Organizers Expect A 30 Percent Drop In Attendance

Organizers of the Dayton Air Show say that attendance could be down as much as 30 percent because there will be no military presence at the show this year. The show normally draws about 70,000 people over a weekend.

The Department of Defense has cancelled all military participation in civilian air shows due to sequestration.

For the first time in its 40-year history, the show at Dayton International Airport will have no military demonstrations or displays, according to a report from the Dayton Daily News. But it will still be held. Dayton Air Show General Manager Brenda Kerfoot said that there will be civilian static displays, as well as the opportunity to see such airplanes as a MiG-17 and the AeroShell Formation Acrobatic team  (pictured) perform. The CAF B-29 FIFI will also be a part of the show.

Also missing will be support personnel normally provided by Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton. Kerfoot said that the show will be supported this year by airport fixed-base operators and rental equipment.

FMI: www.daytonairshow.com