Last week the world of aviation experienced one of the largest aviation events in the world: Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo. This event is Florida’s largest annual convention and welcomes over 200,000 aviation enthusiasts to Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL) for the event, affectionately known as “Spring Break for Pilots.”
This was the 48th anniversary of the expo, performing every year since 1974, excluding 2020. As we enter the post-COVID world, life has begun to return to the normalcy we once knew.
Like in years past, there were daily activities for spectators, from watching fly-bys and airshows to vendor exhibits, interactive activities, and even a career fair.
This year marked the highest turnout ever for the week-long event, already putting pressure on next year to break the record. Already anticipating a higher turnout than normal, organizers added an additional 15 acres of camping this year to accommodate the crowds.
Flying into Sun ‘n Fun is a unique experience, but camping next to your aircraft or even under its wing takes the fly-in to a whole new level.
Sun ‘n Fun front gate 2022. Photo credit: Selise Askeland.
Navigating the week-long aviation event
When planning to attend Sun ‘n Fun, make sure you get to the site early or be prepared for a long hike through the parking lot of the expo.
Thousands of aviators, young and old, were more than prepared to rush the gates and into the field for exploration.
Once you walk through the ticket gate, you follow the stream of enthusiasts to the more than 500 booths set up by vendors. Many hangars feature companies ready to educate, sell, and share aviation-related knowledge, products, and services. Some of the biggest names in general aviation attended the event to showcase new aircraft, including Daher, Diamond, Piper and Beechcraft.
RELATED: Daher unveils new TBM 960 at Sun ‘n Fun
Passing through this section, you move into Warbird Country, where you are met with some incredible and rare static displays, including the B-1, C-17, P-51 Mustangs, and BPY Catalina.
RELATED: Sun ‘n Fun attendees catch glimpse of rare P-51 Mustangs at static and in the air
USAF Thunderbirds at Sun ‘n Fun 2022 performance. Photo credit: Selise Askeland
Each day offered a new air show with performances by Patty Wagstaff, Lee Lauderback, Kyle Fowler, the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team, and the Thunderbirds.
This year the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds exhibition team was chosen to perform to mark the 75th anniversary of the Air Force. The Thunderbirds have not appeared at Sun ‘n Fun since 2016 but returned with flawless performances.
Sun ‘n Fun is shaping the future of aviation in more ways than one
The Expo acts as a benefit for the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), an Aerospace-themed summer camp and student outreach program. Established in 2014, this organization’s goal is to build a brighter future through aviation by educating, engaging, and accelerating the next generation of aviation professionals.
Local to the airport are ACE’s 14-building aerospace STEM facilities. This week I was able to tour the education center and museum, which showcased the incredible amenities available to attendees. ACE offers a simulation bay, 3D Printing Lab, and a 4-projector sphere lab.
Sun ‘n Fun is the largest fundraiser of the year in support of the Aerospace Center for Excellence, which helps provide a pathway for students into careers in the sciences, said John “Lites” Leenhouts, ACE’s former President and CEO. This year marked Leenhouts’ last Sun ‘n Fun as President.
A little less Sun but a whole lot of Fun
This year’s Sun ‘n Fun event attendees experienced every weather season in one week. Tuesday and Wednesday were hot and humid like a classic Floridian summer day. Thursday saw rainstorms all day as a cold front pushed in from the Gulf. By Friday, Spring had sprung with temperatures in the mid-70s, giving air shows the perfect backdrop of sunny skies.
But attendees weren’t off the hook just yet. Saturday saw significant wind and temperatures down in the 50s, causing multiple delays in activities. But the fly-in ended on a sunny note as the weather returned to normal for Sunday.
The event ended with its annual firework show, an incredible way to end the fantastic week of Sun ‘n Fun 2022.
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