RCAF Snowbirds cancel U.S. air shows to reduce costs

[McG]

If the Snowbirds are about connecting Canadians with their military, then this seems to be a good decision from my perspective.

Snowbirds cancel U.S. air shows amid budget cuts
Canadian squadron's flying hours were reduced
CBC News
10 February 2014

Canada's famed Snowbirds aerobatic flying team has been forced to cancel all shows in the United States because of budget cuts.

Snowbirds spokesman Capt. Thomas Edelson says the number of flying hours were cut for the squadron based in Moose Jaw, Sask., so the four U.S. shows were cancelled.

Edelson says the team enjoys going south of the border, but Canadian audiences have to be the priority.

Herb Gillen, a spokesman for the Oregon International Air Show, says organizers got a call from the Snowbirds about 10 days ago to cancel a September show.

Gillen says removing the Snowbirds from the lineup is a pretty big blow for the Oregon show.

He says organizers are regrouping and trying to figure out what the viability of the show is if it doesn't have a jet demonstration team.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/snowbirds-cancel-u-s-air-shows-amid-budget-cuts-1.2530809

 

[ATCO]

A good decision IMHO as well. Airshows are nice but when budgets are tighter, it makes perfect sense cancelling the ones outside Canada.

 

[Fishbone Jones]

The Snowbirds are a recruiting tool.

We don't recruit from the States.

 

[Lightguns]

Ack that, good call for Canadians.

 

[The Bread Guy]

The latest - either someone should tell the Snowbirds schedulers about that U.S. show cancellation two weeks ago, or someone should talk to the RCAF Info-machine's editors (highlights mine) .....

Every year, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) participates in numerous air shows and special events throughout North America.

The air show audience experiences many exhilarating sights and sounds, including the roar of the CF-18 Hornet as its twin F-404 engines charge the runway and pull up into the dirty roll on take-off, the magnificence of the Snowbirds (431 (Air Demonstration) Squadron) as they perform their signature nine-ship Canada Burst formation and the crackle of “Contact!” as the solo pilots come over the loudspeakers.

These aerobatic displays inspire and include so many jaw-dropping elements that it can be easy to overlook that fact that what air shows provide is a chance for Canadians to get an up-close opportunity to witness first-hand the capabilities and skills of the RCAF’s men and women.

The RCAF is pleased to release the 2014 event schedules for both of its air demonstration teams: the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and the CF-18 National Demonstration Team.

Both teams will thrill audiences all over Canada and in the United States this summer. Internationally, the Snowbirds will wow crowds at four air shows in the U.S. Meanwhile, the CF-18 Demo Team will make five international appearances, two in California -- one at the start of the season and one at the end -- plus two in Switzerland and one in Belgium ....

Attached find the schedules for the Snowbirds, as well as the CF-18 Demo Team.

Wonder where they found the money?

 

[George Wallace]

I understand to be cost effective and still continue on as a CAF and National promotional display team the Snowbirds have adopted a much cheaper aircraft to fly into the 22nd Century.