They are a familiar sight on Canada Day and a thrilling spectacle at air shows. But the Snowbirds, Canada's aerobatic flying team, have an uncertain future.
The Snowbirds are faced with obsolete aircraft and a shrinking defence budget, not to mention persistent rumours that the entire squadron may be scrapped. And the demands to disband the Snowbirds intensify wherever there's an accident, especially a fatal one.
Aviation author and former Snowbird pilot Dan Dempsey said the Snowbirds are vital as an icon of the Canadian Forces, and the military should support their use of the Tutors until the government approves funding for new aircraft.
Others say the squadron should be scrapped, arguing the Snowbirds' $10-million budget could be better spent elsewhere in the Canadian Forces.
"It's a luxury, and I think the time has come to question [it] and possibly do without," said military lawyer and former colonel Michel Drapeau in 2004, following a crash that killed one pilot in Saskatchewan.
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In Depth: Snowbirds: Canada's aerobatic flying team
Should Canada's aerobatic flying team the Snowbirds continue to fly?
More...
The Snowbirds are faced with obsolete aircraft and a shrinking defence budget, not to mention persistent rumours that the entire squadron may be scrapped. And the demands to disband the Snowbirds intensify wherever there's an accident, especially a fatal one.
Aviation author and former Snowbird pilot Dan Dempsey said the Snowbirds are vital as an icon of the Canadian Forces, and the military should support their use of the Tutors until the government approves funding for new aircraft.
Others say the squadron should be scrapped, arguing the Snowbirds' $10-million budget could be better spent elsewhere in the Canadian Forces.
"It's a luxury, and I think the time has come to question [it] and possibly do without," said military lawyer and former colonel Michel Drapeau in 2004, following a crash that killed one pilot in Saskatchewan.
Full Story
In Depth: Snowbirds: Canada's aerobatic flying team
Should Canada's aerobatic flying team the Snowbirds continue to fly?
More...
