Senior officials in the Defence Department want Canada's Snowbird team to continue flying its aging planes until 2020, despite concerns that they are a decade past their best-before date.

Officials say the plan will save money, but more than $100 million is needed to maintain and upgrade the CT-114s, which began flying in 1963.

The planes have appeared in air shows since 1971.

The plan contradicts internal military reports from as far back as 2003 that recommend the planes be replaced immediately.

Retired colonel Michel Drapeau acknowledged that the Snowbirds are a proud group of pilots, some of the best in the country, and are beloved by the Canadian people.

However, asking them to operate aging planes puts their lives at risk.

"Why would we want to put pilots at risk of losing their lives, and we've had a number of them over the years, for the only purpose of providing entertainment to the Canadian public?" Drapeau asked during an interview Wednesday on CTV Newsnet.

"They should only be called upon to put their life at risk when there is a requirement for the state, there is something which is vital for Canada to do."

Seven Snowbird pilots have died since 1972. The most recent casualty was Capt. Shawn McCaughey, who died in 2007 after his seat belt malfunctioned when he was flying upside down during an air show in Montana.

Many Snowbird pilots will have trained on more sophisticated aircraft and almost have to "step back in time" when they take controls of the CT-114, Drapeau said.

The technology is decades old and manufacturers are not putting money into keeping older models up-to-date, he said.

At the same time, Canada's aging fleet of CF-18s will soon need to be replaced, he said, which will cost billions of dollars.

"Now where should we put our emphasis? On aircrafts whose purpose it is to provide entertainment? Or on aircraft whose purpose it is to keep soldiers on the ground safe and our skies safe? You cannot do both at the same time."

With files from The Canadian Press