VancouverMETRO VANCOUVER NEWS
Snowbirds complete final Vancouver Island show before years-long grounding
An estimated 25,000 people watched the Canadian Forces Snowbirds perform along Victoria’s Dallas Road before the Tutor jets are grounded until the early 2030s.
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds have made their final appearance over Vancouver Island, drawing an estimated 25,000 spectators to Victoria’s Dallas Road waterfront Tuesday evening.
The military aerobatic team’s Tutor jets are scheduled to be grounded by mid-October until the early 2030s. The federal government is replacing the aging aircraft with CT-157 Siskin II turboprop trainers designed for high-performance flying.
Former Snowbirds commanding officer retired lieutenant-colonel Dan Dempsey said the team has long represented the Canadian flag in the sky and that the hiatus will be a nostalgic moment for many Canadians.
The crowd also created substantial traffic delays, with some short drives taking more than an hour. The team’s final show is scheduled for Oct. 11 in Sacramento, Calif.