, dedication and teamwork of the Canadian Forces and to act as a platform for recruiting. The Snowbirds represent the values of esprit de corps, professionalism and service before self that are inherent in all members of the Canadian Forces. With their inspiring show, the Snowbirds also encourage young Canadians to consider a military career. Comprised of 85 Canadian Forces members, both Regular and Reserve Force, the
Snowbirds represent all men and women in Canada's military.
The Team
The Snowbirds consists of two teams, the home team and the show team. With nine show pilots, two coordinator pilots, the public affairs officer, 10 technicians, one supply technician and one mobile support equipment operator, the show team travels across North America, demonstrating the professionalism of the Canadian Forces with their inspiring show. The show team flies in 11 jets and travels in the Snowbirds’ mobile support vehicle, bringing their show to both large and small communities.
While the show team is deployed, the home team, led by the Snowbirds' Deputy Commanding Officer, provides support to the deployed elements, continues training and ensures that the aircraft are flawlessly maintained. In the Snowbirds 35-year history, the team has never missed a show due to mechanical problems, a testament to the dedication and skill of the technicians.
The History
With its roots beginning with the Golden Centennaires, an air demonstration team that performed in honour of Canada's Centennial in 1967, the Snowbirds have a proud and inspiring history of professional service to Canada. The Snowbirds received their name as a result of a contest held at the Base Elementary School and flew for the first time on July 11, 1971 at the Saskatchewan Homecoming Airshow. As a tribute to their home province, Saskatchewan, the Snowbirds’ crest displays four speed birds, in formation,
resembling an ear of wheat. The speed bird is also shown on the bottom of each Snowbird aircraft.
Military Experience
The Snowbirds are the only jet team in North America to perform with nine jets flying in close formation. Requiring the highest degree of piloting skill, the show pilots have on average 15 years of military experience and thousands of hours flying various aircraft in the Canadian Forces. Similarly, the Snowbird technicians are not only highly skilled and well trained, but they also demonstrate remarkable dedication and spirit of teamwork. Team members come from various military backgrounds and experience, including maritime patrol, maritime helicopter, tactical aviation, tactical fighter, transport and search and rescue squadrons.
The Tryouts and Training Season
Before the show is performed in front of the North American audience, the team undergoes extremely selective tryouts and an intense training season. Every year, the Snowbirds accept three new show pilots to the team. During the 2-week tryouts, which conclude in November, the pilots are evaluated on their formation flying proficiency. The training season begins in October and concludes in May, with two to three practices per day. This extremely demanding training program is not only strenuous for the pilots, but also for the technicians who work an average of 12 hours per day, ensuring that the Squadron’s aircraft are ready to fly this grueling flight schedule. The Snowbirds deploy from their home base of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, for about 6 months where they travel across Canada and the United States performing in airshows and civic events.
For the team members, the privilege of meeting Canadians and Americans is one of the best parts of the job. While deployed, the Snowbirds not only perform in airshows, but they also participate in a variety of community activities, including school and hospital visits.
The Show
During the show, the pilots fly at speeds ranging from 200 to 320 knots and in formation with distances as close as 4-feet of wing overlap. Comprised of exciting loops, rolls and solo passes as well as graceful 9-jet formations, the Snowbirds’ show is both thrilling and beautiful. With more than 50 different formations and maneuvers in their 35-minute show, the Snowbirds’ performance is evocative and inspiring. With firework-like bursts, solo passes with closing speeds of 1,000 km/hr and graceful 9-plane formations, the show is inspiring for all. To compliment the aerobatic excellence is a selection of
music, compiled by Snowbird 9, as well as an informative narration by Snowbird 10 and 11.
Information courtesy of Air Force Public Affairs, Government of Canada.
Visit the official website of the Snowbirds at: www.snowbirds.dnd.ca
