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Pilatus PC-21 trainer in flight.
Canadian Defense Minister David McGuinty committed on May 19 to top up a previous order for Pilatus PC-21 aircraft to replace the Snowbirds aerial demonstration team’s inventory of Canadair-made jet aircraft that are set for retirement later this year.
The announcement effectively means the Royal Canadian Air Force’s demonstration team will be grounded for several years. The PC-21s, which are redesignated as the CT-157 Siskin II in Canadian service, are not expected to be delivered until the early 2030s.
In an announcement staged at the Snowbirds team’s home in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, McGuinty hailed the 55-year legacy of 431 Squadron, which has operated the CT-114s due to be replaced.
“We remain firmly committed to a future air demonstration capability that continues this proud legacy,” McGuinty said.
The selection of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PT6A-68B-powered PC-21 follows a 2024 order by the air force’s Future Aircrew Training program, which included orders of PC-21s for primary pilot trainers.
The government also had the option of acquiring jet-powered aircraft through topping up a forthcoming order by the Future Fighter Lead-In Training program, which is evaluating the Boeing/Saab T-7A, Leonardo M-346 and the Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50.
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