Category Archives: Aviation

Sun ‘n Fun Cancels 2020 Expo

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Sun ‘n Fun Cancels 2020

For Immediate Release
April 1, 2020

Lakeland, Florida: Sun ‘n Fun Cancels 2020.  For over 45 Years, SUN ‘n FUN has brought millions of aerospace professionals, businesses, supporters and enthusiasts together each spring to celebrate the incredible wonder and limitless opportunities of flight. In 2014, we proudly unveiled that the annual SUN ‘n FUN event would become the primary fundraiser for the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), our STEM-based learning campus created to Engage, Educate, and Accelerate the Next Generation of Aerospace Professionals. At SUN ‘n FUN, serving our local Lakeland, Florida as well as the global aviation community has always been our ultimate mission.

This year, we will serve those same communities by assisting in the defeat of the COVID-19 pandemic. We stand with our local, state, and national leaders in supporting the social distancing and other health practices that will bring this outbreak to a halt as quickly as possible. Unfortunately supporting these initiatives will mean that the 2020 SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo will be unable to proceed as originally planned. Our website, www.flysnf.org, will soon have complete details for ticket holders and event partners.

The annual SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo provides over $2 million annually for STEM education programs, flight training and aerospace-related college scholarships, and hands-on learning facilities. Based on the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus, this year-round institution reaches over 50,000 students annually, and provides free resources for educators to assist them in delivering high-quality STEM learning material.

To continue providing these critical resources, our team is working hard on hosting the 2020 Aerospace Expo in a much different way. We will be utilizing digital technology to bring you exciting events and content online in new and innovative ways. While we are of course disappointed that our traditional show must wait until 2021, we are invigorated and excited to announce several things to look forward to in the coming weeks in our brand new “SUN ‘n FUN at Home” Series. Please visit www.flysnf.org for details. @SunnFunFlyIn

F-35, F-22, F-16 DEMO TEAMS

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F-35, F-22, F-16 DEMO TEAMS BRING SPEED AND POWER TO EAA AIRVENTURE OSHKOSH 2020 AIR SHOW SCHEDULE

Current military aircraft to fly solo performances plus memorable Heritage Flights

EAA AVIATION CENTER, OSHKOSH, Wisconsin — (March 31, 2020) — Current military fighter jets are among the most popular draws every year during the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh air shows, and the 2020 schedule lives up that reputation with demo teams with three of the top fighters in the U.S. military fleet. This year’s Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention features demo teams flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon, F-22 Raptor, and F-35 Lightning II throughout the week.

The 68th EAA fly-in convention, the World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration, is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

“As we continue to plan for a full AirVenture event this summer, EAA members and other attendees overwhelmingly tell us that they love to see the speed and power of modern military aircraft on display,” said Dennis Dunbar, director of AirVenture air show operations. “The pilots of these aircraft love flying at Oshkosh as well, as they know they are performing in front of one of the most knowledgeable and appreciative air show audiences they’ll find anywhere.”

The F-16 Viper Demonstration Team will fly its own performances and participate as part of the Air Force Heritage Flight program, which matches current military aircraft with legendary warbirds from previous eras such as World War II. It comes to Oshkosh from Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina.

The F-22 Raptor Demonstration Team demonstrates the abilities of the Lockheed Martin F-22, which was introduced by the Air Force in 1997 and is one of the premier air superiority fighter jets in the world. The demo team’s headquarters is at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia.

The F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team will also fly both solo and Heritage Flight performances with Capt. Kristin “Beo” Wolfe piloting. Capt. Wolfe is the Air Force first female F-35A Demo Team pilot and commander. It is based at Hill Air Force Base in Utah.

Exact dates and times of each demo team performance will be announced as they are finalized for AirVenture week, which features nine air shows over seven days, including two night air shows.

Coronavirus and Flying

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Coronavirus and flying your own aircraft.

Coronavirus and flying.  If you haven’t heard, Coronavirus is causing a few issues with aviation events, like Sun ‘n Fun (go to their website to get the details), which have been postponed or cancelled.

And of course, there are non-aviation events around the world that are being closed, postponed or cancelled.  It appears that traveling on airlines and crowds are two of the big issues.  Most of the “news” right now is about Coronavirus and flying on the airlines. The risks associated with large terminals with hundreds or thousands of people in close proximity.

While that is a problem for the majority of the public, there is more to aviation than just the airlines. Which brings up how important personal aviation is now! General aviation is a great way to fill in the gaps of travel.

Sure, we all need to practice safe behaviors and “social distancing” to protect ourselves and others.  Which is why flying your own aircraft is a way to actually keep you away from the crowds. For example, you only fly with known passengers and crew instead of people you have never met. It really gives a pilot a lot more control in this situation.

Just think, no more long security lines, mingling with hundreds or even thousands of other people, waiting to get on a commercial flight.

Remember, small local airports have fewer people and easier access.  Think about it, you can usually go through the gate to your airplane and fly out without much, if any, personal contact.  Yes, walking through the FBO there may be people, but its a lot fewer than at the commercial terminals.

Even in a time when the rest of the media would have us stay isolated and locked inside our homes, maybe it wouldn’t hurt to sneak out to the airport, stay away from crowds and go fly around the pattern, maybe make a few landings, just to relax and clear your head. Oh and don’t forget to wash your hands.

coronavirus and flying