Snowbirds Demonstration Team

Canada's Snowbirds
431 Demonstration Squadron

Cleared for landing

Sadly, the team suffered a tragic loss when Captain Michael "Woodboot" VandenBos lost his life in a training accident near Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada on December 10th, 1998. The wing of his aircraft, #2, flying the inner right wing touched with another aircraft. The other aircraft was able to land safely. Captain VandenBos attempted to land the aircraft but had to eject before he was able to do so. The injuries he sustained from the ejection eventually took his life.

"HIGH FLIGHT" By: John Gillespie Magee, Jr.
(Killed In The Battle of Britain, At the Age of 19 On December 11, 1942)
No. 412 Squadron RCAF

Oh, I have slipped the surly bonds of earth,
And danced the skies on laughter-silvered wings;
Sunward I've climbed and joined the tumbling mirth
of sun-split clouds - and done a hundred things
You have not dreamed of...

Wheeled and soared and swung
high in the sunlit silence.
Hov'ring there

I've chased the shouting wind along
and flung my eager craft through
footless halls of air.
Up, up the long delirious burning blue
I've topped the wind-swept heights with easy grace,
where never lark, or even eagle, flew;

and, while with silent, lifting mind
I've trod the high untrespassed sanctity of space,
put out my hand,
and touched the face of God."

My family and I extend our condolences to his fiance, his parents, family, friends and the pilots and ground crew of 431 Demonstration Squadron (The Snowbirds) on their loss.

© E.J.van Koningsveld

The CF-105 Avro Arrow was one of Canada's finest aviation achievements. The Snowbird Demonstration Team (431 Demonstration Squadron) is most certainly another of Canada's aviation achievements.

The purpose of this page is to honour the Canadian Snowbird Demonstration Team. One of the finest teams in the world the team serves as ambassadors for Canada and it's military.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are into their 29th season. The team is the product of a proud history of excellence and military aerobatic demonstration teams.

The first Canadian team, the Siskins, flew aerial demonstrations between 1929 and 1931. They were equipped with Siskin IIIA biplanes. It was not until 1959 that they were replaced with another demonstration team - The Golden Hawks. The Golden Hawks flew six gold and black painted F86 Sabre Jets on their demonstration tours.

The Golden Centennaires werew formed in 1967 to perform in the celebration of Canada's centennial celebrations. They flew in a nine-team configuration using the CT-114 Tutor jet.

The Snowbirds were formed in 1971 and are based out of 15 Wing, Canadian Forces Base Moose Jaw in Saskatchewan, Canada. The demonstration team is made up of nine aircraft, the CT-114 painted in red and white with their distinctive logo painted in white on the bottom of the aircraft. Aircraft 8 and 9 are used for the solo manuevers. Since the Snowbirds were formed they have flown at over 1,500 airshows and for over 85 million spectators across North America. In 1998 the team performed 67 airshows at 45 locations. The show season runs from May to October.

The demands of the show schedule are accomplished with 11 planes and pilots, ten technicians and three support staff. Each member of the team is assigned for a period of 2 years. Half of the flight team is changed each year. The team travels from location to location using eleven Tutor aircraft. The team does not a have a supporting transport aircraft but uses the Tutors to transport all personnel and equipment. A tremendous undertaking. The additional aircraft are used as backups in case of problems with the primary aircraft. In all the years that the Snowbirds have been flying the team has never had to cancel a show due to mechanical problems, a testament to the people that support and maintain the aircraft.

© E.J.van Koningsveld

Visit Maverick's SNOWBIRD Photo Gallery

Other Snow Bird Links

The OFFICIAL Snowbirds Homepage

Sky Flash Aviation Site - One of my favourites.

Chris's Snowbird Page

This page was last updated November 17, 1999

The background on this page was created based a picture by (© E.J.van Koningsveld) using Paint Shop Pro v5.
All photographic images of the Snowbird aircraft are courtesy of E.J.van Koningsveld.