Released in 1997, this $20 sterling silver coin is the sixth release in the RCM's second aviation series, Powered Flight in Canada: Beyond World War II. Celebrate Canada's aviation heroes and their groundbreaking achievements.

This piece honors the CT-114 Tutor and Edward Higgins, a former Vice-President of Canadair who served as the primary driving force behind the design and construction of the Tutor.

The Design

The reverse features the CT-114 Tutor in the foreground with the Snowbirds flying in diamond formation in the background and a 24-karat gold plated cameo portrait of Edward Higgins. The obverse features the effigy of Queen Elizabeth II by Dora de Pédery-Hunt.

The CT-114 Tutor Jet 

Team spirit, virtuosity, and devotion form the core ethos of the Canadian Forces Snowbirds, whose breathtaking aerobatic displays have captivated audiences worldwide.

Their aircraft of choice, the Canadair CT-114 Tutor, was originally designed in 1958 as an all-purpose jet trainer for military pilots. An all-metal, side-by-side two-seat monoplane powered by a single jet engine, the Tutor’s high maneuverability and relatively slow speed make it uniquely suited for precision aerobatics. Additionally, its finely tuned engine ensures the crisp, immediate throttle response required for low-level formation flying.