Snowbirds set to fly iconic jets for last time this weekend

Fifty-five years after the team’s formation, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds’ iconic jets will grace the skies one last time.

The aerobatics team’s CT-114 Tutor jets are set to fly over Calgary’s McMahon Stadium on Sunday as part of the 113th Grey Cup festivities, before being grounded permanently.

Aviation enthusiast Jesse Millington wouldn’t miss the legendary squadron’s final flight for the world.

“I can’t wait for it. I was fortunate enough to see them out in Abbotsford this year, and I didn’t know if I’d get another chance to actually see them fly,” said Millington, who’s coming to Calgary from Foothills County for the event.

“Through my entire life the Snowbirds have always just been there,” Millington said.

WATCH | He parked this plane in his backyard to preserve Alberta’s aviation history:

He parked this plane in his backyard to preserve Alberta’s aviation history

Jesse Millington, an aviation enthusiast, has an old Fokker F28 parked in his yard outside of Okotoks. It’s part of a larger effort of honouring and preserving southern Alberta’s aviation history.

The CAF ordered the team’s signature CT-114 Tutor jets as training aircraft in 1961.

Since then, they’ve been used in performances across North America. 

“It’s one of the most Canadian things,” Millington said. “It’s like hockey. You could say it’s like Tim Hortons and all the rest.”

The federal government announced in May that the CT-114 Tutor jets would be retired after the 2026 flying season. They’re set to be replaced by Swiss-made CT-157 Siskin II planes, but those won’t be here until the 2030s at the earliest. 

A file photo of a CT-114 Tutor jet used by the Canadian Forces Snowbirds. (Tom Ayers/CBC)

Millington says he has “mixed emotions” on this being the last flight of the Snowbirds, but he’s glad he and fellow aviation enthusiasts — both in Calgary and tuning in virtually from around the world — will get to experience the historic occasion.

“The best part is that they’re going out in a very Canadian style and lots of people get to see this,” he said.

Snowbirds crew members look ahead

Maj. Steve Sparks, who flies with the squadron as Snowbird 6, says the final flight on Sunday will be an emotional one.

“I felt it a few times this season in flights, knowing that it’s coming to an end,” he said.

Sparks, who grew up playing football, says he’s grateful to be part of the Canadian Football League championship festivities in Calgary.

“From a young kid dreaming of playing in the Grey Cup one day, I get to do it a different way now,” Sparks said.

Canadian Forces Snowbirds members Master Cpl. Triston Popescu, left, and Maj. Steve Sparks on Nov. 13, 2026. (CBC)

Master Cpl. Triston Popescu, the squadron’s maintenance deputy crew chief, says the moment “is bittersweet” but the future is bright.

“I’ve had a lot of memories, a lot of adventures, met a lot of amazing people, and actually performed in front of a lot of amazing venues and crowds,” he said.

WATCH | Snowbirds take their final flight over Toronto until the 2030s:

Snowbirds take their final flight over Toronto until the 2030s at annual air show

The 77th Canadian International Air Show at this year’s CNE marks the final Toronto appearance of the iconic Snowbirds. The nine-jet aerobatics team is set to be replaced in the 2030s at the earliest, after far exceeding their intended lifespan. CBC’s Tyler Cheese was at the airshow and spoke to attendees about what this last flight means to them.

Popescu says transitioning to the new plane model is part of what makes the moment so bittersweet, as he’s been working with the current model for more than a decade.

“Going to a new aircraft later on is going to be a little bit of a transition for everybody, but I feel that’s the right direction,” he said.