Sequestration concerns EAA AirVenture

OSHKOSH - The clock continues to tick in Washington toward scheduled budget cuts known this time as the "sequester."

The $85 billion in across-the-board cuts would take effect March 1.

Political leaders, like they did with the Fiscal Cliff January 1, are issuing dire warnings.

Pentagon officials are talking about the layoff of hundreds of thousands of civilian workers.

But they could also impact the EAA AirVenture show in Oshkosh this summer.

"I come every year to AirVenture," said Darin Bolton of Illinois.

Bolton doesn't miss the world's greatest aviation celebration. He's a, “Big military fan, absolutely." Who likes, "The fighter planes and the bombers."

And the United States Air Force Thunderbirds is one attraction Bolton is looking forward to.

"I have not had a chance to see the Thunderbirds since the 80s."

The Thunderbirds flight demonstration team is scheduled to appear at AirVenture this July. But AirVenture officials are closely watching sequestration talks in Washington. They are concerned the Thunderbirds could fall victim to the looming federal budget cuts.

"The way we are approaching this is a plan A and plan B," said Jim DiMatteo, EAA AirVenture vice president of features and attractions.

DiMatteo says plan A is the Thunderbirds arrive as scheduled.

"Plan B is essentially, if sequestration does not get resolved and the military does pull out in totality then we have that plan being worked on."

DiMatteo also says the sequester could affect government sponsored exhibits and demonstrations and even FAA staffing for AirVenture.

But he cautions, "It's too early to tell what will happen, they might come, they might not come, they might perform, they might not perform."

DiMatteo also says the air show will still be a world class event.

"That's not going to dilute our show at all; we are very excited about what is coming in 2013."

"I'm coming regardless, but that would be a nice bonus," said Bolton.

What he and thousands of others have come to expect.

We also reached out to the Green Bay Packers. The team uses the military for game day flyovers.
   
A team spokesperson says they aren't sure if game day flyovers will be affected.

The Packers typically contact units for availability for home games after the schedule comes out in April.