Forum: Modern Military Aircraft

Budget crunch hits home

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Budget crunch hits home

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I've heard that flight demos are actually funded out of TDY, so some units will probably still fly a few.

Bummer. A good Warthog display can be such a show stealer.

The local airshow in my area was supposed to have Viper West and A-10 West for the 2012 airshow season. Maybe now we'll get a Raptor demo as a consolation prize! Not holding my breath....

Maybe youll get lucky and they will replace your demo team show with Tops In Blue.

Sweet !

How about we take a look at how much money flag officers cost taxpayers and examine the perks they get. Those douchebags are generally so far removed from the REAL military I question why we need some of them, and the field grades that serve them coffee, in the first place. There's a lot of waste in the military, I've seen it first hand. Personnel is one of the biggest expenses the military has and I think we should start chopping some of it, from the top and work our way down. Getting rid of all those dirt bags who continue to remain fat and not pass their fitness tests would also be a good way to save money. If we do this, then maybe we'll have enough money to continue the demo teams. I think they're a great way to give back to the taxpayer and show them they have amazing people doing amazing things in the name of their freedom.

Are you questioning the need for Red Flag or the officers in charge?

At least we still get the Raptor demo. Love'd it! Nock or wood. Doh

I've actually advocated for a joint-display, possibly consisting of 3 T-birds + 3 B Angels. The combined resources could maintain max number of airshows, not to mention it being an incredibly amazing and flat out cool Joint Services display.

Skip the F-22, the USAF only has so many pilots and operational aircraft now... put all remaining resources into training and upgrades.

And skip the F-15E air show too, I'll agree there... It's not nearly as impressive as the old F-15C display anyway.

But I'd actually consider a combined single F-16 + single F-18E dual display including chase, formation loops and some mock dogfight stuff for added effect - similar to how Polish Air Force displays a joint Mig-29 + F-16C show. Very entertaining and effective.

Mock dogfights would indeed be VERY cool. I am, however, as a prospective future Beagle driver, partial to the F-15E display, and believe I may have just seen one of the last Crying or Very sad

Geo, Your numbers are off.. again Wink

If you had a combined T-Bird & Blue Anges display, you would end up two mini-displays instead of one great one. These groups practice for YEARS to develop their routines and you cannot just hobble together a flight demonstration and expect the two groups to be able to work together.

There is also the issue of the maintenance and logistics chain being different also.

No one seems to come to geogen's defense very often but I will in this case. I think a joint Thunderbirds Blue Angels display could definitely be doable, though I agree that the logistical aspect would probably present the greatest challenge. Why would developing a new routine be a problem? These guys are top notch type A professionals that cycle in and out of these demo teams. I have no doubt that they could make it work. The question is would they?!? The Vipers would just have to slow things down a bit for the Hornets! Imagine the banter between the pilots! Thumb

BTW, weren't there a bunch of other posts on this thread? Am I missing something?

The poster started two threads on the same subject. The other one is here:

http://www.f-16.net/f-16_forum_viewtopic-t-16489.html (already requested to have them merged).

Forum: Modern Military Aircraft

USAF cuts airshows in 2012 / Only T-Birds and F-22 Remain