OTTAWA — Canada's grounded Snowbirds are go to fly again.

The Department of National Defence said the iconic, precision-flying aerobatic team would be back in action this weekend in St. Thomas, Ont., after being grounded just over a week ago due to problems with the military jet's seat lap belt system.

"The Snowbirds have been cleared to resume flying operations and carry on with their season," Maj.-Gen. Marcel Duval said in a statement Saturday.

"The operational pause that affected them was put in place as a safety precaution, and validates the processes we have in place... to ensure the safety of our personnel."

The military grounded the Snowbirds' Tutor jets and other aircraft that share the same seat system on June 12 after a problem was detected in the disconnect link assembly designed to automatically come apart if a pilot needs to eject during a flight.

Spokesman Lt. David Lavallee said the problem was detected in the regular pre-flight check as the team was preparing for a show in Bagotville, Que.

He said the cause of the problem was still unknown and under investigation, but that all the necessary work inspections and overhaul of the lap belts had been completed to ensure they were safe to go.

"They have been able to screen the affected equipment and ensure that it will operate properly and now they've been cleared to fly," he said.

The Snowbirds are scheduled to perform across Canada throughout the summer, including a flyby in the nation's capital for Canada Day celebrations.

Lavalee said the ground order was issued on 25 Tutor jets operated by the military, including 20 that belong to the Snowbirds fleet, a Hawk One F-86 Sabre and a CT-133 flown by the National Research Council.

The Snowbirds have had been a crowd pleaser since their formation in 1971, entertaining thousands with their aerobatic manoeuvres that display the skill of the pilots and dexterity of the Tutor jets.

In 2006, Canada Post released two 51-cent stamps commemorating the team's 35th anniversary, and the mint released a commemorative $5 silver coin.

But the Snowbirds have also been marred by a series of accidents, including eight deaths, the last two coming last October when a Tutor jet crashed near the Snowbirds' home base of 15 Wing Moose Jaw, Sask., on a routine, non-exhibition flight.