On August 12, 2026, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds will soar above White Rock’s waterfront for what organizers say could be one of the last West Coast demonstrations of the iconic CT-114 Tutor. The free 45-minute show—kicking off around 5:30 p.m. over Semiahmoo Bay—marks a historic moment. It’s the team’s farewell tour before they’re grounded in the early 2030s, waiting for delivery of their new CT-157 Siskin II replacement aircraft.
Officially called “Wings Over White Rock,” the event launches during the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron’s 55th anniversary season. It’s also the first full-scale Snowbirds demonstration at the venue since COVID-19 shuttered public gatherings. Scott Harrold, a White Rock lifer with 30 years of Snowbirds history under his belt, says the show was booked well before the government’s May 2026 announcement that 2026 would be the final season for the Tutor jets.
“It was booked before the announcement,” Harrold told local media in May. He called the fleet’s retirement “kind of a turning the page on aviation history.”
Why This Show Matters Now
On May 19, 2026, Defence Minister Bill Blair announced the Canadian Forces would procure the Pilatus PC-21–based CT-157 Siskin II to replace the aging Tutors. The new aircraft enters service in the early 2030s. Starting in 2027, the 431 Squadron faces a temporary operational stand-down—effectively closing a 55-year chapter for the only aircraft the Snowbirds have ever flown.
Maintenance costs spiraled. Parts sourced from obsolete suppliers became impossible to find. Built in the 1960s, these Canadian-designed jets have completed over 2,700 air displays for more than 140 million spectators, yet structural fatigue and modern safety requirements have made continued operation impossible beyond 2026. The new Siskin II will be a propeller-driven turboprop—a striking visual shift from the jet-powered formations spectators have watched for generations.
What to Expect Over Semiahmoo Bay
Nine of the team’s eleven CT-114 Tutors will execute the Snowbirds’ signature choreography—precision formation flying interspersed with solo passes, all trailed by white smoke from the jets’ fuel-vaporization systems. The aircraft can reach 412 knots with smoke tanks loaded and will likely range between 100 and 320 knots during the demonstration.
White Rock carries deep meaning for the team. A commemorative plaque at the waterfront explains why: the Snowbirds consider the skies above Semiahmoo Bay ideal for demonstrations. The pier serves as a precise reference point for pilots executing maneuvers and maintaining formation geometry. Protected waters, clear sightlines, and stable air have made this venue a recurring stop.
The Broader 2026 Farewell Tour
White Rock is one of 24 confirmed appearances the Snowbirds will make between May and October 2026 across six Canadian provinces and three U.S. states. The season wraps October 10–11 with the California Capital Airshow in Sacramento. Vancouver Island gets skipped—making White Rock the last full mainland waterfront demonstration of the Tutor era in British Columbia.
Commanding Officer LCol Jean-Francois Dupont and public affairs officer Capt. Philip Rochon have stressed the emotional weight of this final season. Capt. Rochon called the Tutor “the classic sports car of the air”—a fitting epitaph for an aircraft that has defined Canadian air demonstration excellence since 1971.
Admission is free. No tickets required. Show up early to claim waterfront viewing along the pier and beachfront areas.
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