Kamloops Airport exploring the acquisition of a retired Snowbird jet

May 26, 2026 | 6:08 PM

KAMLOOPS — Now that the federal government has announced the future grounding of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds until new aircraft can be procured – what happens with the old jets?

That question recently came to the mind of Councillor Stephen Karpuk, who sits on the Kamloops Airport Authority Society’s governing board.

Last week, Defence Minister David McGuinty announced the now-60-year-old CT-114 Tutor jets that form the backbone of the aerobatic demonstration team will be grounded after their upcoming season.

McGuinty says the fleet will be replaced by CT-157 Siskin II aircraft in the early 2030s.

Karpuk is proposing Kamloops Airport look into acquiring one of the retired Tutors to sit on display at Fulton Field.

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“Why can’t we see if we can’t procure one of the jets to be placed at the airport? (Especially) given our history with the [Royal Canadian Air Force] and our airport’s current legacy with Capt. (Jennifer) Casey,” said Karpuk at Tuesday’s (May 26) regular council meeting. “We have memorialized her with the beautiful monument that’s out there.”

Casey was killed on May 17, 2020, when the jet she was aboard crashed in Brocklehurst. She had been instrumental in organizing the Operation Inspiration tour the Snowbirds took in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. A memorial to Casey, dubbed ‘May She Soar’, was finished near the airport four years later.

At Tuesday’s meeting, council voted to send a letter of support in principle of the airport acquiring one of the Tutor jets.

by James Peters

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Kamloops Airport exploring the acquisition of a retired Snowbird jet

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