2024 tickets on sale as EAA celebrates Royal Canadian Air Force’s 100th birthday
The Canadian Forces Snowbirds, one of the most popular military aerial demonstration teams in the world, announced that EAA AirVenture Oshkosh is part of their 2024 schedule, returning to Oshkosh for the first time since 2016.
AirVenture 2024 is scheduled to take place July 22-28 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Advance admissions are now available for the weeklong event, along with camping credentials and added amenities such as the Aviators Club.
“The Snowbirds are one of the world’s finest military aerobatic flight teams, so their presence at Oshkosh in 2024 is a wonderful addition to AirVenture week as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Along with their elegant precision aerobatics that define their aerial performances, we discovered in 2016 that the team members were enthusiastic and fully engaged in the aviation culture at Oshkosh, and truly enjoyed being with the tens of thousands of fellow aviators on the grounds.”
The Snowbirds are currently scheduled to have a public practice session over the grounds on Friday, July 26, with full performances during the daily afternoon air show on Saturday and Sunday, July 27-28. The team is officially designated as 431 Air Demonstration Squadron and was established in 1971. It has a nearly 50-year connection to EAA, being the first military team to perform at Oshkosh when they flew at the EAA fly-in during the 1970s.
"As a team, we are extremely excited to be representing the Canadian Forces at AirVenture during the centennial year of the Royal Canadian Air Force,” said Maj. Brent Handy, Snowbird 1 and Team Lead. “The opportunity to share our display with such a large gathering of aviation enthusiasts and the chance to meet with our fans will be one of the many highlights of this important year for our dedicated team of pilots, technicians, and support personnel."
The Snowbirds typically fly their Canadair CT-114 Tutor jets in approximately 60 air shows each year. The nine aircraft used in the performances are flown by experienced team members from the Royal Canadian Air Force. During the show, the pilots fly at speeds ranging from 110 to 465 mph (180 to 750 km/h) and in formation with distances as close as four feet of wing overlap. Comprised of exciting loops, rolls, and solo passes as well as graceful nine-jet formations, the Snowbirds’ show includes more than 50 different formations and maneuvers in each 35-minute performance.
