your reasoning is lost on me
No, what I'm saying is no different to any project management system. As the time line progresses there are lots of things to do, need to do, really have to do, love to do.
As you get closer to particular milestones depending upon the importance of said milestone, you tend to discard a lot of "love to do's" until you have time.
I would expect them to have their @arses hanging out to make sure they make this one. hence going off to an airshow is not on the radar.