Fact check: How much does it cost the blue angels to put on a weekend show with 6 hours of flight time?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the available analyses, the cost of a Blue Angels weekend show with 6 hours of flight time varies significantly depending on the calculation method used. The most detailed breakdown comes from operational costs:

• Flight operations alone: Using F/A-18 Super Hornet hourly costs of $17,838-$21,288 per hour, a 6-hour show would cost approximately $107,028-$127,728 for the fighter jets, plus $51,654 for the C-130 "Fat Albert" aircraft ^[1]
• Alternative estimate: Another source suggests each flight hour costs at least $60,000, which would total $360,000 for 6 hours of flight time ^[2]
• Local production costs: Air show venues typically pay $150,000 to host a Blue Angels show ^[3], while bases can spend $100,000 on air shows ^[4]
• Sponsor fees: Civilian sponsors pay a $6,000 fee per show day ^[1]

The Blue Angels' annual operating budget is approximately $36-40 million covering all shows and practices throughout the year ^{[1] [5]}.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks several important contextual factors:

• Total program value: The 11-jet Blue Angels fleet is worth more than $700 million ^[5], representing a massive taxpayer investment beyond operational costs
• Budget impact: The cancellation of Blue Angels' 2013 appearances saved the Department of Defense around $20 million ^[6], demonstrating the significant cumulative cost of the program
• Cost distribution: The analyses reveal that costs are shared between federal taxpayers (who fund the $36-40 million annual budget), local sponsors (who pay venue fees), and local governments (who contribute to production costs) ^{[3] [1]}
• Opportunity cost debate: Critics argue these expensive flyovers represent misplaced military spending priorities, especially during times when resources could be directed toward other needs ^[2]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question appears neutral and factual, seeking specific cost information. However, it omits the broader financial context that would help citizens understand the full taxpayer investment. The question focuses narrowly on a single weekend show rather than acknowledging:

• The massive annual program costs of $36-40 million ^{[1] [5]}
• The fleet valuation exceeding $700 million ^[5]
• The shared cost structure between federal and local funding sources ^{[3] [1]}

Military leadership and defense contractors benefit from public focus on individual show costs rather than total program expenses, as smaller numbers may generate less taxpayer scrutiny of the overall investment in demonstration squadrons.