We talk with John Cudahy, President of the International Council of Air Shows.

The air show industry suffered last year under sequestration with the loss of the military demonstration teams. This year, however, many of the military performers are back, to the benefit of the military and the public. So now the focus is on contingency planning for any possible repeat of the loss of military performers.

We discuss the impact of rising fuel prices on the air show industry, how air show spectator satisfaction is measured, and the annual ICAS convention.

ICAS works to maintain safety at air shows, serves as an information resource on air show issues, provides for the training and continuing education needs of the members and air show professionals generally, and promotes the air show industry to the media, Corporate North America, and the general public.

The week’s aviation news:

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• Why high oil prices are actually good for airlines
  

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• An American plane in Iran explained by Tehran
  

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• F-35 fighter jet to make first trans-Atlantic flight in July
  

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• Spirit Airlines CEO Ben Baldanza responds to story about airline complaints
  

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• How Did He Survive? Teen Stowaway ‘Very, Very Lucky’
  

Cirrus SR20

In this week’s Australia Desk:

This week the guys are having some fun flying all over the countryside but still managed to bring in a quick report.

Steve and ATC Ben host the segment from the cockpit of a Cirrus SR20, VH-SJA, at 9000 feet and 162 knots on their way up to the annual NatFly event in Temora, New South Wales.  They chat briefly about the flight and the news this week that Avalon Airport in Victoria are trying to pitch themselves as “GA friendly†by offering “discounted†user fees.  And yes, they still charge a fortune to use that airport, along with Essendon, which they also operate.

Grant in his balloon

Grant also drops in with a quick report from on board his hot air balloon at 1,500 feet, which he was flying at Leeton in New South Wales, not too far away from Temora.  Sounds like he was having way too much fun!

Find more from Grant and Steve at the Plane Crazy Down Under podcast, and follow the show on Twitter at @pcdu. Steve’s at @stevevisscher and Grant at @falcon124.

Rob Mark’s Aviation Minute: This week Rob talks about his TSA pre-check experience.

Mentioned:

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• World War II Weekend, June 6-8, 2014, Mid-Atlantic Air Museum
  

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• Screamin’ Sasquatch Jet Waco Unveiled at ICAS. John Klatt Airshows new aircraft is a 1929 Taperwing Waco biplane powered by both a Pratt & Whitney 985 Wasp Junior radial and a GE J85 jet engine with 3,000 pounds of thrust.
  

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• Cranky Concierge
  

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• Report: Crew of British Airways flight from D/FW last fall needed five extinguishers to put out flames
  

Listen to the NBAA Flight Plan podcast from the National Business Aviation Association.

Opening and closing music courtesy Brother Love from the Album Of The Year CD. You can find his great music at www.brotherloverocks.com.