Days before the Canadian Forces Snowbirds took to the skies this month to begin their 41st air show season, SMARTRISK President and CEO, Philip Groff, was delighted to fly to Moose Jaw, Sask., to meet with the team. Dr. Groff follows in the footsteps of SMARTRISK founder - and Honorary Snowbird - Dr. Robert Conn, who began the tradition of visiting the Snowbirds annually, to ensure all new recruits get to know SMARTRISK and the special relationship we maintain.

The Snowbirds are founding Ambassadors of SMARTRISK. Our relationship with Canada's iconic air demonstration team dates back to 1994. In fact, the Tutor jets the pilots fly each have a SMARTRISK stickman logo painted on the aircraft behind the canopy.

On occasion, SMARTRISK has been asked why, since we're a charity dedicated to preventing injury and saving lives, we would link ourselves to a group with such a high-risk occupation. After all, the job duties specify that pilots must fly in formation just metres apart to entertain and impress audiences in Canada and around the world. Indeed, over the four-plus decades of Snowbird history, a total of eight pilots have lost their lives. Each time a pilot has crashed, however, an intensive investigation has been mounted and answers sought to help ensure a similar occurrence is avoided in the future. Contrast that to the thousands of injury deaths in Canada each year, few of which, sadly, are ever investigated to anywhere near the same extent in a search for lessons to lower the risk of similar such deaths.

SMARTRISK firmly believes the Snowbirds embody the very essence of our philosophy that smart risk-taking is an important part of an enriching and fulfilling life. Only the very best pilots are even considered for this highly skilled position. They live out our five messages of smart risk every day: Buckle Up, Look First, Wear the Gear, Get Trained and Drive Sober.

According to their website, as SMARTRISK Ambassadors, the Snowbirds "speak to students about managing risk. They talk about the importance of gear, training and attitude in preparation for each flight and the concentration needed to carry through their precision-timed manoeuvres."

SMARTRISK staff will join with the Snowbirds at a public event in Toronto in the leadup to the air show at the Canadian National Exhibition. We'll also be working together at a Gatineau, Que., event, bringing in a No Regrets Live show to coincide with an air show event. And at least one event is in the works involving No Regrets teams from six schools in the North Bay, Ont., area.

The Snowbirds will fly in about 55 shows in 31 locations across Canada and the United States this year. We encourage you to get out and enjoy this always exciting and impressive spectacle of smart risk taking.