The Canadian Snowbirds Trivia Quiz

Answer: Captain Shawn McCaughey

When the men and women of the Snowbirds perform, they pay tribute to the pilots who have lost their lives in tragic accidents during performances or otherwise.

Captain Shawn McCaughey, (#2, inner right wing) was killed during a practice flight at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Montana, USA. This tragedy occurred on May 18th, 2007. He was only 31 yrs old.

Captain Miles Selby, at the age of 31, was killed during a training mission in December of 2004, This occurred in Mossbank, Saskatchewan, Canada. His flight position was #8, opposing solo.
Captain Michael VandenBos, at the age of 29,was killed during a training mission in the month of December in 1998. This happened just south of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. His flight position was #2, inner right wing.
Captain Shane Antaya, was killed during an air show in 1989 at the age of 26. This took place at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. His flight position was #2, inner right wing.
Captain Wes Mackay,at the young age of 28, was killed in a motor vehicle accident in 1988. He had previously performed in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. His flight position was #8, Lead Solo.
Captain Gordon de Jong, at the age of 32, was killed in an air show. This took place in 1978 in Grande Prairie, Alberta, Canada. His flight position was #8, lead solo.
Captain Lloyd Waterer, was killed during an air show in 1972, in Trenton, Ontario, Canada. He was a youthful 24 yrs old and had a flight position of #8, lead solo.

Answer: Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada

The Canadian Snowbirds' home base is in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. Every year they go to Comox, British Columbia, Canada where they practice over some different terrain from what is more usual. Generally they do this in April, when the weather is less likely to make visibility poor. Starting in May and lasting until mid-October each year, the team travels across North America to perform at many different air shows. Throughout this six month air show season, the Snowbirds return to their home base, usually about four times for only a couple of days.

They return home to perform any necessary maintenance on the aircrafts.

Answer: members of the Canadian Armed Forces

All members of the Snowbirds are Canadian Forces personnel. They have to have many years of military experience before they can join the squadron of the Snowbirds. Each year, many military pilots and many technicians apply for a position with the Snowbirds.

Their skills and their experience determines who will be selected. The pilots must undergo an in-depth series of try-outs so they will have a qualifying evaluation of their formation-flying knowledge and abilities.

Answer: normally three years

Normally the tour of duty for the pilots has a three year limit. Every year, one third of the number of pilots is changed to new pilots. This is done so as to benefit the entire team, since the second and third year members are the ones who train the new pilots.

This helps to maintain a better consistency and understanding in the operation of the Snowbirds. The technicians can stay for many years with 431 Squadron, working on and maintaining proper working standards of the aircraft, through regular ground run work and through modifications.

Answer: major

"The Boss", team leader, must hold the rank of major. Part of the qualifications require that he has already flown as a Snowbird earlier in his career. Recommendations for this position are provided by the current "Boss". He informs the Wing Commander and Commander 1 Canadian Air Division about who he is considering for the position.

The Commander 1 Canadian Air Division then offers the position to the pilot that they think is the best suited and qualified for the job of team leader. The job requires the team leader to be able to handle the great demands and stresses that go with the job.

Answer: their home base

This design on this crest originates from the Snowbirds' home base in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, Canada. One of Saskatchewan's main crops, since it is a prairie province, is wheat. As a tribute to the home province, the Snowbird crest is made up of four speed birds.

These are in a flight type of formation and resemble an ear of wheat. This same speed bird design is also shown on the under belly of each of the Snowbird aircraft.

Answer: stickman

The stickman, who is balancing himself while walking along a line is the symbol for "Smartrisk". "Smartrisk" was created in 1992 in order to tackle injuries and injury-related deaths which affect many unfortunate Canadians. The stickman is actually walking the "Stupid Line". This is the line of choice that each one of us has. It stands for the separation of smart risks from stupid risks.

The Snowbirds are in fact, the founders of "Smartrisk". They speak to many flying students about how they can manage their own risks. They talk about how important gear, training and attitude are when they are preparing for each of their flights. They discuss the great amount of concentration that is needed when carrying out all of their many precision-timed maneuvers. The "Smartrisk" message is always reinforced to the visitors to all of the air shows where the Snowbirds are performing. The foundation's logo is also painted on the side of each of the beautiful Snowbird jets.

Answer: within 1.2 meters of each other (3.9 feet)

The frightening distance between each Snowbird jet, in many of the formations, is about 1.2 meters (4 feet). When flying at the great speeds that they do fly at, there is a precise and very demanding amount of skill required by the pilot to maintain this distance and remain steady. It requires extreme levels of concentration and dedication to be such a pilot.

Answer: 600 km/hr (372.8 mph)

The solo aircraft aim to be approximately 10 meters (32.8 feet) apart from each other when they cross. Their speed is close to 600 km/hr (372.8mph) for each jet. This amazing rate of speed is almost the speed of sound. The speed of sound is 1224.710784 km/hr (761 mph).

Answer: elementary school contest

A "Name the Team" contest was held at the local base elementary school in June of 1971. The winner was a Grade 6 student named Doug Farmer. After nearly 30 years, Doug Farmer was able to go on a media ride at the Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada, air show in the year 2000.