Kingston residents get one last glimpse of legendary Snowbird jets

Photo: Ken Hashizume

Confederation Park was packed with onlookers seeing the CT-114 Tutor Jets for the final time.

The Canadian Forces Snowbirds made one last hurrah over the Limestone City and did not disappoint.

Hundreds gathered at Confederation Park in downtown Kingston late Tuesday afternoon and gazed at the sky to see one of the final performances of the CT-114 Tutor Jets.

Public Affairs Officer Captain Phil Rochon says there was some excitement in the air when the jets first made their way over the city just after 5 pm.

The Snowbirds did 12 different aerobatic flyovers, eight over the water and four over the downtown. Rochon was part of the crew on the ground helping navigate the planes and providing commentary.

He says the Snowbirds have been around since the early 70s and every year people still come out to watch.

2026 is the final year for the red-and-white CT-114 Tutor jets. They will be replaced by the CT-157 Siskin II that won't be ready until at least 2030.

Story by Ken Hashizume with files

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