LAKELAND — Thousand of aviation fanatics are anticipated to flock to Lakeland subsequent month for one of many largest airshows within the U.S. that continues to develop.
The Sun ‘n Fun 2022 Aerospace Expo will likely be held April 5 -10 on the grounds of Lakeland Linder International Airport. The forty eighth annual occasion is a profit for the Aerospace Center for Excellence, additionally known as ACE. The nonprofit gives schooling within the sciences, expertise, engineering and arithmetic notably associated to the aerospace trade.
“This is our largest fundraiser of the year in support of the Aerospace Center for Excellence, which provides a pathway for students into careers in the sciences,” stated John “Lites” Leenhouts, ACE’s CEO and president.
Leenhouts stated this yr’s purpose is to lift funds to construct a state-of-the-art media heart the place college students can have the tools to supply STEM schooling movies. The intention is to share these movies with others throughout the state and nation to spur curiosity within the aerospace trade and sciences.
“We have all this technology, and if only the people who can drive here can see it, it doesn’t seem fair, does it?” he stated.
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This yr’s occasions will likely be a return to normalcy as Sun ‘n Fun won’t have any of the COVID rules carried out in 2020. No face masks will likely be required at indoor reveals and social distancing will likely be voluntary. No proof of vaccination is required to attend the expo.
Leenhouts informed The Ledger that he is hoping it will result in a even bigger crowd than final yr’s record-breaking attendance. Organizers are ready with about 15 acres of further tenting area put aside on the airport’s grounds and more parking fields to the east to accommodate the weekend crowds.
Sun ‘n Fun’s 2020 expo has a lineup that features long-awaited fan favorites alongside new planes.
Thunderbirds return
The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds exhibition group will take to Lakeland’s skies to carry out right here for the primary time since 2016. It’s simply in time to mark the seventy fifth anniversary of the Air Force.
The Thunderbirds had been scheduled to carry out on the 2018 expo till tragedy struck. One of their pilots, Maj. Stephen Del Bagno, was killed when his F-16 Fighting Falcon crashed throughout a routine coaching flight. The Air Force canceled the high-precision efficiency group’s subsequent two air exhibits — which included Sun ‘n Fun.
Last yr, the Thunderbirds could possibly be seen on a short fly-by to salute the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels on their seventy fifth anniversary however didn’t participate in any exhibits.
The Thunderbirds are scheduled to carry out within the afternoon exhibits beginning at 1:30 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday through the occasion.
Drones double down
Sun ‘n Fun followers had the chance to see the Great Lakes Drone Co. in motion for the primary time final yr. Synchronized drones crammed the skies in a “Star Spangled Spectacular” as a part of the nighttime air exhibits.
“It was fabulous,” Leenhouts stated.
The Michigan-based firm has been invited again for a 3rd time. This yr, the corporate has promised to roughly double the variety of drones within the sky, Leenhouts stated, growing the scale and designs it is able to rendering.
The expo’s earlier Drone Zone, an space devoted to drone fanatics and associated aerospace engineering won’t return.
Fan favs with new stunts
The Phillips 66 Aerostars are coming again to Sun ‘n Fun with new aerobatic strikes they hope will thrill the crowds. The group features three pilots: Harvey “Boss” Meek, Paul “Rocket” Hornick and Gerry “Fossil” Molidor.
The up to date routine features more inverted flying formations.
“We are moving through the sky at 250 miles per hour,” Meek stated in a press launch. “There is a very high level of concentration. Flying inverted is counterintuitive because your controls are opposite of anything else you have ever flown or drove.”
Super Hornet
Aviation fanatics who missed the Blue Angels’ debut of the Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets have not missed out.
Navy Lt. Zach Drum, a Winter Haven native, will likely be performing on this yr’s airshow in his Super Hornet. It’s the primary time a Polk County resident has piloted a Super Hornet on the expo, Leenhouts stated.
Drum is slated to carry out within the afternoon air exhibits from Friday to Sunday.
Flying excessive
For the primary time, Sun ‘n Fun attendees can have the choice of reserving a passenger flight on two historic World War II planes. There would be the Boeing B-29 Superfortress “Doc” and the Experimental Aircraft Association’s B-25 Berlin Express.
“Bringing these two historic and iconic warbirds together to honor the legacy of those who designed, built, flew and maintained these aircraft will be a unique and one-of-a-kind event,” stated Josh Wells, B-29 Doc government director and common supervisor in a information launch. “We are excited to partner with the EAA team to continue our joint mission of honoring the Greatest Generation.”
The B-29 “Doc” is considered one of solely two planes of its variety nonetheless capable of fly, out of the 1000’s constructed. The aircraft was rescue and restored from a U.S. Navy air station in China Lake, the place it was being utilized by pilots for goal observe, Leenhouts stated.
“At one time in the ’70s I bombed it,” he stated. “It was our target, a throw away hunk of an airplane at the time.”
Passenger flights will likely be supplied out of Winter Haven Airport, 2073 U.S 92. Tickets could be bought prematurely for the B-29 Doc Flight Experience at www.b29doc.com/rides, and at www.FlytheB25.org for the B-25 Berlin Express.
Traffic and parking plans
Regular attendees of Sun ‘n Fun know that site visitors across the airport could be daunting through the present. Leenhouts stated officers have a number of plans to remain on prime it this yr.
Gene Conrad, town’s former airport director who’s joined Sun ‘n Fun, stated he is checked in with Polk County on the standing of building alongside West Pipkin Road. The county’s building will not cease for the occasion, however Conrad stated he is been promised all current lanes will likely be open to be used the week of the airshow.
The nonprofit will work in coordination with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and Lakeland Police Department once more this yr to assist direct and handle the circulate of site visitors, notably after the Saturday night time airshow.
“We didn’t get a single complaint for the first time last year,” Leenhouts stated.
Tickets
Tickets could be bought prematurely on-line at flysnf.org. Daily tickets price $45 for adults and $20 for kids ages 7-17. Those 6 and youthful are free. Weekly passes price $170 per grownup and $70 for kids. Florida residents who buy each day tickets for April 9 can attend Sunday totally free. Those on a price range who want to see the night airshows should purchase night tickets at $10 per individual, with ages 6 and youthful free.
Parking prices $10 per day per automobile, or $40 for the week. Preferred parking is $25 per day.
Sara-Megan Walsh could be reached at [email protected] or 863-802-7545. Follow on Twitter @SaraWalshFl.
