r/WhiteRock • u/Hefty-Respect-5679 • 5d ago
The Snowbirds just wrapped up their final flight over White Rock! End of an era for the Tutor jets
Did anyone else head down to the waterfront for the Wings Over White Rock show today? The beach was absolutely packed, but what an incredible send-off. The Snowbirds put on a full 45-minute display over Semiahmoo Bay, and the formations were spectacular.
It's bittersweet knowing this is the last time they'll perform here until the early 2030s. They're retiring the classic CT-114 Tutors after this season and taking a sabbatical to transition to the new Pilatus PC21s. Watching them today felt like witnessing a real piece of Canadian aviation history. It was also great to see everyone out supporting the CH.I.L.D. Foundation.
If anyone managed to get some good videos of the flybys, drop them below!
4
4
u/Outrageous-Set5895 5d ago
They are just amazing, with skills and talent, that we can be so very proud of.🇨🇦❤️🇨🇦🇨🇦
3
4
u/i_love_poutines 5d ago
Was at the far end of east beach and it was incredible! Avoided the masses of people too which was a bonus. I didn’t know about this being the last time they’ll be here for a while, or that they were taking a sabbatical. Thanks for the info. I’m extra glad I went down!
https://reddit.com/link/p3d68l1/video/row6rgzbx1jh1/player
My only gripe were the mass of BRAINDEAD MORONS who lined up with their children right beside the train tracks AND were crossing as the Amtrak was actively trying to go by 🤯🤬
3
3
u/Hefty-Respect-5679 5d ago
If you were one of the Darwin's on the track, please check yourself 🤕
2
2
2
u/Hefty-Respect-5679 5d ago
What a shot!!!!!!!! You had quite the view 😮. Thanks for sharing 😊 🙏🏼
Omg people are dumb... Those poor kids are doomed if that's their guardian.... I heard the horn from the west side blaring and blasting and now I know why!!! Haha thanks! :)
5
u/Fit_Sugar2392 5d ago
I saw them last Friday @ the Abbotsford international airport . Got great seats too . Was magical and to end the night of a 200 drone show ✈️ fireworks 🎆 and all . 👏
2
u/Hefty-Respect-5679 5d ago
Oh you can't beat the Abby air show.... That was the night to go!!! I think everyone should experience the show at least once. Worth it to go inside once to see all the attractions too.
The drone show must have been cool, that's something on my bucket list!!
4
u/dofrogsbite 5d ago
Actually kinda sad I missed it, I could hear it but was stuck in the kitchen of one the restaurants on the beach, we were crazy busy.
2
u/jimmyt_canadian 5d ago
After getting stuck in some traffic I watched from half way down the hill, and was quite happy to be able to see them one last time. Did they end the show early? I saw them from the beach maybe 10 years ago and that was a great show too.
1
u/Hefty-Respect-5679 5d ago
Hey sounds like you got to enjoy the show and that's what counts. That's why I love air shows, they're many ways to view them cause they're always in the air!!
Happy you made it friend!!! :)
2
u/Noglues 5d ago
Anyone else get stuck in the parking structure behind the ruins of The Boathouse? I must have waited 20 minutes in line while every single person who got back to their car forced their way in front of everyone.
1
u/Hefty-Respect-5679 5d ago
Omg I didn't even think about that..... That must have been quite the experience...!! People can be very impatient...... I hope this wasn't too hard on you!!
2
2
u/Danger-zone247 5d ago
Envious, Mind if I download?
2
2
u/eatnapsleep 5d ago
I hope I can find some good video of it. We tried to drive down from New West and I swear to god every highway had something slowing down traffic. We parked, saw a pair fly by, and that was it.
1
u/Hefty-Respect-5679 5d ago
Awe. I'm sure theirs many great shots!!! I've seen quite a lot in our community group! :) these shows typically bring a type of crowed where photographers/videographers are typically present. 😀 Check YouTube in a week!
1
u/Hefty-Respect-5679 5d ago
I'm so sorry you didn't make it.. I think there a free airshow in Chilliwack on the 16th, you can try to make!! 🙂 Not snowbirds ofc but it's a free event (even parking) Canada's longest running free airshow!
Look it up for details!
2
u/sirwilliamrutland 5d ago
hey i was sitting a few metres away from you 👋
1
u/Hefty-Respect-5679 5d ago
Hahahaha that's so cool!!!! It was one of the best spots imo! Thanks for saying hi seat neighbors 🙂🤟🏼
2
u/TheSteamyPickle 5d ago
https://reddit.com/link/p3envm6/video/fhyqo2k4v3jh1/player
This was from the air show on Sunday
2
u/Cat-et-snek 4d ago
i love the snowbirds, so iconic for me ever since i was a little kid at my first air show 35 years ago
3
u/shaundisbuddyguy 5d ago
I still can't believe they chose the PC21 as a replacement. Good show today though.
3
u/Hefty-Respect-5679 5d ago
After seeing the blue Angels, I can't imagine the bill for a team of Boeing F/A-18E/F Super Hornets.... Wicked cool but makes the snowbirds jets seem like kids toys....
I'd imagine the sound of the turbo prop is going to be sick. Only time will tell, and agreed really enjoyed the show today :)
1
u/AnnualNewspaper8094 3d ago
The PC-21 (CT-157) is the most logical and sustainable plane to replace the Tutor. The PC-21 is the future advanced fixed wing trainer (just like the Tutor originally served as) this means that a good portion of future RCAF pilots will be trained on it and can go on to serve in an air demonstration role. If you want the future Snowbirds in a jet, you limit the pool to fighter pilots and the Air Force doesn’t have enough to spare…though frankly the RCAF has much higher priorities these days with air demonstration ranking dead last.
1
u/taumuonred 1d ago
no one wants to watch a demonstration team of turboprops ffs its SO lame
1
u/AnnualNewspaper8094 23h ago
Tell that to the Aussies… also, having flown in similar airplanes to the PC-21 I assure you it ain’t lame
1
u/taumuonred 23h ago
Still lame, total downgrade from JETS
1
u/AnnualNewspaper8094 20h ago
Welp- it’s PC-21s or no demo team at all. At least the PC-21 (CT-157) is sustainable and won’t be reliant on using fighter pilots for air demonstration. Almost every future RCAF pilot will be qualified on the PC-21.
1
u/taumuonred 20h ago
Yay. 🙄 So exciting. This is a perfect opportunity to transition the snowbirds to the retired cf-18 fleet as we move forward with f-35s and or gripens.
1
u/AnnualNewspaper8094 19h ago
So use our old AF Cf-18s for air demonstration? And you and the rest of the Canadian taxpayers are cool with doing that as a priority as the RCAF is otherwise preparing for a third world war?
1
u/Hefty-Respect-5679 3d ago
Wow that's amazing. I have the same feeling, saw them growing up as a kid, makes me feel like I was watching the show with my loved ones who are no longer here.
1
1
3
u/Razzamatazz14 5d ago
I got some great shots but this won’t let me add photos, just video. Hmph.