The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are one of the world's premier aerial outfits, and the pilots perform at about 65 air shows each summer. An estimated 3 million people are entertained each year by this elite squadron.

The elite unit has been flying the CT-114 Tutor jet since 1971.

The Snowbirds' website says the team is very confident flying the Tutor. "It is safe and performs extremely well as a demonstration aircraft."

However, the Snowbirds have made headlines -- for occasional wing clippings, emergency ejections, and now seven fatal crashes over the years:

1971: The Canadian Forces Snowbirds are established as an Air Demonstration Squadron, based in CFB Moose Jaw, Sask. and performing occasionally for the public. 

1972: Capt. Lloyd Waterer, 24, is killed during an air show in Trenton, Ontario.

1973: The Snowbirds expand their show to include aerobatic formation maneuvers. But they are not allowed to perform formation changes during these maneuvers.

1974: The team is cleared to fly a fully aerobatic formation display. That same year, the Snowbirds introduce their red and white paint scheme that is still used today.

1977: The Snowbirds are made a permanent unit, designated to as the Canadian Forces Air Demonstration Team (CFADT).

1978: The Snowbirds are given squadron status and designated as the 431 Air Demonstration Squadron. That same year, Capt. Gordon de Jong, 32, is killed during air show in Grande Prairie, Alberta.

1986: The team performs as part of opening and closing day celebrations at Expo 86.

1989: Capt. Shane Antaya, 26, is killed during an air show at the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto.

1990: The team celebrates its 20th Anniversary with the introduction of red and white smoke in its display for the first time.

1991: A Snowbird crashes during routing training flight near Moose Jaw. Two pilots escape serious injury.

1992: Two pilots eject safely near Bagotville, Quebec. By the end of the 1992 airshow season, more than 70 million spectators across North America have watched the team perform.

1994: Two pilots suffer minor injuries after ejecting near Moose Jaw.

1997: Two jets touch wingtips in mid-air during flights in Glen Falls, N.Y. There were no injuries.

1998: Capt. Michael VandenBos, 29, is killed during a routine training mission just south of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan.

2000: Two jets sustained minor damage when the wing of one aircraft grazed the tail of another on the way to an air show. There are no injuries.

2001: Two Snowbirds collide while practising formation before air show in London, Ontario. One jet plunges into Lake Erie. Two pilots are plucked from the chilly waters.

2004: Two Snowbirds collide mid-air over Mossbank, Saskatchewan. Capt. Miles Selby, 31 is killed. Capt. Chuck Mallett is injured.

2005: Capt. Andrew Mackay ejects from his aircraft over Thunder Bay, Ont., after losing thrust. The jet crashes in a vacant field. Mackay is treated in hospital and released.

2007: A Canadian Forces Snowbird plane crashed during a rehearsal for an air show in Malmstrom, Montana.  Capt. Shawn McCaughey is the sixth fatality in the Snowbirds' history.

2008: A pilot and a military photographer died in a Snowbird jet crash at a base in Saskatchewan. They were on a routine training mission when the accident happened.