Snowbirds base gets a glimpse at aircraft expected to replace Tutor jets

CANADA Snowbirds base gets a glimpse at aircraft expected to replace Tutor jets By Tavi Dhillon Global News Posted September 21, 2026 5:14 pm 2 min read RELATED: 'Bittersweet': Snowbirds wrapping up final season with aging jets – Sep 2, 2026 LEAVE A COMMENT SHARE THIS ITEM ON FACEBOOK SHARE THIS ITEM ON X SEND THIS PAGE TO SOMEONE VIA EMAIL SEE MORE SHARING OPTIONS DESCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE INCREASE ARTICLE FONT SIZE Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) members in Moose Jaw, Sask. got a first look at the type of trainer aircraft that will replace the retiring Snowbirds fleet. Four new CT-157 Siskin II turboprop advanced training aircraft arrived at 15 Wing in the southern Saskatchewan city Monday, after two landed in Gatineau, Que. last Thursday. These specific aircraft will be used for training, but they are the same model as the ones expected to replace the Canadian Forces Snowbirds aging CT-114 Tutor jets after their final showing at the Grey Cup in Calgary’s McMahon Stadium Nov. 15. “This is very exciting. Having new aircraft reinvigorates our training streams, but more importantly, it provides our young students and young aviators with the opportunity to learn new technologies,” said acting commander of 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Lt.-Col. Craig Cloete. He spoke with reporters at an event commemorating the Battle of Britain Sunday, prior to the Siskin IIs arriving. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT The Snowbirds have called Moose Jaw home since the performance fleet was founded in 1971. Get daily Montreal news Get daily Montreal news delivered to your inbox so you'll never miss the day's top stories. SIGN UP FOR DAILY MONTREAL NEWSLETTER GET STARTED BY PROVIDING YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS, YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO GLOBAL NEWS' TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY. Two flight schools are also housed at 15 Wing Moose Jaw. Ensuring students at the base have access to modern equipment will help prepare them for future flights and gives them a leg up as technology continues to evolve, Cloete said. “We cannot remain stagnant in our training methodologies or the tools that we use for training,” he continued. A total of 19 Siskin II aircraft are expected to be stationed in the Saskatchewan city. Maj. Zacharie Charbonneau said a lot the technology in the training aircraft, such as the fully digital cockpit, ensures trainees are ready for the future of aviation. MORE ON CANADA MORE VIDEOS Pharmacy treatments for Lyme disease cut N.S. emergency visits in half:…