Snowbirds Ground Jets for Maintenance

The Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds have temporarily grounded their fleet of CT-114 Tutor jets for mandatory structural inspections, forcing cancellation of several upcoming demonstration appearances.

The stand-down, announced by National Defence headquarters in Ottawa, affects an aircraft type that has served as Canada’s demonstration platform since 1971. Officials emphasized the action is precautionary and follows the discovery of fatigue cracks in components during routine maintenance.

What’s Being Inspected

“During scheduled maintenance, technicians identified structural concerns in wing components that warrant fleet-wide inspection,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Denis O’Reilly, Snowbirds commanding officer. “Grounding the fleet is the responsible course of action until we can verify the airworthiness of every aircraft.”

The CT-114 Tutor first flew in 1960 and was designed as a jet trainer, not a demonstration aircraft. The Snowbirds’ high-G aerobatic routines place unique stresses on the airframes.

Specific inspection areas include:

• Wing spar attachment points
• Tail section structural members
• Engine mounting frameworks
• Landing gear attach points

Shows Affected

The grounding forces cancellation of at least three confirmed appearances:

• Abbotsford International Airshow (British Columbia)
• Atlantic Canada International Air Show (New Brunswick)
• Duluth Airshow (Minnesota)

“We deeply regret disappointing the communities and fans who were looking forward to seeing the team,” O’Reilly said. “Safety must always come first. We’ll do everything possible to return to the schedule as quickly as thorough inspections allow.”

An Aging Fleet Under Scrutiny

The Tutor fleet’s age has long concerned aviation observers. The aircraft entered RCAF service in 1963, making the airframes over 60 years old. While carefully maintained, the jets have accumulated significant stress from decades of demonstration flying.

“These aircraft were never designed for this mission profile,” said aviation analyst Martin Kay. “The Snowbirds perform maneuvers that impose stresses far beyond what the original engineers envisioned for a trainer. That takes a toll over decades.”

Canada has studied Tutor replacement for years but has not committed to a successor aircraft. Options have included the BAE Hawk, Aermacchi M-345, and even custom-built aerobatic aircraft.

What Happens Next

RCAF technical teams are conducting inspections at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, the Snowbirds’ home base. Each aircraft requires individual assessment, with some potentially needing component replacement before returning to flight status.

“We’re looking at a timeline of weeks, not days,” O’Reilly said. “Our maintainers are working around the clock, but we won’t rush this. These aircraft carry our pilots’ lives and represent Canada. Both deserve absolute diligence.”

Updates on the fleet’s status and schedule impacts will be posted at rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca.

A Beloved National Symbol

The Snowbirds have performed at thousands of events since their 1971 founding, becoming one of Canada’s most recognized national symbols. Their nine-aircraft formation and distinctive red, white, and blue color scheme draw crowds throughout North America.

The current grounding serves as another reminder that keeping vintage aircraft performing demands constant vigilance—and that the Tutor replacement decision grows more urgent with each passing year.