Cancellation By Blue Angels Reportedly Deeply Hurt Army Air Field Museum Show's Bottom Line

Organizers of air shows at  the Millville Army Air Field Museum in New Jersey say they are done with "acrobatic jet teams" after a short-notice cancellation by the Navy's Blue Angels reportedly cut deeply into the show's bottom line.

The Navy's demonstration team cancelled appearances at several venues after the team recovered from a maneuver too low at an air show in Virginia in May. The comander of the Blue Angels has since stepped down from his post.

Organizers of the "Wheels and Wings" air show at the Millville Army Air Field Museum over the Memorial Day Weekend heavily promoted the Blue Angels, which are always a marquee act. They attributed some $100,000 in costs directly linked to bringing the team to the show, according to the website pressofatlanticcity.com. The show's organizers say the cancellation may have cost them tens of thousands of dollars, prompting the museum president to tell the press "(w)e will never have another jet team."

Lost revenues included jet fuel which would have been purchased from a local FBO, as well as the expense of 25 drums of smoke oil used by the aircraft during demonstrations. The museum is now trying to find a buyer for the 55 gallon drums of oil worth about $15,000.

The Navy will only reimburse the team's $12,000 per day appearance fee. Chief of Naval Air Training spokesman Lt. John Supple said organizations book the team at their own risk.

Wyble said in the future, the museum will rely on smaller acts and static displays. Their next event is scheduled for October 15th.

FMI: www.p47millville.org