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Unmanned and Sunny Drone Education Event
Unmanned and Sunny Drone Education Event
Aerospace Center for Excellence will host Unmanned and Sunny on Wednesday, July 13, 2016 from 1 – 4 p.m. at Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum, located on the Sun ‘n Fun Expo Campus 4175 Medulla Rd., Lakeland, Fla.
Unmanned and Sunny is a free drone education and awareness event for the public to learn about safe drone operation and the upcoming career opportunities that exist in the drone industry.
Share-A-Flight – Need A Ride? Have A Seat?
Knight Named Sun ‘n Fun Board Chair Succeeding Eickhoff
he chairmanship, vacated by the retirement of Bill Eickhoff, who served for the past 28 years as steward of the Sun ‘n Fun organization and its development as a highly respected not-for-profit enterprise within both the greater Lakeland area and the national and international general aviation communitThe Sun ‘n Fun Board of Directors elected Bob Knight, President of Knight Industrial Equipment, Inc. of Lakeland, Fla., as its chairman at their January board meeting. Bob assumes t
Bob Knight assumes the Sun ‘n Fun chairmanship after serving on the board for the past 10 years and most recently as its vice-chairman. He has been a highly engaged member of the board serving, among many duties, as the chairman of the board’s Master Site Planning Committee. The committee has overseen significant development in Sun ‘n Fun’s educational mission culminating last year in the dedication of the Central Florida Aerospace Academy (high school) on its year-round campus and the current construction of the Piedmont Aerospace & Technology Laboratory addition to its Florida Air Museum’s Tom Davis Educational Center.
Wild Weather at Sun 'n Fun
By Ed Downs
Photos Courtesy of EAA
(EAA Photo)This April edition of In Flight USA is going to press just as information is being received regarding a severe storm, now being reported as an F1 Tornado that hit the Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In and Air Show site at Lakeland’s Linder Regional Airport. It is now known that some 15 attendees and/or exhibitors received injuries ranging from minor scrapes and abrasions to broken bones. Forty to 50 aircraft were seriously damaged or destroyed. These aircraft included those on display by vendors and many visitor airplanes, including homebuilts and classics. Numerous vendor tents and displays were destroyed. The staff at In Flight USA wishes to extend our best wishes for a speedy recovery from personal injuries and a 
(EAA Photo)successful financial recovery from the enormous financial strain such a disaster places on all affected.
Our April cover, the Legend Cub, an S-LSA manufactured by American Legend Aviation of Sulfur Springs, Texas, represents a snapshot of the courage and tenacity of the vendors who have been hit hard by this storm. Dave Graham, Director of Marketing for American Legend, commented, “We knew storms were on the way and secured everything the best we could. When it did hit, there was little warning. Our team rushed inside our display tent and hung on for dear life. I can now say that I have soloed a tent!”
The Official Word From Sun 'n Fun: All Safe, Property Damage Extensive
As of In Flight USA’s deadline on Friday, April 1, there were only minor injuries suffered by people on the ground, however, damage to aircraft and property was extensive following a severe weather system that ravaged the Lakeland area on Thursday, March 31.
US Navy “Blue Angels” to Perform at Sun ‘n Fun
(Courtesy of U.S. Navy Blue Angels)The United States Navy’s (USN) “Blue Angels” military jet demonstration team will be the featured air show performers at this year’s Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In & Expo, which will be held March 29 - April 3 on its campus at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida.
“Sun ‘n Fun is honored and excited to host one of the world’s most recognized military jet teams – the Blue Angels – and to recognize the 100th anniversary of Naval aviation during our 2011 event,” said Sun ’n Fun President John Burton. “Their participation will add to the exciting array of aircraft and activities already planned for Sun ’n Fun’s 37th annual celebration. We’re excited about having the Blue Angels take to the skies over Lakeland, especially as they perform their aerial magic for our attendees and area guests.”
F-22 Raptor Returns to Perform at Sun 'n Fun
Lt. Col. James Hecker flies over Fort Monroe before delivering the first operational F/A-22 Raptor to its permanent home at Langley Air Force Base, Va., on May 12. This is the first of 26 Raptors to be delivered to the 27th Fighter Squadron. The Raptor program is managed by the F/A-22 System Program Office at Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. Colonel Hecker is the squadron’s commander. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Ben Bloker)The world’s only operational fifth-generation fighter aircraft – the F-22 “Raptor” – will return to the Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In & Expo, which will be held March 29 to April 3 on its campus at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida. Considered the U.S. Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft, the F-22 Raptor utilizes a unique combination of supersonic speed, stealth technology, a “see-it-to-believe-it” maneuverability, integrated avionics and improved supportability that represents an exponential leap in warfighting capabilities.
“We were honored to be the first civilian aviation event to host this amazing fighter jet and we are honored to welcome it back to Sun ’n Fun this year,” said Sun ’n Fun President and Convention Chairman John Burton. “Whether or not you’ve seen the Raptor fly before, it will be well worth the effort to see it fly at Sun ’n Fun. Fighter jets are capable of some pretty amazing things but this aircraft exceeds even the highest expectations. We can’t wait to see it fly again!”
Sun 'n Fun Recognizes 20th Anniversary of Operation Desert Storm
The 20th anniversary of “Operation Desert Storm” will be recognized during the 37th annual Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In and Expo. This year’s Fly-In will take place March 29 to April 3 at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Fla.
United States Army Brigadier General Rhonda Cornum and her husband, United States Air Force Brig. Gen. Kory Cornum, both served in Desert Storm and will provide their unique perspectives on the military strategies and their successful conclusion during the First Persian Gulf War.
“It’s hard to believe that it’s been 20 years since Desert Storm,” said Sun ’n Fun President and Convention Chairman John Burton. “We are honored to have these two high-ranking military veterans who so honorably served in Desert Storm and who remain in service to our country to this day. Their program will be one that Sun ’n Fun participants and guests will be talking about for a long time.”
Sport Flying With In Flight USA - April 2010
The LSA’s of Sun ‘n Fun
By Ed Downs
Many readers will be at the 2010 Sun ‘n Fun Airshow, or will be following reports of this event over the next few months. With more than 100 S-LSA offerings now available, trying to decide which of these great airplanes will be best for personal use or flight training is challenging. You may be asking yourself, does this S-LSA really meet the industry consensus standards (referred to as “ASTM Standards”) and is the manufacturer ready to support the plane, long term? The concern of continuing support is especially important for S-LSA’s being imported from distant lands.
Sun 'N Fun Opens New Exhibit Hanger
The Popular “Parts Exchange” Moves Nearby
The campus of the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In & Expo will have a slightly different look for this year’s 36th annual event, which will be held April 13 – 18 at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Fla.
Sun ‘n Fun officials announced this past fall they would be opening a new Exhibit Hangar for this year’s International Fly-In & Expo and this month announced that the popular “Parts Exchange” aviation consignment operation would be relocated adjacent to the newly commissioned exhibit facility.