The Canadian Forces Snowbirds’ famous Tutor jets have flown over Vancouver Island for the last time. On Tuesday evening, thousands of people flocked to Victoria’s Dallas Road to watch the military aerobatic team in action. “It gets a little nerve-racking at times seeing them pull off really close calls,” said William Walker, one of many kids who watched the performance with awe. Show director Kelly Kurta said it’s hard to guess how many people watched the show, but she estimates roughly 25,000 people lined the waterfront. “It definitely felt like we were in the presence of greatness,” Kurta told CTV News. “The commitment that these pilots have given and created over 55 years is something I don’t think any of us truly can grasp.” By mid-October, the pilots and their jets will be grounded until the early 2030s. The federal government is replacing the aging aircraft with a fleet of CT-157 Siskin II, which are turboprop trainers designed for high-performance flying. “That’s the Canadian flag in the air, right?” said former Snowbirds commanding officer Ret. Lt. Col. Dan Dempsey. “That’s what we’re going to miss for quite a few years now, so it’s a really nostalgic moment for all of us.” The sheer scale of that nostalgia was evident for spectators who drove to and from the show. For some drivers, commutes of only a few kilometres took more than an hour. “It’s just the outpouring of support and pride and the memories that Canadians are sharing with us,” said Capt. Phil Rochon, a public affairs officer with the Snowbirds. “It’s really heart-touching and we see that we really had an impact over 55 years.” The team’s final show is in Sacramento, CA on Oct. 11.
