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News & Media Sights of Sun ‘n Fun

Sights of Sun ‘n Fun

April 12, 2018 By AOPA ePublishing staff

After a somewhat soggy opening day, the skies cleared and crowds gathered at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport for the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-in and Expo in Lakeland, Florida. The event marks, for many visitors, the kickoff of a season of flying and fun. AOPA photographers stayed busy keeping up with the action.

  • The AeroShell Aerobatic Team executes a break as they come out of the top of a loop at the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, Florida. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • An airshow attendee snaps a photo of 'The Little Witch,' a North American P-51 Mustang on the warbird flight line, during Sun 'n Fun April 11. Photo by David Tulis.
  • A Van's Aircraft RV-8 faces off with a 'Placid Lassie,' a Douglas C-47, during Sun 'n Fun. Photo by David Tulis.
  • Fighterjets.com MiG-17 pilot Randy W. Ball is framed by Team AeroShell performers painting the blue sky white with smoke during the Sun 'n Fun afternoon airshow April 11. Ball said the MiG climbs at 10,000 feet per minute and flashes by crowds at more than 600 miles per hour just a few feet above the hard deck. Photo by David Tulis.
  • The AOPA Super Cub Sweepstakes aircraft draws attention during Sun 'n Fun. Photo by David Tulis.
  • Phillips 66 Aerostars pilots Harvey 'Boss' Meek, Paul 'Rocket' Hornick, Dave 'Cupid' Monroe, and Gerry 'Fossil' Molidor fly the team's first performance in their new Extra 330 aircraft during the Sun 'n Fun afternoon airshow April 11. Photo by David Tulis.
  • Kristina Fudge tries out a gyrocopter during the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In, April 11. Photo by David Tulis.
  • Heat waves emanate from Jerry Conley's deHavilland DH-115 Vampire jet during the afternoon airshow at Sun 'n Fun April 11. The model was developed during World War II and entered service in the Royal Air Force shortly after the war ended. Photo by David Tulis.
  • Phillips 66 Aerostars perform a breakaway to close the team's first performance in their new Extra 330 aircraft at the Sun 'n Fun afternoon airshow April 11. Photo by David Tulis.
  • Attendees participate in an AOPA Pilot Town Hall with AOPA President Mark Baker and learned about Air Safety Institute and You Can Fly initiatives during Sun 'n Fun on April 11. Photo by David Tulis.
  • Flames from the afterburner trail behind Randy Ball's MiG-17F during a performance at Sun 'n Fun. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • Italian aerobatic glider pilot Luca Bertossio, a member of his country's national team, wows the crowd at Sun 'n Fun. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • A Yak 55 from the Walkabout Tigers smokes up the ramp during the April 11 night airshow at Sun 'n Fun. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • The Paradigm Team's powered paragliders stack for a fly-by. Its members may be among the youngest airshow performers; the oldest is 26. Photo by Mike Collins.
  • Two powered paragliders from the Paradigm Team spiral before the crowd during the Wednesday night airshow at Sun 'n Fun. Photo by Mike Collins.

Colorful aerobats performed daily airshows, and that was only part of what there was to see, and do. A career fair, demo flights, scores of vendors, and static aircraft displays also made this a perfect place for pilots, and camaraderie.

AOPA ePublishing staff

AOPA ePublishing Staff editors are experienced pilots, flight instructors, and aircraft owners who have a passion for bringing you the latest news and AOPA announcements.
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Topics: Sun 'n Fun

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