Source?A VAST majority of the American taxpayers don't give a rat's ass about Airshows and watching a bunch of guys march out to their airplanes and fly circles around in VFR conditions.
It is a military town. I will give you that in towns such as that, yes, other folks will be attracted to see that type of thing, but a VAST majority of Americans don't care.
Air Show attendance records are declining overall. Then 10-12 million over a year isn't that many folks. The 'Sound of Music Live' that aired last Thursday had 18.6 million viewers.
Not nearly as high as the one you are on.
So what? I don't agree with every veteran here, but I do respect his opinion. I will add that his experience comes from dealing with the Tbirds, which have a much bigger budget than the Blues do.
Every bit of evidence shows the contrary, the flight demonstration teams are wildly popular with Americans from every conceivable demographic.
About $0.08 each.
So, what to you think about my other cost saving measure, scrapping Old Ironsides?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Constitution
The maintenance budget for a ship that only leaves the dock once a year and the crew can be much better spent on actual fighting ships.
Source?
I think if we really want to save money, pull out of Iraq and Afghanistan INCLUDING all of the subcontractors.
Like actually... leave.
Source?
My anecdotal evidence is as valid as yours.
It is a Commissioned Naval Ship not a discretionary group that burns Jet-A flying circles around a large field of people. A lot cheaper to maintain a ship made of wood than an F-18 Hornet and C-130.
Once again, only about 4% of Americans actually attend Air Shows per year. That is about four to six million less than watched 'Sound of Music Live' last Thursday.
What's the difference?
She's a relic from the 18th century that wastes the cost of 60 active sailors, and only a handful of tourists even know that she still exists much less care. I'm willing to bet that the budget of that ship is several million dollars per year that could be going to "better" programs.
You willingly watched the Sound of Music?
Airshows are declining, overall. So, I would expect airshow attendance to be declining, overall. Comparing a live event to a television audience? Airshow attendance of 10-12 million doesn't fare poorly when compared to NFL attendance of 17 million.Air Show attendance records are declining overall. Then 10-12 million over a year isn't that many folks. The 'Sound of Music Live' that aired last Thursday had 18.6 million viewers.
I am willing to be that only a handful of Americans know what the Blue Angels and Thunderbirds are.
Your numbers might hold some water if the Blue Angels performed in every city, and even then, 4% of the population is a significant figure.Using @A Life Aloft statistic, say 12 million to 14 million a year attend Air Shows.
That is only about 4% of the American population attend Air Shows. That isn't that high. If people really gave a rat's ass, the percentage would be higher. More Air Shows have also been canceled over the last few years than new ones started.
"There's strong, then there's Army Strong. And fortunately for us, we still have the Marines..."The Army has a recruiting and marketing budget of over $800 million. What sticks out in your mind about their recruiting and marketing efforts?
The Army should have stuck with "Be all you can be". "An Army of one", "There's strong, then there's Army strong" - weak."There's strong, then there's Army Strong. And fortunately for us, we still have the Marines..."
Sacramento has the capital air show every year. The only people I knew who went, weren't pilots let alone care anything about aviation. My "statistic" is as useless as yours.:
Houston had a big air show a few months ago. Two people I know went to it. Both pilots. Not one person I am friends with outside of my aviation community went. The statistics can be skewed anyway one wants.
... Comparing a live event to a television audience? Airshow attendance of 10-12 million doesn't fare poorly when compared to NFL attendance of 17 million.