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SUN ‘n FUN Planning 2015 annual event

Posted on December 8, 2014 by Scott Smith

Presented by Visit Florida, the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association and Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, the 41^st Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo will be held April 21-26, 2015 in Lakeland, Florida. An anticipated crowd of 200,000 people during the event will include more than 500 credentialed media, 500 exhibitors and guests from 80 different countries.

An International Jet Team, U.S. Military Jet Team and Warbirds will keep attendees entertained and educated. CEO & President John R. “Lites” Leenhouts is directing staff and volunteers to design this event as one that offers exciting ‘finds’ on the grounds and in the air that have been suggested by the aviation community. Themes used each day will combine Florida Day, World Aerobatics, Education, International Hospitality, Warbirds, Formations, Aviation Potpourri, Military, Florida Resident Day and more. “Dinner with Legends” (a fund-raising event for year-round education programs and scholarships), will feature big names from the sporting community who are also pilots. Lectures, workshops, continuing education credits for teachers, international food vendors, youth activities, and rides on aircraft like the Ford Tri-Motor round out the week for all attendees.

In 2015, there will be a mid-week twilight illuminated aviation airshow as well as a Saturday spectacular include fireworks. The 40^th anniversary for Air America will be celebrated in the Veterans Plaza. Celebrating “A Brighter Future through Aviation”, there will be an unveiling of a new “Piedmont Education Experience” as the only fully-functional aircraft classroom on a high school campus in the world. The Boeing 727 will also have a Bernie Little Memorial community meeting space.

For further information about how to become involved at SUN ‘n FUN as a volunteer, sponsor, partner, exhibitor, vendor or advertiser, visit www.sun-n-fun.org or call 863-644-2431.

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Aviation education experiences are offered year-round for students of all ages on the SUN ‘n FUN Convention Campus. Proceeds from any event at SUN ‘n FUN, a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation, are returned to STEM-based education programs and activities. Take time to visit Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum with your family.

EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2014 Summary

Posted on August 5, 2014 by Scott Smith

FACTS AND FIGURES

Comment from EAA Chairman Jack Pelton:

q “It was a tremendous week on many levels. We filled Wittman Regional Airport with aircraft for the first time in several years, with both aircraft camping and parking areas completely full at mid-week. The cooperation and support of the airport’s east side community made possible the historic first appearance of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds at Oshkosh, which brought in many people to our event. Exhibitors reported outstanding business throughout the week, with some selling out of product. We also had a tremendous amount of aviation innovation brought to Oshkosh with new airplanes and aviation technology, and our KidVenture youth area had a record attendance year.”

Attendance: More than 500,000, with a total attendance increase of five to six percent.

q Comment from Pelton: “Certainly the Thunderbirds’ first performances at Oshkosh helped the attendance, as Saturday and Sunday (August 2-3) saw 20 percent attendance increases from similar days in 2013. There was another factor, too – a renewed sense of optimism that was reflected in people coming to Oshkosh to celebrate the world of flight. You could feel it among the attendees, exhibitors and our 5,400 volunteers whose work made the event possible.”

Total aircraft: More than 10,000 aircraft arriving at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh and other airports in east-central Wisconsin.

Total showplanes: 2,649 (308 more than in 2013) – including 997 homebuilt aircraft, 1,050 vintage airplanes, 303 warbirds, 122 ultralights and light-sport aircraft, 91 seaplanes, 40 rotorcraft, 38 aerobatic aircraft and 8 hot-air balloons.

Commercial exhibitors: More than 790

International visitors registered:2,081 visitors registered from 69 nations, with Canada (505 visitors), Australia (416), and Brazil (194) the top three nations. (NOTE: This total includes only non-U.S. visitors registered at the International Visitors Tent, so the actual international contingent is undoubtedly larger.)

Media: 917 media representatives on-site, from five continents.

What’s ahead for 2015 (July 20-26)? Comment from Pelton:

q “We’re already planning for 2015, with more details coming as soon as we finalize them. Legendary aircraft innovator Burt Rutan indicated he would like to return to Oshkosh in 2015 to share some innovations with the aviation community. We’re eager to bring the soon-to-be-restored B-29 “Doc” here for a public showing as part of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. And, of course, there will be plenty of other highlights that you can only see at Oshkosh.”