The Canadian Forces Snowbirds marked the end of an era on Friday, October 16, with their final home-closing air show using the iconic CT-114 Tutor aircraft at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. Aviation photographer Martin Gillet captured the occasion as the Royal Canadian Air Force’s aerobatic team prepared to say goodbye to the jets that have defined its performances for decades.
The performance, traditionally held to thank the families and friends who support the team throughout the season, was not open to the public. Canadians were nevertheless invited to watch the historic occasion through a livestream, allowing aviation enthusiasts across the country to share in the farewell.
The CT-114 Tutor entered Royal Canadian Air Force service in 1963 as a jet trainer, while the Snowbirds first took to the skies in formation in 1971. Since then, the aircraft have become synonymous with the team’s precision flying and distinctive red-and-white livery, representing Canadian military aviation at air shows across the country and internationally.
The 2026 season marks the end of the Tutors’ operational career with the Snowbirds. The aircraft are due to be replaced by the new CT-157 Siskin II, with the transition expected to leave the team without its usual air show performances for several years. The Snowbirds are expected to remain based at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, with a return to flying performances anticipated in the early 2030s.
Martin Gillet’s photographs document a significant moment in the history of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, bringing the Tutor era to a close while the team looks ahead to its next generation of aircraft.
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Photos: Martin Gillet