Warbird Information Exchange

Looks like WOH will be later in Oct and yet again NO Blue Angels, I like the TBs and SBs BUT I have not seen the Blues in ages. I know they had some problems the last time in Houston but come on!!!!!!

I recently spoke to Bill Roach (WOH Chairman) about this and he told me that we will probably host them in 2009.

Tim Landers
WOH Airshow Staff

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"If I had to fight the same war over again, I'd sure want to fight it from the cockpit of a Corsair."
-Archie Donahue

What were the problems? I can't remember the last time the Blues were here - in Houston.

I do remember a bird strike, but that may have been the TBs.

Thanks!
Tommy

They had airspace problems the last time the Blues were here. Sorry for the late reply. But I have only missed 2 Wings Over Houston Airshows and I have seen it all.

I believe it has to do with airspace at Houston's Hobby Airport. I recall a battle between the Blues and Hobby.

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Trae

For that particular show the #8 coordinator demanded ( and got ) a larger waivered airspace than the Blues had ever asked for. On that particular Saturday the wind shifted which canged the Hobby traffic pattern. The Blues decided that Hobby was now impinging on their airspace. They refused to fly. The A model Tomcat and the Nimrod stole the show.

Apparently the Blues were going to come back strong on Sunday but the bottom fell out of the sky. The whole show was cancelled. LOUD WORDS were exchanged between show management and the Blue's Boss.( I know, I heard them through the door and the wall!) The Blues stomped out to their planes and flew out in the most gawdawful conditions. They haven't been back, that was nine years they have been snubbing Houston but as I understand it they now want to come back because the Houston area has historically been a lucrative recruiting area for the Navy.

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

Maybe now that Hobby's 12-30 runway is currently closed, there won't be as many potential airspace conflicts. Unless that particular runway reopens before the show.

I've seen some really good flight demos at Ellington over the years, so it is possible to work around Hobby. It's just a matter of working out the differences and getting it done. No need for strong arm tactics - the ultimate goal is to put on a show for the fans, so put on a show.

I think the Snowbirds put on a better show than the Blues anyway - IMO!
If the Blues can't, or won't, perform, get someone else.

Tommy

Scratch that! 12R/30L is now active again at Hobby. I'm sure the 2 airports can work out an airspace agreement during WoH. They have in the past!

In any event it's going to be a Thunderbird year. The plan is that the Blues will come to Houston in 2009.

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"You cannot invade the mainland United States. There would be a rifle behind each blade of grass..."
Admiral Isoruku Yamamoto

What's the problem with ramp space? We have had several birds told that there wasn't room on the ramp for them, even when they were offering to come and fly on their own fuel.

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Mike

Mike they just don't want you!

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If God had wanted man to fly behind a flat motor, Pratt Whitney would've built one.

I'm beginning to feel unloved, DZ! I don't know, as of right now, of any CenTex aircraft that will be making WOH. The P-39 is on the stand-by list even.

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Mike

Heck the powers that be don't want the CAF to make any money off of the Houston Airshow, after all it was only their show until the city took over and hired the airshow coordinator (full time paid position) to give money to all the competition! Never understood that one. Heck your lucky to get fuel to take a CAF bird to Midland much less a private bird.

This year they are saying that only a few, select privately owned planes will get fuel, due to the high cost of it. I know of several who are going to go this year, but won't support the Midland show next year if they don't get fuel. What I can never figure out is why the little shows will pay the requested fees, give fuel & oil, room and transportation, but the big ones don't even want to give just fuel.

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Mike

Ober, bluehawk......check your PMs. I was gonna post a reply here, but this was one of those times that I shouldn't submit my opinion due to my job position.

Gary