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AirShow cancellations net affect....

Odie

Odie

Charter Member
Disregarding the politics of it, thought this might interest since most of us do attend at least one airshow per year. It would be interesting to know what the full effect economically
is to communities. I know on our yearly trip to Oceana NAS, we usually leave about $2K in the area and leave with good memories and a have a fun time. Fortunately the Virginia Beach
area has tons of other things to see and do, plus you can lay out on the beach and still watch military a/c!

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/201...hout-military-jets-grounded-due-to-sequester/
 
Mixed feelings for me.

They cancelled the Indianapolis airshow for this reason, claiming the military demonstration teams account for 25-30% of their gate. Personally, I thought they should have gone on with the show because I'm more in that 70-75% patron range.
 
reading that artical is a bit disapointing to me.they make it sound as if the military doesnt participate,then its not worth going to an airshow at all..thats just not the case..as they did state..Oshkosh is a private pilot based show (if you will),ive never been but what ive read it seems to be about manufacturers and the business/private pilot..the military aspect is just a secondary part..bit big part of the enjoyment yes,,not not the focal point..we have three airshows here in my area,the EAA West Coast flyin at the yuba county airport,its alot of fun,lots of antique airplanes,homebuilts,they do have an airshow,this year will be mostly pitts and one P-51..and a group of AT-6s...there are allways warbirds,anything from stearman trainers to P-51s and even the OV-10 bronco out of reno,then there is the auburn airfair and the nevada county airfair,they trade off years..alternate.this year is nevada county,Calfire allways have the tankers and OV-10 on display and the pilots are there after 10am....and they do a take off and landing..sometimes with a waterdrop..if possible,,depends on fire activity,again,this show draws warbirds of all kinds,last time there was a beechcraft staggerwing..id never seen one restored before...was nice..plus there was a real storch in a hanger being restored...havent seen it since though..
and capitol california airshow..in the past the blues and thunderbirds have been there..now they have mostly the patriots and this year will be the snowbirds...last was the tora tora tora show..

anyway my point is..i dont believe the military is the backbone to the airshows..yes they are a HUGE draw..but a smart airshow promoter might think about going back to the old days
 
From the Facebook page of the Olympic Flight Museum:
OLYMPIC AIR SHOW RESCHEDULED FOR AUGUST 10-11, 2013

Due to sequestration, all participation of military aircraft at air shows around the nation has been cancelled this year. A change in the Air Show date was required in order to accommodate needed civilian performers. Nationally, over 35 air shows have cancelled due to sequestration. However, the Olympic Air Show directors have elected to rema...in committed to our region by hosting their annual air show despite the absence of military assets. The Olympic Air Show has been rescheduled for August 10-11, 2013 in order to accommodate the many civilian performers featured in the show which will also include increased performances by Olympic Flight Museum aircraft.

The family-friendly Olympic Air Show will celebrate its 15th year in 2013, and is the primary fundraiser for the Olympic Flight Museum. The event typically draws over 10,000 visitors to Tumwater, and generates tourism revenue in Thurston County. Participation of air and ground assets serves as a major draw for the event, and provides exciting entertainment for families at a reasonable price in a wholesome, patriotic, festival-like atmosphere.

​
To be honest, I'm not going to miss the military aircraft that much. When the museum first opened, the only aircraft attending the event were restored, civil aircraft. As the military performers increased, participation by restored P-51's and other warbirds decreased. I'm hoping to see them return in August.
 
Perhaps the larger air shows like Oshkosh can be successful w/o military demo teams. But smaller shows, in my opinion, can't. Speaking for myself, I won't go to one (such as the one in Punta Gorda), unless the Blues are there. Just my choice, is all...... NC
 
Navy Chief said:
Perhaps the larger air shows like Oshkosh can be successful w/o military demo teams.
Click to expand...

Oshkosh never really has the "teams" there due to airspace restrictions. In recent years there seems to have been fewer military jets around anyways. Airventure's problem is the commercialization of EAA and high gas prices. Between those two things, people just aren't flying in as much as they used to. It hasn't been the same since 9/11...
 
"Without those big, noisy jets, it's not quite the same event." Funny, I go because of the big noisy radials.
 
We've enjoyed both the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds every time we've seen them, however, I actually prefer the RCAF Snowbirds.

Because the Snowbirds CT-114 Tutors are less high performance, their shows are performed at a slower speed and in a smaller airspace. Granted they don't have the same WOW factor, but being able to watch the precision flying at a slower speed and in a smaller piece of sky is more enjoyable to me.
 
To be honest, the military teams aren't why I go to air shows. Having been stationed in Pensacola a few times, I've seen the Blues a heck of a lot. They even wrecked the tv antenna on my tugboat once off of Pensacola Beach during a practice for a show there.

I did like the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation paint schemes a couple of years ago though. But the radial engines do it for me too.
 
Oshkosh never really has the "teams" there due to airspace restrictions. In recent years there seems to have been fewer military jets around anyways. Airventure's problem is the commercialization of EAA and high gas prices. Between those two things, people just aren't flying in as much as they used to. It hasn't been the same since 9/11...
Click to expand...

True. Usually there is not much modern military stuff here. but it is still a huge week long event. And much to see.
 
If organisers of air shows in the USA rely on the presence of military aircraft to gauge the success or otherwise of their shows then I feel they are sadly mistaken.

Out here in Australia we have one major air show every 2 years that actually relies on military aircraft attendance. That is the Avalon Air show that had been held for many years now. Occasionally RAAF Williamtown of RAAF Richmond will hold an open day/weekend where they will put on a display of their current aircraft. Always in attendance is a clutch of warbirds from other eras as well.

The most active aviation museum in Australia is located at Temora in Southern NSW and holds a flying weekend almost monthly. Usually these weekends are themed with only certain taking part in the flying but all their aircraft are on display to the general public. Occasionally they change things and we will see current military aircraft like the Super FA-18 on show and putting on a display. The RAAF Roulettes aerobatic display team may also attend at least twice a year. Also regular visitors are the HARS Connie, Catalina, and DC-3/C-47

Each November they host Warbirds Downunder.

The RAAF also make aircraft available for our two major motor races each year. They are the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide and the Bathurst 1000 For the Super V8 race cars. Normally the Roulettes and an FA-18 display flying from the Edinburgh RAAF base just north of Adelaide. For Bathurst the Roulettes base themselves at Bathurst airport (YBTH) but the FA-18 flys across from Williamtown.
 
well the simple soloution is to just downsize and make them more personal and friendly and not just big ol' huge commercial hubs
 
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