Canadian Forces 431 Air Demonstration Squadron

Snowbird solo aircraft performing the head-on cross manoeuvre at about 1100 km/h combined closing speed.
Country:	Canada
Aircraft Currently Flown:	11 CT-114 Tutors
Sponsor:	Canadian Forces
Alias:	Snowbirds
Base Airport:	CFB Moose Jaw
Colours:	White and Red
Date Formed:	1 April 1978
Crest/Logo:

Officially known as the Canadian Forces 431 Air Demonstration Squadron, the Snowbirds are Canada's military aerobatics or airshow flight demonstration team. Unlike the United States' Blue Angels and Thunderbirds, the Snowbirds perform with nine airplanes, which give them more variations in formation and flying patterns. Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... The Canadian Canadair CL-41, designated the CT-114 Tutor in RCAF and the later unified Canadian Forces use, is a jet trainer aircraft. ... April 1 is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 274 days remaining. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ... Image File history File linksMetadata No higher resolution available. ... The Canadian Forces (French: Forces canadiennes), abbreviated as CF (French: FC), are the combined armed forces of Canada. ... Soon after aircraft were invented, pilots realised that they could be used as part of a flying circus to entertain people or impress others in what was termed aerobatics. ... The UK Utterly Butterly wing-walking display team flying Boeing Stearman PT-17 biplanes An airshow is an event at which aviators display their flying skills and the capabilities of their flying machines to the crowd. ... The United States Navys Blue Angels (or Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron), formed in 1946, is the worlds first officially sanctioned military aerial demonstration team. ... Thunderbirds Squadron ensign The USAF Thunderbirds perform an echelon pass. ...

CT-114 Tutor of the Snowbirds

The 431 Air Demonstration Squadron is under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Forces Air Command. Approximately 80 Canadian Forces personnel work with the squadron full-time; 24 personnel comprise the show team that travels during the show season. The show team currently flies 11 CT-114 Tutors — nine for aerobatic performances, including two solo aircraft and two as spares, flown by the team coordinators. The Snowbirds have flown for over 100 million spectators across North America. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 399 pixel Image in higher resolution (2247 × 1121 pixel, file size: 771 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) CT-114 Tutor of the Canadian Snowbirds aerobatics team. ... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 399 pixel Image in higher resolution (2247 × 1121 pixel, file size: 771 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) CT-114 Tutor of the Canadian Snowbirds aerobatics team. ... CF-18 off the coast Hawaii CH-124 Sea King CH-149 Cormorant CC-115 Buffalo Canadian Forces Air Command (AIRCOM) is the air force element of the Canadian Forces. ... The Canadian Canadair CL-41, designated the CT-114 Tutor in RCAF and the later unified Canadian Forces use, is a jet trainer aircraft. ... World map showing North America A satellite composite image of North America. ...

History

On 11 November 1942, 431 (Bomber) Squadron was formed at Burn, England. During the Second World War, the squadron flew bombing operations from bases in England using Vickers Wellington, Handley Page Halifax, and Avro Lancaster aircraft. The squadron moved to RCAF Station Dartmouth, Nova Scotia after the war, disbanding there on 5 September 1945. November 11 is the 315th day of the year (316th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 50 days remaining. ... 1942 (MCMXLII) was a common year starting on January 18 1815 (the link is to a full 1942 calendar). ... Combatants Allied powers: China France Great Britain Soviet Union United States and others Axis powers: Germany Italy Japan and others Commanders Chiang Kai-shek Charles de Gaulle Winston Churchill Joseph Stalin Franklin Roosevelt Adolf Hitler Benito Mussolini Hideki Tōjō Casualties Military dead: 17,000,000 Civilian dead: 33,000... The Vickers Wellington was a twin-engine, medium bomber designed in the mid-1930s at Brooklands in Weybridge, Surrey, by Vickers-Armstrongs Chief Designer, R.K. Pierson. ... The Handley Page Halifax was one of the British front-line, four-engine heavy bombers of the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. ... The Avro Lancaster was a British four-engine Second World War bomber aircraft made initially by Avro for the British Royal Air Force (RAF). ... Canadian Forces Base Shearwater (CFB Shearwater) is a Canadian Forces base located in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia on the eastern shore of Halifax harbour. ... Motto: Munit Haec et Altera Vincit(Latin) One defends and the other conquers BC AB SK MB ON QC NB PE NS NL YT NT NU Capital Halifax Largest city Halifax Regional Municipality Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor Mayann E. Francis - Premier Rodney MacDonald (PC) Federal representation in Canadian... September 5 is the 248th day of the year (249th in leap years). ... 1945 (MCMXLV) was a common year starting on Monday. ...

Battle honours

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

Six years later, 431 (Fighter) Squadron re-formed at RCAF Station Bagotville on 18 January 1954, to display the capabilities of the new F-86 Sabre to the public at airshows until it was disbanded on 1 October 1954. Canadian Forces Base Bagotville (IATA: YBG, ICAO: CYBG) (also CFB Bagotville), is a Canadian Forces Base located approximately 4. ... January 18 is the 18th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1954: Events January January 10 - a BOAC de Havilland Comet crashes into the Mediterranean Sea near Elba with the loss of all 35 people aboard. ... The Canadair Sabre was a fighter jet built by Canadair Ltd. ... October 1 is the 274th day of the year (275th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1954 (MCMLIV) was a common year starting on Friday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The Snowbirds in formation over Toronto in 2005

In 1969, Colonel O.B. Philp, former leader of the Golden Centennaires aerobatic team obtained permission to use seven of the leftover CT-114 Tutor aircraft still fitted for aerobatic flying. Philp and three others from 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School began unofficially training for aerobatic flight at CFB Moose Jaw and performing at shows around the country. Known as the 2 Canadian Forces Flying Training School Formation Team, or 2CFFTS, the team grew in size and gained recognition but remained unofficial until it was formed into the separate 431 Air Demonstration Squadron on 1 April 1978. A contest at the base elementary school chose the name Snowbirds because of the aircraft's distinctive white paint scheme. Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 460 pixel Image in higher resolution (2144 × 1232 pixel, file size: 652 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Snowbirds Metadata This... Image File history File linksMetadata Size of this preview: 800 × 460 pixel Image in higher resolution (2144 × 1232 pixel, file size: 652 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Snowbirds Metadata This... This is a list of aviation-related events from Canadian Snowbirds aerobatic team is formed. ... Colonel (IPA: or ) is a military rank of a commissioned officer, with the corresponding ranks existing in nearly every country in the world. ... Categories: Aircraft stubs | Aerobatic teams ... Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw (also CFB Moose Jaw or 15 Wing - Moose Jaw) is a Canadian Forces Base located 70km west of Regina, Saskatchewan, in the town of Moose Jaw. ... April 1 is the 91st day of the year (92nd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 274 days remaining. ... 1978 (MCMLXXVIII) was a common year starting on Sunday. ...

Since then, the Snowbirds have become an icon of Canadian aviation, and were awarded the 1994 "Belt of Orion" by Canada's Aviation Hall of Fame. The squadron continues to fly the CT-114 Tutor, and was presented their Squadron Colours on 15 October 1999 for 25 years of service. For a time, the Red Knight, a solo show of a single Canadair (Lockheed) CT-33 Silver Star, also flew with the 431. 1994 (MCMXCIV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar, and was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by United Nations. ... Canadas Aviation Hall of Fame, based in the Reynolds-Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin, Alberta, Canada, commemorates and honours those whose accomplishments in aviation contributed so much to Canadas development as a nation. ... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years). ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1999: Events Hot air balloon Breitling Orbiter 3 completes the first non-stop, round the world balloon flight. ... Categories: Aircraft stubs | Aerobatic teams ... A CT-33 of the Canadian Forces Red Knight aerobatic team. ...

On 28 June 2006, Canada Post released two domestic rate (51 cent Canadian) stamps to commemorate the 35th anniversary of the team. The Royal Canadian Mint jointly released a $5.00 silver commemorative coin. June 28 is the 179th day of the year (180th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 186 days remaining. ... For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ... Canada Post logo Canada Post (French: Postes Canada) is a Canadian postal service operated as an independent crown corporation. ... Mint flag The Royal Canadian Mint produces all of Canadas circulation coins, and manufactures circulation coins on behalf of other nations. ...

Accidents

Snowbirds in a classic two-plane formation at the Winnipeg International Air Show 2005

The Snowbirds have had several accidents in the history of the squadron, with six deaths resulting: Image File history File links Size of this preview: 463 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (612 × 792 pixel, file size: 30 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ... Image File history File links Size of this preview: 463 × 599 pixel Image in higher resolution (612 × 792 pixel, file size: 30 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg) I, the creator of this work, hereby release it into the public domain. ...

• 1972: Captain Lloyd Waterer died during a demonstration at the Trenton Airshow in Trenton, Ontario
• 1978: Captain Gordon de Jong died at an airshow in Grande Prairie, Alberta. The horizontal stabilizer critically failed rendering the aircraft uncontrollable. Although 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 plane crashed into Lake Ontario. During the same accident, team commander Major Dan Dempsey safely ejected from his aircraft.
• 1991: A Snowbird jet crashed during a routine training flight near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan. The two pilots were not seriously injured.
• 1992: A crash near Moose Jaw was blamed on a failed engine bearing. There were no injuries.
• 1994: Two pilots ejected from their aircraft near Moose Jaw, sustaining minor injuries.
• 1997: Two jets touched wingtips in mid-air in Glen Falls, N.Y. There were no injuries.
• 10 December 1998: Captain Michael VandenBos died in a midair collision during training near Moose Jaw.
• 4 September 2000: Aircraft #4 and #1 touched in midair causing minor damage to the wing of one and the tail of another shortly after takeoff before a demonstration for the Canadian International Air Show in Toronto on the Labour Day weekend. Both planes landed safely with no injuries. [1]
• 10 April 2001: The nose and right-wing landing gear of plane #5 collapsed as it landed in Comox, British Columbia in a nine-plane diamond formation. No one was injured. [2]
• 21 June 2001: Major Robert Painchaud and his passenger ejected after a mid-air collision between planes #1 and #5 as they attempted to rejoin the "Concorde" nine-jet formation for a media shoot over Lake Erie near London, Ontario. The passenger sustained serious injury, but Major Painchaud suffered only bruising and the other aircraft was safely flown back to base. [3]
• 10 December 2004: Captain Miles Selby died in a training accident near Mossbank, Saskatchewan. 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.[4][5]
• 24 August 2005: Capt. Andrew Mackay safely ejected from his aircraft near Thunder Bay, Ontario, during the warm-up for the Thunder in the Air Airshow.[6][7]
• 18 May 2007: A Snowbird crashed during practice at Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls, Montana, killing pilot Capt. Shawn McCaughey^[1][8]

This is a list of aviation-related events from 1972: Events January January 5 - US President Richard Nixon announces $US 5. ... Dundas Street, the main road in Trenton, Ontario. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman - Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 106 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area Ranked 4th... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1978: Events January January 1 - British Aircraft Corporation, Hawker Siddeley, and Scottish Aviation are absorbed into British Aerospace April April 1 - The Canadian Snowbirds aerobatic team officially becomes the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron. ... Grande Prairie ( MST) is the chief city in the northwestern part of the province of Alberta in Western Canada. ... Motto: Fortis et liber(Latin) Strong and free Capital Edmonton Largest city Calgary Official languages English (see below) Government - Lieutenant-Governor Norman Kwong - Premier Ed Stelmach (PC) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 28 - Senate seats 6 Confederation September 1, 1905 (split from Northwest Territories) (8th [province]) Area Ranked... September 3 is the 246th day of the year (247th in leap years). ... 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. ... The Canadian International Airshow is an annual air show taking place in Toronto at the end of the Canadian National Exhibition since 1949. ... Early CNE midway sign A pair of CNE Magic Passes Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) is an annual event held at Exhibition Place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ... Template:Hide = Motto: Template:Unhide = Diversity Our Strength Image:Toronto, Ontario Location. ... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman - Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 106 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area Ranked 4th... Lake Ontario, bounded on the north by the Canadian province of Ontario and on the south by Ontarios Niagara Peninsula and by New York State, USA, is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1991: Events January January 16 - American and Continental. ... Location of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan Moose Jaw is a city in south-central Saskatchewan, Canada on the Moose Jaw River 71 km west of Regina. ... Motto: Multis E Gentibus Vires (Latin: From many peoples strength) Capital Regina Largest city Saskatoon Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor Gordon Barnhart - Premier Lorne Calvert (NDP) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 14 - Senate seats 6 Confederation September 1, 1905 (Split from NWT) (9th (province)) Area Ranked 7th... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1992: Events The European Commission approves three new regulations to liberalize air travel within the European Union. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1994: Events April April 14 - USAF F-15 Eagles shoot down two US Army Iraq, mis-identifying them as Iraqi Mil Mi-25s April 16 - a Royal Navy Sea Harrier is shot down over Serbia by a SA-7 Grail. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1997: Events March 17–May 28 Linda Finch, pilot, aviation historian, and San Antonio, Texas businesswoman, flying a restored and specially equipped 62-year-old Lockheed Electra 10E, recreates the 1937 Amelia Earhart flight to circumnavigate the globe solo. ... December 10 is the 344th day (345th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, 21 days before the next year. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 1998: Events Cirrus Aircraft successfully flight-tests the CAPS ballistic emergency aircraft parachute. ... September 4 is the 247th day of the year (248th in leap years). ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 2000: Events July July 10, EADS is formed by the merger of Aérospatiale-Matra, Dornier, DaimlerChrysler Aerospace AG (DASA), and Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA (CASA). ... The Canadian International Airshow is an annual air show taking place in Toronto at the end of the Canadian National Exhibition since 1949. ... Labour Day Parade in Toronto in early 1900s A Labour Day is an annual holiday celebrated all over the world that resulted from efforts of the labour union movement, to celebrate the economic and social achievements of workers. ... April 10 is the 100th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (101st in leap years). ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 2001: Events April: The unmanned aircraft Global Hawk flies automatically from Edwards AFB in the US to Australia non-stop and unrefuelled. ... Coordinates: Country Canada Province British Columbia Regional District Comox-Strathcona Incorporated 1953 Government  - Mayor Jim Brass Area  - City 26. ... Motto: Splendor Sine Occasu (Latin: Splendour without diminishment) Capital Victoria Largest city Vancouver Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor Iona Campagnolo - Premier Gordon Campbell (BC Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 36 - Senate seats 6 Confederation July 20, 1871 (6th province) Area Ranked 4th - Total 944,735 km... June 21 is the 172nd day of the year (173rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar, with 193 days remaining. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 2001: Events April: The unmanned aircraft Global Hawk flies automatically from Edwards AFB in the US to Australia non-stop and unrefuelled. ... Lake Erie (pronounced ) is the eleventh largest lake on Earth[2] and, of the five Great Lakes of North America, it is the fourth largest by surface area, the southernmost, shallowest, and smallest by volume. ... Nickname: Location of London in relation to Middlesex County and the Province of Ontario Coordinates: Country Canada Province Ontario County Middlesex County Settled 1826 as a village Incorporated 1855 as a city Government  - City Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best  - Governing Body London City Council  - MPs Sue Barnes (LPC) Glen Pearson... December 10 is the 344th day (345th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar, 21 days before the next year. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 2004: Events January 2 - Several British Airways flights from London Heathrow Airport to Washington D.C. and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia are cancelled due to security fears. ... Motto: Multis E Gentibus Vires (Latin: From many peoples strength) Capital Regina Largest city Saskatoon Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor Gordon Barnhart - Premier Lorne Calvert (NDP) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 14 - Senate seats 6 Confederation September 1, 1905 (Split from NWT) (9th (province)) Area Ranked 7th... August 24 is the 236th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (237th in leap years), with 129 days remaining. ... This is a list of aviation-related events from 2005: // Events January January 29 - Nonstop flights between mainland China and Taiwan take off for the first time since 1949. ... Nickname: Motto: Superior by nature Location of Thunder Bay, Ontario Coordinates: Country Canada Province Ontario Region Northwestern Ontario District Thunder Bay District CMA Thunder Bay Established 1970 (amalgamation between Fort William and Port Arthur) Incorporated as Towns Port Arthur in 1884 Fort William in 1892 Incorporated as Cities Both Port... Motto: Ut Incepit Fidelis Sic Permanet (Latin: Loyal she began, loyal she remains) Capital Toronto Largest city Toronto Official languages English Government - Lieutenant-Governor James K. Bartleman - Premier Dalton McGuinty (Liberal) Federal representation in Canadian Parliament - House seats 106 - Senate seats 24 Confederation July 1, 1867 (1st) Area Ranked 4th... May 18 is the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (139th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... Malmstrom AFB is a United States Air Force base and census-designated place located in Cascade County, Montana, USA. It is the home of the 341st Space WIng. ... Great Falls, Montana the Electric City at dusk Great Falls is a city located in Cascade County, Montana, United States. ...

References

• Dempsey, Daniel V. A Tradition of Excellence: Canada's Airshow Team Heritage. Victoria, BC: High Flight Enterprises, 2002. ISBN 0-9687817-0-5.
• Milberry, Larry. Canada's Air Force At War And Peace, Volume 3. Toronto: CANAV Books, 2000. ISBN 0-921022-12-3.
• Sroka, Mike. Snowbirds: Behind The Scenes With Canada's Air Demonstration Team. Toronto, ON: Fifth House Publishers, 2006. ISBN 1-89485-686-4.

CablePulse 24 (commonly known as CP24) is a 24 hour Canadian cable television specialty news channel. ... May 18 is the 138th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (139th in leap years). ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ...

External links

• Canadian Forces Snowbirds official site
• Squadron history at RCAF.com
• Squadron history, Department of National Defence
• 431 Squadron During the Second World War