There won’t be a distinctively painted CF-18 Hornet soaring over airshows in 2025.
The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) informed the International Council of Air Shows (ICAS) last week that a dedicated Hornet aerobatic aircraft will not be part of its demonstration program next year. Instead, the RCAF will showcase non-aerobatic tactical demonstrations with operational grey painted CF-18s from 4 Wing Cold Lake, Alta., and 3 Wing Bagotville, Que.
As it embarks on a modernization program not seen since the second World War, RCAF is managing the transition to new aircraft across many of its fleets by curtailing participation in some training events. That transition will affect many of the personnel, including aircrews and maintainers, at operational and training squadrons.
“The RCAF’s fighter force is no exception as it transitions to the fifth generation CF-35A,” the RCAF said in a statement, which the ICAS posted on Nov. 22, 2024.
“To commit more resources to this transition, for the 2025 Air Show season, the RCAF will not stand up its typical CF-18 Hornet Demonstration Team, but will instead showcase a small number of non-aerobatic tactical demonstrations.
“These demonstrations will be carried out by our highly skilled and trained CF-18 pilots … operating grey paint scheme CF-18s from the inventory available at the time of each air show. To limit the impact on the fighter force, it was also decided that the CF-18s will only attend a limited number of Canadian air shows [during the 2025] season.”
The decision comes after a show season in which the Demo Hornet paint scheme celebrated the RCAF’s centennial to airshow crowds across Canada, and in the U.S. and U.K. In July, the CF-18 Demonstration Team received two prestigious awards at the Royal International Air Tattoo in the U.K., including Best Livery and Best Solo Jet Display by Captain Caleb ‘Tango’ Robert.
The announcement leaves the Canadian Forces Snowbirds and their aging CT-114 Tutors as the only dedicated RCAF aerobatics team. The Snowbirds of 431 Air Demonstration Squadron wrapped up their 2024 show season with their annual Home Closer event at 15 Wing in Moose Jaw, Sask., on Oct. 18. The team will mark its 54th year in 2025.
“The RCAF remains committed to showcasing the talent, expertise, and dedication of its members to the greatest possible extent and looks forward to continuing its long and enduring relationship with the air show community,” the Air Force told ICAS.
No mention was made of a return of the CF-18 in 2026, when the RCAF expects to take delivery of its first four CF-35As to begin initial cadre training at the Pilot Training Centre at Luke Air Force Base.
A lot of air show fans will be disappointed. The CF-18 Hornet demo team gave the RCAF a high profile which will be greatly reduced by this move.
Amazing Photos!
Dout it
Will be sad but understandable.Good luck and happy hunting. I hope to see the demo team back with the Cf-35A.