Misplaced Pages

Snowbirds
Snowbirds logo
Active	25 June 1971 – present (as Snowbirds) 1 April 1978 – present (as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron)
Country	Canada
Branch	Royal Canadian Air Force
Role	Aerobatic flight demonstration team
Size	80 Canadian Forces personnel full time 24 personnel in the show team
Part of	15 Wing Moose Jaw
Garrison/HQ	CFB Moose Jaw Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada
Motto(s)	The Hatiten Ronteriios (Mohawk for 'warriors of the air')
Colors	White and red
Website	rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca/en/snowbirds/index.page
Commanders
Commanding Officer	LCol Denis Bandet
Aircraft flown
Trainer	11 CT-114 Tutors

The Snowbirds, officially known as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron (French: 431 Escadron de démonstration aérienne), are the military aerobatics flight demonstration team of the Royal Canadian Air Force. The team is based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The Snowbirds' official purpose is to "demonstrate the skill, professionalism, and teamwork of Canadian Forces personnel". The team also provides a public relations and recruiting role, and serves as an aerial ambassador for the Canadian Armed Forces. The Snowbirds are the first Canadian air demonstration team to be designated as a squadron.

The show team flies 11 CT-114 Tutors: nine for aerobatic performances, including two solo aircraft, and two spares, flown by the team coordinators. Additionally, 13 are maintained in storage. Approximately 80 Canadian Forces personnel work with the squadron full-time; 24 personnel are in the show team that travels during the show season. The Snowbirds are the only major military aerobatics team that operates without a support aircraft.

The Snowbirds continue the flying demonstration tradition of previous Canadian air force aerobatic teams, which include the Siskins, the Blue Devils, the Golden Hawks, and the Golden Centennaires.

Squadron history

Second World War

Although 431 Air Demonstration Squadron was formed in 1978, its history truly began during the Second World War when, as part of the Commonwealth contribution to aircrew for the war in Europe, 431 (Iroquois) Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force was created under the control of RAF Bomber Command.

Number 431 Squadron formed on 11 November 1942, at RAF Burn (in North Yorkshire), flying Wellington B.X medium bombers with No. 4 Group RAF Bomber Command. The squadron moved to RAF Tholthorpe in mid-1943 as part of the move to bring all RCAF squadrons into one operational group – No. 6 Group RCAF – and converted to Halifax B.V four-engined heavy bombers. In December 1943 the squadron moved to RAF Croft where it was re-equipped with Halifax IIIs and later, Lancaster B.X aircraft. The squadron moved to RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, after the war, disbanding there on 5 September 1945.

Battle honours

• English Channel and North Sea, 1943–44
• Baltic, 1943–44
• Fortress Europe, 1943–44
• France and Germany, 1944–45
• Biscay Ports, 1943–44
• Ruhr, 1943–1945
• Berlin, 1943–44
• German ports, 1943–1945
• Normandy, 1944
• Rhine
• Biscay, 1943–44

Postwar

Squadron re-formed

No. 431 (Fighter) Squadron re-formed at RCAF Station Bagotville on 18 January 1954, using the new Canadair Sabre. The squadron was formed on a temporary basis until there were enough new CF-100s available to fulfill RCAF squadron needs. No. 431's duties included aerial combat training and displaying the capabilities of jet operations to the public at air shows, the largest being Operation Prairie Pacific: a 50-minute exhibition with aircraft from several squadrons that travelled to selected locations across western Canada. The team from No. 431 Squadron consisted of four Sabres and a solo aircraft. This was the first Sabre team to be authorized to perform formation aerobatics in Canada. The unit was disbanded on 1 October 1954.

2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School Formation Team

In 1969, Colonel O.B. Philp, base commander of CFB Moose Jaw and former commander of the defunct Golden Centennaires aerobatic team, considered using several of the leftover Golden Centennaire CT-114 Tutor aircraft for another team. These Tutors were still fitted for aerobatic flying and, because of some minor corrosion, had been painted with white anti-corrosive paint. Philp, at this point, did not receive approval to form the new team; however, approval had been given for single Tutors to provide simple flypasts at local football games.

To further the cause of an aerobatic team, Philp began informal enhanced formation practice for the instructors at 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School with the aim of providing multi-aircraft flypasts at special events. In 1970, four-aircraft formations began providing flypasts at fairs and festivals, as well as Armed Forces Day at CFB Moose Jaw. In July 1970, a white Tutor was introduced to the formation for flypasts. Four white Tutors were finally flown together at the Abbotsford Air Show, followed by a flypast in Winnipeg. Known as the "2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School Formation Team", or informally as the "Tutor Whites", the team grew in size to seven aircraft in 1971 using eleven pilots, and gradually gained recognition. Formation flypasts were replaced with more complicated manoeuvres, and more aircraft were added as the team matured.

New name and squadron reactivation

A contest to give the air demonstration team a formal name was held at Bushell Park Elementary School at CFB Moose Jaw, and resulted in the name "Snowbirds". The name reflected the aircraft's distinctive mostly-white paint scheme used at the time, connoted grace and beauty and was clearly linked to its Canadian origins. The name was formally adopted on 25 June 1971. The Snowbirds were officially authorized to be designated the "Canadian Forces Air Demonstration Team" on 15 January 1975, and was formed into its own squadron by reactivating 431 Squadron (renamed 431 Air Demonstration Squadron) on 1 April 1978.

The squadron badge has, since 1942, portrayed "an Iroquois' head adorned". In January 2021, the squadron began an initiative to remove this image from the badge.

Show routine

Formations and manoeuvres are designed each season by the team, and must be approved by the Canadian Forces, Transport Canada and the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to ensure safety guidelines are complied with. FAA approval is necessary since the team performs in the United States.

Three aerobatic shows are designed: a high show flown when weather is ideal, a low show and a flat show. The latter two are flown where some manoeuvres are not permitted because of cloud. A non-aerobatic show, or flypast, is also flown. Manoeuvres are arranged from those selected from the Standard Manoeuvre Manual. Some elements of the show are passed down from one season to the next. These include the Canada burst, heart, downward bomb burst, solo head on crosses, and their signature nine-abreast exit. Training occurs over several months. Once manoeuvres are mastered and the team is comfortable with the routine, the Snowbirds deploy to CFB Comox for specialized training. After approvals are obtained, an "acceptance show" is performed at Moose Jaw to allow representatives from the three approving agencies to see a live performance. The team will go on to perform shows throughout North America from May to October. The last show is performed at Moose Jaw.

Pilots typically stay with the Snowbirds for a maximum of three years, and one third of the pilots are replaced each year. Replacing pilots this way allows experienced members to train the new team members, which ensures that the Snowbirds' routines are consistent.

The Snowbirds were the first aerobatic team in the world to use music in their show, and music is often used with live commentary from the performing pilots.

The Snowbirds fly at speeds between 100 knots (190 km/h) and 320 knots (590 km/h), with a separation between aircraft of 1.8 metres (5.9 ft) in many of the formations. When two aircraft perform head-on passes, they aim to be about 10 metres (33 ft) apart.

Due to crashes in October 2019 and May 2020, restrictions were placed on shows beginning in 2021. To give pilots "more time to react", restrictions were placed on altitude and speed, and new rules were introduced concerning the minimum runway length permitted for Snowbird operations. Maintenance and inspections on the Tutors have also been increased.

Transportation of support material such as repair parts, luggage, and other equipment is provided by an 18-wheeler mobile support unit that follows the team across the country.

Awards, honours, and ambassadorships

• In 1982, Canada Post released a 17¢ stamp of an inverted Snowbird No. 5 with the airframe number 114155.
• On 8 June 1994, the Snowbirds were awarded the 1994 Belt of Orion Award for Excellence by Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame.
• On 16 October 1999, the squadron was presented their squadron colour for 25 years of service. During the same ceremony the team was presented the 1999 Golden Hawks Award by the Air Force Association of Canada for outstanding performance in the field of Canadian military aviation.
• In 2002, the Snowbirds were named ambassadors of the Ch.i.l.d. Foundation (Children with Intestinal and Liver Disorders Foundation).
• On 28 June 2006, Canada Post released two domestic rate (51¢) stamps to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the team. The Royal Canadian Mint jointly released a $5 silver commemorative coin.

Notable performances

• The first performance of the team with the new name of "Snowbirds" was on 11 July 1971 at their home base of CFB Moose Jaw during the Homecoming '71 Air Show.
• The first performance of the Snowbirds in a foreign country occurred on 27 November 1971 at Williams Air Force Base near Phoenix, Arizona.
• The first formal public performance that included opposing solos was flown at Yellowknife on 13 May 1972.
• The air show at Inuvik, Northwest Territories, in 1974 was the first time that an aerobatic team had performed at midnight (daylight conditions north of the Arctic Circle).
• The first official air show performed by the Snowbirds as 431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron was on 28 April 1978 at Royal Roads Military College, Victoria, British Columbia.
• The opening ceremonies at the Calgary 1988 Winter Olympics was the first time the Snowbirds used coloured smoke. The colours represented the five colours of the Olympic rings.
• In 1990, red smoke was incorporated into the Snowbirds' routine at major performances to commemorate the team's 20th anniversary and the silver anniversary of the Canadian flag.
• The Snowbirds' 1000th official air show was performed on 20 May 1990 at CFB Edmonton (Namao).
• The team performed for the first time outside of Canada and the United States in October 1993 at Zapopan Military Air Base near Guadalajara, Mexico.

Notable staff

• Lois Boyle (1932–2012): in her role as a civilian senior administrative assistant to several base commanders of CFB Moose Jaw, Boyle was closely involved in the birth of the Snowbirds and also helping them mature into the 1980s. For her years of dedication and support to the team she earned the title 'Mother of the Snowbirds', and her funeral ceremony was marked with an honorary flyover by seven Snowbird jets.

Incidents and fatalities

Incidents

Since the Snowbirds' first show in July 1971, there have been several incidents involving damage to airplanes, loss of airplanes, and loss of life. The following is a list of notable incidents only. There are other incidents, some involving loss of aircraft, that are not listed below.

Fatalities

Snowbird aircraft have been involved in several accidents, resulting in the deaths of seven pilots and two passengers and the loss of several aircraft. One pilot, Captain Wes Mackay, was killed in an automobile accident after a performance in Latrobe, Pennsylvania, in 1988. The RCAF commented: "... there is risk associated with formation flying. Flying by its very nature has an inherent element of risk. Eight Snowbird pilots have lost their lives in the performance of their duty. We remember them."

• 10 June 1972: Solo Captain Lloyd Waterer died after a wingtip collision with the other solo aircraft while performing an opposing solo manoeuvre at the Trenton Air Show at CFB Trenton, Ontario.
• 3 May 1978: Captain Gordon de Jong died at an air show in Grande Prairie, Alberta. The horizontal stabilizer failed, rendering the aircraft uncontrollable. Although pilot ejection was initiated, it was not successful.
• 3 September 1989: Captain Shane Antaya died after a midair collision during a demonstration at the Canadian International Air Show during the CNE in Toronto, Ontario, when his Tutor crashed into Lake Ontario. During the same accident, team commander Major Dan Dempsey safely ejected from his aircraft.
• 10 December 1998: Captain Michael VandenBos died in a midair collision during training near Moose Jaw.
• 10 December 2004: Captain Miles Selby died in a midair collision during training near Mossbank, Saskatchewan, while practising the co-loop manoeuvre. The other pilot, Captain Chuck Mallett, was thrown from his destroyed aircraft while still strapped into his seat. While tumbling towards the ground, he was able to unstrap, deploy his parachute and land with only minor injuries.
• 18 May 2007: Snowbird 2, Captain Shawn McCaughey fatally crashed during practice at Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls, Montana, due to a restraining strap malfunction.
• 9 October 2008: A Snowbird Tutor piloted by newly recruited team member Captain Bryan Mitchell with military photographer Sergeant Charles Senecal crashed, killing both, near the Snowbirds' home base of 15 Wing Moose Jaw while on a non-exhibition flight.
• 17 May 2020: A Snowbird Tutor crashed in Kamloops, British Columbia, during a cross-country tour called "Operation Inspiration", intended to "salute Canadians doing their part to fight the spread of COVID-19." Unit public affairs officer, Captain Jennifer Casey, died. The pilot, Captain Richard MacDougall, sustained serious injuries. The final report of the Directorate of Flight Safety concluded that "both occupants’ ejection sequences were outside of the ejection envelope."

Aircraft replacement

Due to the age of the Tutors (developed in the 1950s, first flown in 1960, and accepted by the RCAF in 1963), a 2003 Department of National Defence study recommended that the procurement process to replace the aircraft should begin immediately so the aircraft could be retired by 2010 because of obsolescence issues that would affect the aircraft's viability. The report mentions that "with each passing year, the technical, safety and financial risk associated with extending the Tutor into its fifth decade and beyond, will escalate". Some concerns include the inevitability of metal fatigue and parts failure, outdated ejection seats and antiquated avionics. There has also been criticism about the aircraft not being representative of a modern air force.

A 2008 review recommended that the Tutors' life could be extended to 2020 because of cost concerns related to purchasing new aircraft, and a 2015 report called "CT-114 Life Extension Beyond 2020", outlined planned upgrades to extend the life of the Tutor beyond 2020. These planned upgrades included replacing the ejection seats and wing components, and updating the brakes.

The Government of Canada had plans to replace the Tutors with new aircraft between 2026 and 2035 via the Snowbird Aircraft Replacement Project whose aim was "to satisfy the operational requirement to provide the mandated Government of Canada aerobatic air demonstration capability to Canadian and North American audiences". The preliminary estimated cost was $500 million to $1.5 billion. Official sources were quoted: "The chosen platform must be configurable to the 431 (AD) Squadron standard, including a smoke system, luggage capability and a unique paint scheme. The platform must also be interchangeable with the training fleet to ensure the hard demands of show performances can be distributed throughout the aircraft fleet." However, the Snowbird Aircraft Replacement Project was discontinued and replaced by the Tutor Life Extension Program implemented by a contractor (L3Harris) that is meant to extend the use of the Tutor fleet to 2030. The Tutors will receive modernized avionics to comply with regulations and permit the team to continue flying in North America. The Tutors’ escape system, which includes parachutes and harness will also be upgraded, and canopy designs will be assessed.

A 2024 decision by the Department of National Defence to consider retiring costly older equipment will affect the Snowbirds. The defence minister is concerned that the Tutor has finally “aged out” and mentioned that the aircraft is “well past its utility.” The minister is also concerned about safety issues. The government intends to keep the Snowbirds, albeit with better aircraft. The defence minister has asked the RCAF to start searching for a potential replacement aircraft and the Department of National Defence is in the process of "examining a number of capabilities".

References

Notes

1. R. Palmer (3 June 2020). "Snowbirds hold private change of command ceremony". Moosejaw Today. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
2. ^ Dempsey 2002, p. 567.
3. Dempsey 2002, p. 684.
4. Dempsey 2002, p. 718.
5. Canadian Armed Forces (29 July 2019). "CT-114 Tutor". www.rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
6. Canadian Armed Forces (13 October 2019). "CT1140071 Tutor - From the investigator". rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
7. Canadian Armed Forces (17 May 2020). "One Canadian Military Member Killed One Injured in CF Snowbirds Accident". rcaf-arc.forces.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 24 May 2020. Retrieved 24 May 2020.
8. Dempsey 2002, p. 659.
9. "Air of Authority – A History of RAF Organisation." Archived 2009-08-23 at the Wayback Machine rafweb.org. Retrieved: 20 May 2011.
10. Dempsey 2002, pp.91-95.
11. "Member Profiles". Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on 4 January 2018. Retrieved 3 January 2018.
12. "Snowbirds – Full History." Archived 2013-05-22 at the Wayback Machine RCAF. Retrieved: 15 March 2013.
13. "45 facts about the Snowbirds air demonstration team". Government of Canada National Defence. 20 November 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2023.
14. "431 Air Demonstration Squadron". www.canada.ca. 4 April 2019. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
15. "Snowbirds 'warriors of the air' squadron crest to get makeover - 680 NEWS". www.680news.com. Retrieved 20 July 2021.
16. "Snowbirds safety incident a factor behind air show cancellations". The Star, 18 May 2017 Retrieved: 28 August 2017
17. "FAQ: Snowbirds." Government of Canada, Royal Canadian Air Force, Retrieved: 4 September 2017
18. Dempsey 2002, p. 643.
19. "FAQ: Snowbirds." Government of Canada, Royal Canadian Air Force, 20 July 2015. Retrieved: 12 August 2015.
20. Military lifts order grounding Snowbirds team, some restrictions still in place. Global News. 24 August 2020. Retrieved 26 August 2020
21. "Snowbirds ready for weekend performances". TBNewswatch. 1 June 2023. Retrieved 18 June 2023.
22. Dempsey 2002, p. 540.
23. Dempsey 2002, p. 538
24. Dempsey 2002, p. 545.
25. Dempsey 2002, p. 552.
26. Dempsey 2002, p. 597.
27. Dempsey 2002, pp. 605, 606.
28. Dempsey 2002, p. 615.
29. Ewing-Weisz (2012).
30. ^ Dempsey 2002, p. 546.
31. Dempsey 2002, p. 550.
32. Dempsey 2002, p. 563.
33. "Two pilots rescued after jets collide." Spokesman Review, Spokane, Washington, 17 July 1977. Retrieved: 23 April 2014
34. ^ Dempsey 2002, p. 569.
35. "Snowbirds collide n mid-air; pilots escape serious injury." Ottawa Citizen, 18 June 1986. Retrieved: 22 November 2015.
36. ^ Dempsey 2002, p. 602.
37. ^ "A History of Snowbird Crashes." Canwest News Service. Retrieved: 23 April 2014.
38. Dempsey 2002, p. 622.
39. ^ "Snowbird crash, December 10, 1998 – investigation update." Archived 9 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine airforce.forces.gc.ca, 7 June 2010. Retrieved: 16 June 2010.
40. "Canadian Forces Flight Safety Report:CT114019 Tutor." airforce.forces.gc.ca, 27 February 1999. Retrieved: 7 April 2010. Archived 11 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine
41. "Canadian Forces Flight Safety Report:CT114172 Tutor and CT114006 Tutor." airforce.forces.gc.ca, 24 September 2000. Retrieved: 17 March 2014
42. "Canadian Forces Flight Safety Report:CT114142 Tutor." airforce.forces.gc.ca, 10 April 2001. Retrieved: 17 March 2014.
43. "Snowbirds collide, one crashes in Lake Erie" CBC News, 26 June 2001. Retrieved: 17 May 2020.
44. ^ "Canadian Forces Flight Safety Report: CT114173 / CT114064 Tutor". airforce.forces.gc.ca. 10 December 2004. Archived from the original on 10 August 2018. Retrieved 7 January 2017.
45. "Canadian Forces Flight Safety Report: CT114120 Tutor." airforce.forces.gc.ca, 24 August 2005. Retrieved: 17 March 2014.
46. Bridges, Holly. "Snowbird safely ejects, Flight Safety investigation continues, p. 12." Archived 16 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine Maple Leaf, Vol 8., No. 31. 8 September 2005 via airforce.forces.gc.ca. Retrieved: 16 June 2010.
47. ^ "Canadian Forces Flight Safety Report: CT114159 Tutor." airforce.forces.gc.ca, 18 May 2007. Retrieved: 17 March 2014.
48. ^ "Report findings on 2008 Snowbird Crash". Wings Magazine. 9 July 2010. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
49. ^ "Two dead in Snowbird jet crash in Saskatchewan". CTV News. 9 October 2008. Retrieved 2 April 2023.
50. "Snowbirds jet makes crash landing in Moose Jaw". CTV Regina. 1 March 2011. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
51. "Snowbird catches fire on runway after Nova Scotia airshow". CBC. 26 August 2017. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
52. Official Accident Report in Canadian Forces Snowbird October 2019 Crash Released
53. "Global News Story." Global News, 5 December 2019. Retrieved: 17 May 2020.
54. "Bird strike blamed in fatal crash of Canadian military Snowbird jet". CBC News. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
55. ^ Ross, Andrea (16 May 2020). "Canadian Forces Snowbirds jet crashes in Kamloops, B.C., killing 1, injuring another". CBC News. Archived from the original on 18 May 2020. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
56. Dickson, Courtney (2 August 2022). "Canadian Snowbird aircraft "incident" reported at northern B.C. airport". CBC News British Columbia.
57. Fedy-Macdonald, Dayna (21 September 2022). "Operational pause on Snowbirds lifted after cause of accident determined, but remaining 2022 performances cancelled". Skies Magazine. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
58. "Car Crash Kills Canadian Pilot, Injures Two Others". Associated Press News. AP News. 24 September 1988. Archived from the original on 2 June 2020. Retrieved 11 May 2024.
59. "Snowbirds – Tributes." Royal Canadian Air Force, Government of Canada, 9 February 2015. Retrieved: 12 August 2015.
60. Kelly, Alanna (17 May 2020). "Snowbirds plane crashes near Kamloops, B.C." CTV News. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
61. "Canadian Forces Snowbirds launch cross-Canada tour" (Press release). Royal Canadian Air Force. 29 April 2020. Retrieved 17 May 2020.
62. Flight Safety Investigation Report for Kamloops Snowbirds accident. Government of Canada. Retrieved 23 November 2021
63. Canadair CT-114 Tutor Retrieved 29 May 2020
64. Milberry 1984, p. 346.
65. Replace Snowbird Jets ‘Immediately,’ DND Told in 2003. The Globe and Mail. 25 April 2018. Retrieved 20 May 2020
66. Crash shows it's time to ground the Snowbirds' aging Tutor jets, experts say. CTV News. 18 May 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2021
67. Snowbirds were waiting for new ejection seats before deadly crash. Now DND won't say if gear was replaced. The Star. 29 May 2020. Retrieved 30 May 2020.
68. ^ Dempsey 2002, p. 694
69. Aircraft used by Snowbirds aerobatic team, on the go since 1963, will be kept flying until 2030. Saskatoon StarPhoenix. 13 May 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018
70. CT-114 Life Extension Beyond 2020 (archived). National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces Archived 15 March 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 30 May 2020
71. ^ "Snowbird Aircraft Replacement Project." Government of Canada, 12 August 2015. Retrieved: 12 March 2015.
72. ^ "Canadian military can't even seem to keep the Snowbirds from crashing". National Post. 12 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
73. Joetey Attariwala (3 April 2022). "Inside the RCAF's $600m fleet avionics upgrade". Key.Aero. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
74. David Pugliese (30 March 2021). "Government spending $30 million to keep Snowbirds aircraft flying until 2030". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 23 September 2022.
75. "Ottawa looking at retiring some older military equipment — including the Snowbird jets". CBC. 17 July 2024. Retrieved 8 August 2024.
76. "Ottawa exploring options to replace aging Snowbirds jets". CBC. 22 July 2024. Retrieved 13 August 2024.

Bibliography

• Dempsey, Daniel V. A Tradition of Excellence: Canada's Airshow Team Heritage. Victoria, British Columbia, Canada: High Flight Enterprises, 2002. ISBN 0968781705.
• Ewing-Weisz, Chris. "Lois Boyle was the ‘Mother of the Snowbirds’." The Globe and Mail, 17 January 2012, p. S8. Published online: 16 January 2012. Retrieved: 23 January 2012.
• Fast, Beverley G. Snowbirds: Flying High, Canada's Snowbirds Celebrate 25 Years. Saskatoon, SK: Lapel Marketing & Associates Inc., 1995. ISBN 0969932707.
• Milberry, Larry. Canada's Air Force At War And Peace, Volume 3. Toronto, ON: CANAV Books, 2000. ISBN 0921022123.
• Milberry, Larry, ed. Sixty Years – The RCAF and CF Air Command 1924–1984. Toronto: Canav Books, 1984. ISBN 0-9690703-4-9.
• Mummery, Robert. Snowbirds: Canada's Ambassadors of the Sky. Edmonton, Alberta, Canada: Reidmore Books, 1984. ISBN 0919091377.
• Rycquart, Barbara. The Snowbirds Story. London, Ontario, Canada: Third Eye, 1987. ISBN 0919581412.
• Sroka, Mike. Snowbirds: Behind The Scenes With Canada's Air Demonstration Team. Toronto, Ontario, Canada: Fifth House Publishers, 2006. ISBN 1894856864.

External links

• Canadian Forces Snowbirds (official site)
• 431 Squadron (Department of Defence – History and heritage) Archived 21 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
• Squadron history at Canadian Wings
• Watch a 1980 NFB vignette on the Snowbirds

v t e Modern aerobatic teams
Military Jet aircraft FAA Escuadrón Cruz del Sur BAF Belaya Rus RCAF Snowbirds PLAAF August 1st PLAAF Red Falcon EAF Silver Stars FiAF Midnight Hawks FAF Patrouille de France HAF F-16 Demo Team Zeus [de] IAF Surya Kiran TNI-AU Thunder IAF Frecce Tricolori JASDF Blue Impulse KAF Sunkar TUDM Smokey Bandits PAF Sherdils VVS Russian Knights VVS Swifts VVS Russian Falcons RSAF Saudi Falcons RSAF Black Knights ROKAF Black Eagles SpASF Patrulla Águila SWAF Team 60 SAF Patrouille Suisse ROCAF Thunder Tigers TUAF Türk Yıldızları TUAF SoloTürk UAEAF Al Fursan RAF Red Arrows USAF Thunderbirds USN Blue Angels Propeller aircraft RAAF Roulettes FAB Esquadrilha da Fumaça TUDB Alap-Alap Formation FACh Halcones PLAAF Sky Wing HRZ Wings of Storm TNI-AU Jupiter TNI-AL Neptunus IAF Aerobatic Team JMSDF White Arrows RJ Falcons FAM Escuadrilla Cuauhpopoca RMAF Marche Verte TUDM Kris Sakti RNZAF Black Falcons PLF Orlik SAAF Silver Falcons SAF PC-7 Team RTAF Blue Phoenix Rotorcraft PLAGF Thunder VVS Berkuts IAF Sarang TNI AU Dynamic Pegasus AoPLF Scorpions PoAF Rotores de Portugal SpASF Patrulla Aspa SAF Super Puma Display Team RAF Chinook Display Team RN Wildcat Demo Team
Disbanded military teams Jet aircraft RCAF Blue Devils RCAF Golden Centennaires RCAF Golden Hawks IN Sagar Pawan IIAF Golden Crown IAC Silver Swallows RNLAF Solo Display Team PAF Falcons PAF Paybills PAF Blue Diamonds PLF Team Iskry PoAF Asas de Portugal PoAF Dragões SAF Biele Albatrosy UAF Falcons RAF Black Arrows RAF Yellowjacks RAF Red Pelicans RN Simon's Sircus USN Air Barons / JRV/RVSCG Flying Stars Propeller aircraft RCAF Siskins FAF Cartouche Doré RNZAF Red Checkers Rotorcraft AAC Blue Eagles RN The Sharks
Civilian Jet aircraft Breitling Baltic Bees Flying Bulls Russ Patriots Starfighters Polaris Ghost Squadron Propeller aircraft Flying Bulls WeFly! Team Flying Lions P3 Flyers AeroSuperBatics Horsemen Skytypers Aeroshell Lima Lima
Disbanded civilian teams Propeller aircraft French Connection The Blades
List of air display teams

v t e Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons
Squadron numbers	Pre-WWII Squadrons 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 18 100-series squadrons 110 111 112 113 114 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 145 147 149 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 167 168 170 WW2 400-series Article XV squadrons 400 401 402 403 404 405 406 407 408 409 410 411 412 413 414 415 416 417 418 419 420 421 422 423 424 425 426 427 428 429 430 431 432 433 434 435 436 437 438 439 440 441 442 443 WW2 600-series AOP squadrons 664 665 666 Post-war squadrons 103 444 445 446 447 448 449 450
Squadron codes	WW2 Canada 1 August 1939 - May 1942 AY BK BT DM EX FD FY JY KA KO LT MX NA OP OY PB QN RE TM XE XO YO ZD Unit formation in 1940 - May 1942 AN BF GK GV LU PO QE TQ RA Dartmouth Hurricanes 1942 1 or 2 1 or 2 1 or 2 May 1942 - 16 October 1942 AE AF AG AN AZ BA BD BV DE DZ EA ED EN ET FG FN GA GR HA HJ JK KL LM LR LV LZ MA MK MR NO PQ QG RA RS SZ TF TN UV UY VD VW XP XY YA YH YZ ZM ZR WW2 Overseas 1940-1946 Operational squadrons AB AE AL AN AU AW BM BX 2I CI DB DG DH DN EE EQ 5V FD F3 6U GX G9 HU I8 9G KH KP KW LQ NA ND NH OW PT QB QL QO QY RA RR RU RV SE SP SW TH VR VZ WL YI YO YZ ZL ZU Z2 Transport squadrons OWL ODM ODN ODO Post-WW2 1947 - 1958 1947 - 1951 (VCXXA) AA AB AC AD AG AH AK AM AN AO AP AQ AT AU AW AX BA BC BN BQ BU XV 1951 - 1958 (XXnnn) AF AM AN AP AQ AS AX BA BB BH BQ BR BT BU BV DL FG GW HG HO IG JF JW KE KH LP MN NQ PF PR QP QT RX SA SP SV TF UD VN XK XV
Aircraft administered and serviced by the RCAF but manned by the Royal Canadian Artillery. Non-standard code as unit using OW added L. Letters normally denoted parent Command, aircraft type (L Liberator transport, D Dakota etc), unit, and individual aircraft. VCXXA where VC was the civil code used by the RCAF replacing CF-, XX was the unit code and A was the aircraft ID letter XXnnn where XX was the unit code and nnn was the last 3 digits of the serial number. Unit code was replaced with "RCAF" in 1958

• Canadian aerobatic teams
• Canadian Forces aircraft squadrons
• Royal Canadian Air Force squadrons
• Canadian ceremonial units
• National symbols of Canada