Snowbirds demonstration squadron to pause flights after 2026 season

The turbo-prop Swiss-made CT-157 Siskin II has been selected as the replacement. The aircraft is already on order for the air force's initial pilot training program, and officials plan to add extra aircraft to the existing order.

Replacement timeline The announcement did not specify how long the transition will take. Officials indicated the Snowbirds could return to air shows in the early 2030s. During the downtime, the air force will continue to support air shows across the country, but it will likely have to draw from operational fleets.

Background on the decision Two years ago, a review of military equipment that had become difficult and costly to maintain included the Snowbird squadron. The CT-114 Tutor jets, in service since the 1960s, had received a life extension to 2021 and a more recent upgrade.