Category Archives: sun and fun

SUN ‘n FUN Welcomes Full Honda Product Lineup, Including HondaJet

Posted on by
SUN ‘n FUN Welcomes Full Honda Product Lineup, Including HondaJet
Lakeland, FL – The annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo is famous for being “Spring Break for Pilots”, bringing thousands of aviation enthusiasts from all over the world to Lakeland Linder Airport in Lakeland, Florida for 43 years. This year, Honda is teaming up with SUN ‘n FUN and Banyan Air Service to bring a unique and spectacular display. Known for its innovative and premium quality products across multiple industries, the Honda brand will be well represented in several exhibits and activities including, for the first time at SUN ‘n FUN, the fully certified HondaJet.
Honda Power Equipment has been a major sponsor and supporter of SUN ‘n FUN for many years, hosting a regular exhibit, supplying generators, remote lighting, landscaping power tools, and other critical equipment to help the SUN ‘n FUN organizers prepare for and service their massive event. For 2017, they will add an exciting display of Honda Power Sports and Honda Marine products to their area in the main Exhibit complex, and, in partnership with Banyan Air Service, they will host an airside display.
Banyan Air is excited to provide the first SUN ‘n FUN appearance of the HondaJet. The beautiful, recently certified HondaJet, world-renowned for its “Ultimate Balance of Innovation and Inspiration” will be joined by the Honda Generators-sponsored Race 90 T-6, a perennial top finisher at the storied “Fastest Motorsport on Earth” held at Stead Field, Nevada each year, along with Honda Marine, Honda Power Sports and Honda Auto exhibit on the Runway 5/23 display area showcasing the amazing depth of Honda products.
“We are truly excited to bring the wide array of Honda’s product lineup to SUN ‘n FUN 2017,” said Tom Pernice, Sr. Marketing Specialist for Honda Power Equipment. “Honda Power Equipment has been involved with SUN n FUN for years, but now show goers can see and appreciate the many items Honda manufactures, all in one place at an amazing venue. It is going to be really fun.”
Mike O’Keeffe, Senior Vice President of Banyan Air Service of Ft. Lauderdale, oversees the sales of the HondaJet as the regional dealer for the sleek new business aircraft. “SUN ‘n FUN is a great event, and we are very pleased to be a part of it this year to introduce the HondaJet to show attendees,” he said in a recent statement.
“Seeing it fly up close will really give people an excellent perspective of the cutting edge technology, refined and impressive performance. The SUN ‘n FUN airshow environment really lets the HondaJet show off.”
And fly it will, according to Greg Gibson, SUN ‘n FUN Director of Operations and Business Development. “SUN ‘n FUN is the perfect venue for the HondaJet to be presented. We have an educated and demanding crowd that expects to see the cutting-edge technology of today as well as the finest of aviation’s history, so we really have a treat for them this year. Honda is a great sponsor and supporter, and we are thrilled to have the HondaJet in the air and on display”
Gibson confirmed that not only will the HondaJet fly in the daily flyby showcase prior to the aerobatic airshow, but that it will be joined by the Race 90 T6 in a unique formation appearance of Honda branded aircraft.
On the ground product side, Honda will introduce Miimo, their new robotic lawn mower, which will be in operation at the Honda display near the Sunset Grille. The exhibit will display products from Honda Power Equipment, Honda Marine, and Honda Power Sports., In addition, attendees have the opportunity to register to win some great Honda prizes, including a Honda EU2000i Generator, a ride with the AeroShell Aerobatic Team, a Big Green Egg Prize Package, or a Richard Petty NASCAR Driving Experience.
Patrons can also look for Honda Charging Stations around the grounds. “Honda Power is there when and where you need it,” said Pernice, “so if you need to charge your mobile phone, camera or any other hand held electronic device, feel free to plug in for all the power you need to enjoy capturing and sharing the excitement at this year’s SUN ‘n FUN.”

The SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo is prepared for an action-packed show, which will include performances by the US Navy Blue Angels and the largest gathering of P-51 Mustangs in close to a decade. Air show and workshop schedules, camping reservations, registration for activities, and ticketing information can be found on the SUN ‘n FUN website at flysnf.org. As always, safety will be a top priority.

SUN ‘n FUN Evaluates Safety Protocol before Annual Fly-In

Posted on by
SUN ‘n FUN Evaluates Safety Protocol before Annual Fly-In
(March 9, 2017 Lakeland, FL) Thursday morning brought Lakeland’s finest to the SUN n FUN Expo Campus for their annual Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan meeting ahead of the 43rdannual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo, which will be held April 4-9, 2017.
Representatives from all of Polk County’s emergency response teams attended the meeting, which included an hour long mock drill. Jeff Wharton of the Lakeland Fire Department and Rick Savage, representing Life Net 5, led the course and drill. All SUN ‘n FUN staff members were required to attend the meeting and drill, and the 30-plus participants followed a carefully prepared procedure that has been developed in case of emergency during the fly-in.
The drill included a site-wide power outage and simultaneously a patron who was involved in a hit and run. The drill included Life Net 5 landing a helicopter on the campus to retrieve an injured spectator, Lakeland Fire Department fire trucks, and Lakeland Police Officers responding to the emergency in real time.
SUN ‘n FUN has always been dedicated to the safety of every person who enters of their campus and strives to improve safety regulations every year. John “Lites” Leenhouts, President and CEO of SUN ‘n FUN, knows how important safety protocols are and makes sure his staff is prepared for any emergency on the SUN ‘n FUN Expo Campus.
“Safety doesn’t happen by accident,” Leenhouts stated. “It’s the result of trained professionals acting with good judgement and procedures that govern good operations in the air and on the ground. Professionals don’t make mistakes.”
The staff working during the SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo utilizes many different techniques to reach the public in the event of an emergency. Patrons are encouraged to sign up for text message alerts, which will alert them to an emergency on the campus. They can also utilize social media to see updates on events in the area. New to the event this year, the campus will have jumbotrons on the airfield to prepare fans for weather alerts and emergency situations. The event will also include a siren on the campus for the first time. The siren will blare when there is a severe weather alert, warning people to move to an inside location on the campus.
Jeff Wharton believes drills are a great way to prepare for an emergency.
“Safety is the main goal for SUN ‘n FUN” Wharton said. “We want everyone to have a good time, but be aware of their surroundings. There are things during the fly-in that are not normal to an everyday theme park like airplanes, golf carts, four wheelers, etc.”
The SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo is prepared for an action-packed show, which will include performances by the US Navy Blue Angels and the world’s largest gathering of P-51 Mustangs in close to a decade. Air show and workshop schedules, camping reservations, registration for activities, and ticketing information can be found on the SUN ‘n FUN website at flysnf.org. As always, safety will be a top priority.
For more information on SUN ‘n FUN safety, please contact our office at 863-644-2431.
###
SUN ‘n FUN is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation, located on the grounds of the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, FL. Proceeds from all year-round events are returned to aviation-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) programs, activities and facilities, and used to support on-going scholarship funding
Jackie Jenkins
Communications Coordinator
Visit us online for a year full of events 
& mark your calendar for the 43rd Annual
SUN ’n FUN International Fly-In & Expo

April 4-9 | 2017

The Largest Assembly of P-51 Mustangs to Fly in Over a Decade during the 43rd Annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Exp

Posted on by
The Largest Assembly of P-51 Mustangs to Fly in Over a Decade during the 43rdAnnual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In & Expo
(February 16, 2017 Lakeland, FL) Located at the Kissimmee-Gateway airport just outside Orlando, FL, Stallion 51 has long been noted as the nation’s premiere provider of transition training in the famous WWII-era fighter, the North American P-51 Mustang. A unique facility, Stallion 51’s expert staff teach owners and pilots of these historic war machines to operate them safely and efficiently in the modern age. Since Stallion 51 came into being they have attended the annual SUN ‘n FUN International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, bringing their stable of Mustangs to the Warbird Flight line with Mr. Mustang himself, Lee Lauderback flying his signature Solo Mustang Demo routine in the air show. This year, Stallion 51 is celebrating their 30th Anniversary, and they have invited their many Mustang friends to SUN ‘n FUN to help celebrate and commemorate the occasion. 
On Wednesday, April 5th, 2017 Stallion 51’s invited guests will arrive impressive formation for what is promising to be the largest assembly of P-51 Mustangs in over a decade.
“It’s been over a decade since the world has seen this many P-51 Mustangs in one place at one time,” said Greg Gibson, Air Operations Director for SUN ‘n FUN. “We have the honor of not only hosting them, but helping our friends at Stallion 51 celebrate their 30th anniversary.”
Not since the famous Gathering of Mustangs and Legends in 2007 in Dayton, Ohio has there been such a showing of the famous Warbird, and with over 7 acres of pristine apron space at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport appropriately named “The Warbird Ramp”, the week-long SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In is the perfect venue for bringing this elite group together. Over 30 are expected, and the excitement over the arrival is building.
Gibson’s enthusiasm for the occasion is readily evident. “It’s a historic event, celebrating one of the most significant aircraft in history. To see them all together is overwhelming, but we have a real treat on Thursday for our SUN ‘n FUN guests: all of them will fly in the airshow at once!”
The flight demonstration will take place on Thursday, April 6th during the daily airshow, which begins around 2PM. This will coincide with the first appearance of the US Navy Blue Angels, scheduled to fly later that same day.
In 1987, Stallion 51 Corp. established itself as a unique aviation business that specializes in rare expensive vintage aircraft built on the dream and passion of the Lauderback brothers. Lee, Peter, Richard and John are the cornerstone of the Mustang world; restoring, operating and marketing the rarest of the breed. Thousands of people have shared the cockpit with founder and president, Lee Lauderback and his crew through the years, learning about the magic of the Merlin and the mystique behind the Mustang. At SUN ‘n FUN 2017, visitors will get to see the results of their passion as the thunder of Mustangs roar overhead in a spectacular display not to be missed.
For more information on this event, please contact Greg Gibson at GGibson@flysnf.org or call him at 863-644-2431. For more information on attending SUN ‘n FUN, please visit www.flysnf.org. For more information on Stallion 51, visit www.stallion51.com.

Photo credit to Stallion 51 –














Photo credit to Tony Granat Photography