Sun ‘n Fun – Lakeland, Florida. In the past, weather was an issue… but this year the skies were clear. It was hot, though. 90 degrees doesn’t sound so bad until you are walking around in it for about four hours.

First Stop: The Ultralight Area - better known as Paradise City. Ultralight pilots are a breed unto themselves, conjuring up visions of those intrepid airmen of the beginning of the century. The Ultralight Area in the past has always been buzzing with activity. Although the exhibitors did not seem to turn out in the numbers that we have seen in previous years, this year was no exception. If you want to see the unusual, you need to spend some time here.

Titan was flying two T51 Mustang replicas. When these aircraft are in the air, they look and sound like the real fighters of WWII.

There was the usual assortment of Quicksilvers, Challengers and the like, as well as a great assortment of new glass aircraft that all seemed to blend together after a while. We always try to seek out the unusual or innovative, after all, isn’t that what homebuilding is all about?

While lurking around the Kolb exhibit we ran across a unique looking aircraft simply marked “Electric Aircraft”. We could not find anyone to talk to about the plane, but with today’s fuel prices, it looked interesting.

The full-scale Sopwith Pup being displayed by Airdrome Aeroplanes looked extremely authentic, including machine gun, and powered by a Rotec radial engine.

Also on display… a Bleriot XI. This airplane would be good for someone who really wants to re-live a bygone era. I could picture myself attempting to cross the English Channel in this contraption and being scared out of my mind the entire 22-mile trip.

Next Stop: The Parts Tent. You can find anything you need or want here, from a ¾ scale LMA Taylorcraft to an airplane-shaped carnival ride. There is everything here from complete engines, to wheel pants, and everything in between. This is a must see every year.

From The Parts Tent, it was on to The Classic Area. There were the usual Champs, Cubs, Short Wing Pipers, etc., but the first plane to catch your eye was a beautiful Spartan Executive. If you have never seen one up close and personal before, you’ll be enthralled by the art deco styling and the truly classic lines.

Not far from the Spartan, the Swift Museum Foundation was raffling off an absolutely beautiful GC-1B Swift. Donations for a chance to win the Swift are $100.00. The aircraft will be awarded on October 4, 2008.

Next stop was The Warbird Area. The Air Force was out in full force. There were rows and rows of classic warbirds. Owners spend their lives caring for these birds and keeping them flying. As always, there was an abundance of T-6’s and T-34’s, as well as nearly every American bomber and liaison aircraft to serve with the armed forces.

The Air Show is always great at Sun ‘n Fun. This one started with a DC-3 doing a flyby with one engine shut down. After an in-air restart, the DC-3 did a series of high speed (?) passes.

Next up were the skydivers who always put on an amazing show with lots of smoke and the American flag. They were followed by numerous flybys of warbirds with simulated bombing runs, complete with loud explosions and pyrotechnics. After the warbirds did their part, the aerobatic performers took to the skies. With the air show performers list reading like a who’s who of aerobatics, there is something for everybody… from the Thunderbirds to Manfred Radius in his sailplane, with all of the big names, like Team Aeroshell and Sean Tucker.

After the air show it’s time to walk among the hundreds of exhibitors displaying their wares in The Exhibition Area. There were all of the big names like Piper, Cessna, Cirrus, etc. as well as many kit plane manufacturers showing off mostly aircraft that fit the LSA program. The inside areas were packed with people buying everything from GPS units to Sunglasses. There is virtually nothing that you can’t buy at Sun ‘n Fun.

Next-To-Last Stop: The AOPA big yellow tent on the way out. AOPA gave a lecture on medicals which was quite informative.

The next AOPA Sweepstakes plane? A beautiful Piper Archer II.

Last Stop: The Food Court. This is one area of Sun ‘n Fun that has grown every year. You can get anything your palate desires, including pizza, Italian sausage and ice cream. There was, however, a lack of seating and shade. Hopefully that is something which will be addressed next year.

Dean Westover, Contributing Editor & Photographer
dwestover@cfl.rr.com

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