A Hornet and a theme each year

The CF-18 Demonstration Team flew a single CF-188 Hornet at air shows in Canada and abroad, with a crew of about 13: the demonstration pilot, eight technicians split between 3 Wing Bagotville and 4 Wing Cold Lake, three safety pilots and a public affairs officer. Its signature was an annual commemorative livery: the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan in 2016, Canada 150 in 2017, NORAD’s 60th anniversary in 2018 and the RCAF centenary in 2024, when Captain Caleb “Tango” Robert won best livery and best solo jet display at the Royal International Air Tattoo.

Lethbridge, 2010

On 23 July 2010, practising for the Alberta International Air Show at Lethbridge, the demo Hornet lost thrust from its right engine during a high-angle-of-attack pass at about 300 feet. Captain Brian Bews of 425 Squadron ejected and was injured on landing; the aircraft was destroyed and the rest of the 2010 season was cancelled. The flight safety investigation found several contributing factors including the engine malfunction.

Standing down for the F-35

In November 2024 the RCAF announced that it would not stand up the team for 2025, to commit people and resources to replacing the CF-18 with the CF-35A, and would instead fly a small number of non-aerobatic tactical demonstrations. Those tactical demonstrations continued into 2026; no return of the full demo team has been announced. The RCAF expected its first CF-35As to arrive for initial training in 2026, and the Snowbirds remained its only dedicated aerobatic team, themselves facing a pause after the 2026 season.