Quote Originally Posted by Tom Steber View Post
I have been told for years that we couldn't have a jet team like the Thunderbirds/Blue Angels fly their routine at Oshkosh because of the airspace. And the close proximity to the surrounding neighborhoods. But yet, I remember seeing the Snowbirds (in either the late 70's or early 80's) and Frecce Tricolori (mid 80's) fly their whole routines.
The rules regarding air shows have changed substantially since the full jet team performances allowed in the '70s and '80's, plus there's been more buildup around the airport, so it's a whole new ballgame these days. But here are the basics, last I checked:

1. Jet's are Category I.
2. Category I aircraft performing aerobatics need an aerobatic area devoid of non-essential people that's at least 1500' from the show line on each side (so, 3000 feet total), although under some circumstances, one side of that can be reduced to 1200' (so, 2700 feet total).
3. Length of the aerobatic area can vary, but the jet teams usually have a 6000 foot minimum.

So, for the Thunderbirds to perform an aerobatic routine at OSH, a way would have to be found to provide them an area with minimum dimensions of 6000' x 2700', that could be rendered sterile of all people during the performance. Buildings, roads, parked airplanes, etc., are all okay-- there just can't be any people there. The placement of the runway doesn't matter, as long as it's at least 500' from people.

Trivia: I can't tell you exactly when the rules regarding jet aerobatics changed, but it was in the mid to late '80's. I was sitting next to Bob Hoover at the HoJo's bar when he was told about it, by a pair of embarrassed GADO (now FSDO) IIC's, tasked by the FAA to explain to BOB HOOVER that, even though he'd brought the Sabreliner to the show planning to do his full aerobatic routine in it, they were not going to allow it. The ensuing conversation was, um, "interesting"-- and, as we all know, not Bob's last encounter with the FSDO muckety-mucks bureaucratic wonderland.

For those interested in learning more about the requirements to obtain waivered airspace for an air show, use Google to find a copy of FAA Order 8900.1, Volume 3, Chapter 6:

ISSUE A CERTIFICATE OF WAIVER OR AUTHORIZATION FOR AN AVIATION EVENT