PHOTOS: Snowbirds and Patrouille de France flyby over Parliament Hill

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The Snowbirds and Patrouille de France made a joint flyby over Parliament Hill Tuesday. (Howard Whiting/Lightchasers.ca)[/caption]

The RCAF Snowbirds and their French counterpart, Patrouille de France, conducted a joint flyby over Parliament Hill Tuesday morning.

The flyby was originally scheduled for Monday but cancelled because of poor weather.

The teams made two passes in a 17-plane formation, plus two chase planes for photography purposes. The Snowbirds flew nine CT-114 Tutor aircraft and the Patrouille de France flew eight Alpha jets.

They flew no lower than 152 metres above the highest point of the route and after the flyby proceeded to Montreal for another flyby in that city.

“The Royal Canadian Air Force is delighted to welcome the Patrouille de France to Canada as we celebrate Canada’s 150 years of Confederation,” said Lt. Gen. Mike Hood, commander of the RCAF, in a news release. “Canada and France have a profound connection, and our national air demonstration teams’ flying in formation is symbolic of our lasting friendship and alliance.” RCAF flyby Ottawa May 2