Fri, Feb 14, 2003
ANN Readers Bring Perspective to every
aviation issue. While those of us who love airshows can be sorely
disappointed when a show gets canceled, it's a real problem for the
folks on the other side of the fence -- the performers. We seldom
consider the enormous consequences of cancellations -- the
logistics, the lost revenue (and the possible passing-up of a
paying venue) -- even the advance expenses these performers incur.
The golden-voiced Frank Kingston Smith gives us a glimpse into that
world:
This
is a tough season for a load of performers as well as the shows
they fly. That most civilian shows support charitable organizations
is only one side of the story. Civil performers such as I
-- fortunately, my equipment is my voice -- take
a hit when a show's legs are cut out from beneath them... and us.
Pilot-owners put an awful lot of cash into their planes; the outlay
is reccovered over the course of a season. But beginning with 9-11,
so many shows have been canceled that outright that recovery is now
two and a half years behind. The pilots still have to do the
ultimate in maintenence and pay huge insurance bills. I have yet to
find an insurance carrier who says: "Oh, eight of your shows
canceled? We'll give you back $3,000 of what you paid in
premiums."
As for fear of being shot down by friendly fire... last year at
Andrews AFB where I have announced for the past six years, the
world-famous Lima Lima squadron of six T-34s was offsite following
their usual early launch. They formed into the Delta formation and
were flying large circles and lazy eights to the southeast,
awaiting their on-stage time. Some sharp eye at NORAD saw this
formation "of unknown aircraft doing strange things" near
Washington D.C. and scrambled F-15s to intercept.
Of course Lima Lima was on the waiver and doing exactly what had
been briefed. It took some fast phone calls between the Anddrews
facility and NORAD to explain that it was a formation of Korean
War-era trainers flown by airline pilots and we KNEW who they were
and what they were doing. [Wayne Boggs, the show's air boss,
fortunately explained that the T-34s, doing 120 knots, were no
threat, and were on a waiver, performing prescribed maneuvers
--ed.]
By the way, Andrews is still planning to do the show. Security's
their problem, not getting airplanes. Last year, they put people on
buses at FedEx Field, sealed the buses, and drove them in to the
show. Maybe only Saturday will be open to the public, but the
concessionaires say they're on for the whole three-day show.
Charleston (SC), the C-17 base, is on, too. Patuxent is also a
'go.' --Frank Kingston Smith "One FINE Announcer"
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