A highly anticipated appearance by Canada’s Snowbirds is up in the air after the aerobatic outfit was temporarily grounded over equipment concerns.
But organizers of the local event say the renowned flying team hopes to honour a commitment to perform at Orillia’s waterfront on June 24.
“They are optimistic they will be okay for next week, let’s hope that comes through,” said the Community Foundation of Orillia and Area’s Wendy Timpano. “It is a wait and see.”
The team’s famed Tutor jets are on an “operational pause” following the discovery of a technical problem with the ejection seat system prior to a flight in Quebec on Friday.
The problem was detected on the ground during pre-flight testing, and no one was injured, the military reported.
Officials said the plane’s Ballistic Disconnect Link Assembly is designed to come apart automatically during an ejection, and that the cause of the problem remains unknown at this time.
“The equipment involved in the occurrence is being examined and the Air Force Directorate of Flight Safety has began an investigation as per standard procedure,” the military said in a statement.
The team is scheduled to attend a special ticketed reception at Casino Rama on June 23, followed the next day by a performance that is expected to draw thousands to Couchiching Beach Park.
Funds raised through corporate sponsorships and donations will go to support the local foundation, which uses the interest generated by its endowment funds to aid a variety of community groups.
Were the Snowbirds to cancel, organizers plan to hold activities and demonstrations at the park on June 24, and would like include a scheduled performance by the CF-18 Hornets.
“It would be a shortened show, but it would still be pretty exciting,” Timpano said.
The OPP Golden Helmets Precision Motorcycle Team is also slated to perform.
“That is a half hour show,” Timpano added. “And we have all the vendors and children’s activities.”
Orillia native Capt. Mark LaVerdiere is one of two solo pilots on the Snowbirds’ team of nine.
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