One last Canadian show for iconic Snowbird jets — in the same province they were made in

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal News One last Canadian show for iconic Snowbird jets — in the same province they were made in An emotional closing show at AERO Gatineau-Ottawa as Canada's nine iconic red-and-white Tutor jets grace the skies for one last Canadian air show Author of the article: By Abyssinia Abebe Published Sep 20, 2026 Last updated 27 minutes ago 5 minute read Join the conversation The Canadian Forces Snowbirds performed their final scheduled Canadian air show flight of the season before their aircraft are decommissioned, thrilling spectators with precision flying and aerobatic manoeuvres during AERO Gatineau-Ottawa Airshow at the Gatineau Airport on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2026. PHOTO BY ASHLEY FRASER /Postmedia Article content The heart and mind can be at odds with many realities of life. For Stacey McCue, the Snowbirds’ Tutor jets being retired was an almost irreconcilable fact. Article content “I understand why they’re not able to fly them anymore,” McCue said, pointing at the aging planes. “It’s just hard to let go of something that you grew up with.” Article content Article content McCue leaned against the metal barricades overlooking the jets on a bright Sunday, Sept. 20 afternoon, after the Snowbirds’ current Canadair CT-114 Tutor jets were flown at what would be their last full air show in Canada. Article content Article content In many ways, McCue grew up with the Snowbirds’ team, which was formed in 1971 when McCue was just a one-year-old child. Years later, McCue’s now-14-year-old daughter Paeyge Newman, who stood next to her on Sunday in tears, came within hours of being born in the back of a Harvard aircraft. Article content The Evening Citizen The Ottawa Citizen’s best journalism, delivered directly to your inbox by 7 p.m. on weekdays. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content McCue was doing the membership for the Canadian Harvard Aircraft Association in Tillsonburg, Ont., when she got a ride in one of the planes. Article content Stacey McCue and her daughter, Paeyge Newman, were at Sunday’s Snowbirds air show. PHOTO BY ABYSSINIA ABEBE /Postmedia Article content “My water broke after the flight, overnight, (and) the following day and she was born at 11 a.m.,” she said, looking at her daughter. Article…