The band, the football team, the honors program, hot lunches … and the Blue Angels.
Every year, a friend holds a BBQ at their home on Annapolis’ Severn River on the Naval Academy’s graduation day.
Why?
Because the Blue Angels put on an awesome show as part of the graduation ceremony.
Well, maybe not this year.
According to the Baltimore Business Journal: Blue Angels shows in Annapolis, Ocean City are jeopardized by sequestration.
I’m bummed … and a bit perplexed by the accounting.
The Feds claim the Navy will save $28 million.
Other than the fuel that the Angels burn, where’s the cost savings.
They’re not going to fire jettison the pilots or sell the planes, right?
Sounds like the Feds need a crash course on marginal accounting.
Thanks to SMH for feeding the bad news.
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Tags: Sequestration
The Homa Files 
February 22, 2013 at 4:18 pm |
They will save costs not only from the fuel burned in the show for both the jets and the C-130 (including RATO rockets and the two practices required for each show), but also for the transportation, food and lodging of over 100 Blue Angel folks associated with each show and media events. there are a lot of things you might not think of. For example, you have to have a current sattelite overhead shot of the airfield. Additionally there are the preparation and execution costs to the host and the productive time lost on the day of and during prep/teardown. I have hosted a Blue Angel show at NAS Sigonella Italy and I am glad we only did it once. it closed us down for three days. Normally there is no admission charge to recover costs. If they are cancelling multiple shows, I believe the savings.
February 23, 2013 at 12:02 pm |
They could “furlough” the pilots, like the airlines do. Lease the planes to a friendly neighbour. Even grounded aircraft cost money, as you start to have to change out the rotables.
Cost estimates for running a twin engined jet are about USD 10000 to 20000 per hour — I am guessing the Hornet would be at the upper end of the range!