Only A Few Get Major Jet Teams, Other Military Aircraft Making Limited Appearances

Air shows around the country are continuing to feel the effects of cuts to the defense budget, as appearances by military aircraft are becoming more and more rare.

Admittedly, it's better than last year, when everything military was grounded through the air show season. Some shows, like the Indianapolis Air Show, decided to pack up their operation until further notice after losing the jet demonstrations teams as headline acts last year.

This year, the Navy’s Blue Angels and the Air Force Thunderbirds are back on the circuit, but that accounts for only about 75 of the 275 air shows around the country during the season. The Navy Times reports that, according to John Cudahy, president of the International Council of Air Shows, some shows, particularly smaller venues, are "starving to death for a military performance."

Notably, the F/A-18 Hornet will not be making any single-aircraft performances this year. Others are limited to events at military bases, and some, like the AV-8B Harrier and V-22 Osprey, will make only a handful of appearances.

Cudahy (pictured) did say that, with the F-22 program under close scrutiny by Congressional appropriators, it will be making about 20 appearances around the country this year. But the A-10 Thunderbolt is nowhere to be seen on air show schedules ... in part because it's been on the Air Force chopping block, Cudahy said.

Cudahy told The Navy Times that there are other acts trying to fill the void, including the Breitling Jet Team, vintage warbirds, and so-called "monster aircraft" like the recently introduced "Screamin Sasquatch." And, he said, the Canadian Snowbirds have increased the number of U.S. performances this year.

But he said overall, the participation by the U.S. military in civilian air shows is down by about half, and when static displays are factored in, that climbs to about 70 percent.

FMI: www.airshows.aero