[MilCom] SNOWBIRDS Performance May 7, 2011

[Rob Berezowski]

Greetings everyone,

The Canadian Forces SNOWBIRDS got their show season off to a start on Saturday, May 7, 2011 with their Acceptance Performance, held at 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan for the military brass, as well as family and friends of the pilots. 

Although a good distance away, I was still able to monitor the performance from Regina. Due to the nice weather, the SNOWBIRDS performed their high show. 

The usual UHF air to air frequency of 272.1 was used during the performance. Also, to my surprise, their VHF air to air of 123.325 was also in use during the performance. I've been monitoring the SNOWBIRDS for many years, and I have never heard them use more than one air to air frequency during a performance. Before, they've always stayed on one air to air frequency for the entire performance. I know other teams, most notably the BLUE ANGELS, switch frequencies back and forth during a performance. So, it seems the SNOWBIRDS are now doing the same. 

The radios in the CT-114 Tutor aircraft used by the SNOWBIRDS have UHF on one side, and VHF on the other. Typically, when flying in formation they will have one side on the air to air, and the other monitoring the ATC frequency. If they are on a VHF ATC frequency, they will use a UHF air to air frequency. And vice versa, if they are on a UHF ATC frequency, they will be on a VHF air to air channel. 

So, if you are fortunate enough to be monitoring the SNOWBIRDS during one of their upcoming performances this season, you may want to keep the scanner scanning both their UHF air to air, and VHF air to air channels. During the acceptance performance, it seemed that "show centre" aircraft were on 272.1, while aircraft that were out of view of the crowd were on VHF 123.325, and of course would switch back to 272.1 when they were back at show centre. 

I'm not sure if this will continue for the next performances this season, only time will tell.

Regards,

Rob
Regina, Saskatchewan