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"

FMI: www.FrankKingstonSmith.com