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Canadian Snowbirds to soar over Sheppard

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Valerie Hosea
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The Canadian Forces Snowbirds Demonstration Team will show thousands of people in the Wichita Falls, Texas, community their aerial talents during the 2009 Sheppard Air Force Base Open House and Air Show Oct. 10 and 11. 

Capt. Jennifer Jones, 431st Air Demonstration Squadron public affairs officer, said the Canadian Forces Snowbirds are Canada's military air demonstration team with a mission to represent the skill, professionalism and teamwork of the men and women of the Canadian Forces to the North American public. 

"The 2009 show commemorates 100 years of powered flight in Canada, and in order to celebrate this milestone, we have created some new formations for this year's show," Captain Jones said. "In addition, the entire show is set to music exclusively performed or composed by Canadian artists." 

The Snowbirds often are asked to compare themselves to the other demonstration teams including the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and U.S. Navy Blue Angels. 

"We are similar in that we are all jet demonstration teams with very similar missions, however, the shows themselves are very different,"  Captain Jones said.  "The Thunderbirds and Blue Angels put on a very impressive display of the precision and raw power."  

The captain said, in comparison, the Snowbirds have limited power to their aircraft and are a demonstration of precision and grace. This is similar to the difference between attending a rock concert and attending the symphony orchestra. They are different but have their own appeal. 

"The Snowbirds design their show to resemble more of an aerial ballet," Captain Jones said.  "The 35-minute show comprises about 50 different formations and maneuvers in different combinations ranging from nine-plane to three-plane with some nail-biting solo crosses inter-twined in the choreography."
 
In many of the formations the distance between each Snowbird jet is about 4 feet. When flying at speeds of 357 mph, a large amount of skill is required by the pilot to maintain this distance throughout the performance. 

"The relatively slow speed and maneuverability of our aircraft allows us to always keep something going on in front of the crowd, something we take great pride in," she said. 

The Snowbirds fly the Canadair CT-114 Tutor, a Canadian-built jet that is powered by a J-85 engine that produces 2,700 pounds of thrust. 

"With firework like bursts, solo passes with closing speeds of 625 mph and graceful nine-plane formations; the show is inspiring for all," the captain said.

 The 431st ADS consists of approximately 80 Canadian Forces personnel, 24 of whom comprise the show team which travels during the show season.