The Blue Angels often touch wings in mid-air and create a buzz among air show spectators on the ground.
"You hear the roaring of the jet engines and stuff and planes doing things that normally you just don't do. It's kind of like an experience" said Perry Karnes who likes attending air shows.
But looming budget cuts in Washington means their appearance in this year's Lynchburg Regional Air Show may be up in the air. The Blue Angels canceled their appearance at a pair of shows in North Carolina and Virginia this week. Lynchburg event organizer Jones Stanley is getting a backup plan together.
"We're planning just like they're coming. I said we are going to do our work just like they are. We're planning just like they're coming and in the meantime, start thinking of alternatives just in case" said Jones Stanley, a retired Navy pilot.
He says if the Blue Angels continue to cancel shows it is likely to have a slight impact on military recruiting. Stanley says the recent air show cancellations may actually help bring more people to southwest Virginia area.
"People that live between that area that would normally attend those shows, would probably or likely come here. We do have other acts and people calling us that want to get in on our show" said Stanley.
"Obviously they're not as popular as the Blue Angels or the Thunderbirds, but they're certainly very popular acts and they put on a good show, and again there's the other side of that. It the blues don't come there's certainly the expense associated with them coming."
The Blue Angels pay their own way to air shows paying for their own fuel, lodging and expenses. The air show has to pay a $12,000 fee for the two day appearance. They are expected to know about the appearance on March 2nd.
