One of the most memorable sights at last weekend’s California Capital Airshow may never be repeated: Canada’s Snowbirds and the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flying together in a single formation, the Canadians’ red-and-white jets flanking the Air Force’s F-16 fighters. The moment highlighted the airshow’s 20th anniversary, held Oct. 10 – 11 at Mather Airport. Both days sold out, and the Folsom Times reported attendance topping 100,000.
It was also a goodbye. The Sacramento show was the Snowbirds’ last airshow in their Tutor jets, the small red-and-white planes the Canadian team has flown in about 2,700 shows since 1971. Canada is retiring the aging jets and pausing the team until new aircraft arrive, likely in the early 2030s. The Tutors will make one final ceremonial flyover at the Grey Cup, Canada’s football championship, in Calgary on Nov. 15, but Mather was their last full show.
The Canadians made it count. Their nine-jet routine filled the evening sky with long smoke trails, sweeping loops and a signature move in which the planes climbed straight up and burst apart in every direction. Some Canadian fans made the trip south just to see it.
The Thunderbirds, the Air Force’s official demonstration team, brought the noise. Their red, white and blue F-16s roared low over the runway in tight formation as spectators along the crowd line held up their phones to record.
The lineup also included a Navy Super Hornet fighter jet, a U-2 spy plane from nearby Beale Air Force Base, civilian stunt pilots and a sunset flight of World War II-era P-51 Mustangs. After dark, a night show with lighted aircraft and parachutists ended each evening with fireworks and hundreds of drones honoring America’s 250th birthday…