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News & Media Sunset serenade

Sunset serenade

Night airshow delivers light, smoke, horsepower

March 30, 2023 By AOPA ePublishing staff

As many Aerospace Expo regulars will tell you, Sun ’n Fun’s aerial entertainment doesn’t slip away when the sun goes down—it’s just getting started.

  • The AeroShell Aerobatic Team performs in formation during the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo evening airshow at Lakeland Linder International Airport in Lakeland, Florida, on March 29. Photo by David Tulis.
  • Retired AeroShell Aerobatic Team pilot Gene McNeely flies a low pass over a Lockheed Electra Junior during the evening airshow. Photo by David Tulis.
  • Gene McNeely, with smoke on, draws an arc with his North American T-6 Texan. Photo by David Tulis.
  • Gene McNeely performs March 29. Photo by David Tulis.
  • A U.S. Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning fighter jet lights the afterburner and makes some noise. Photo by David Tulis.
  • Vapor trails off the wings as a U.S. Air Force pilot pulls the F-35 Lightning into a screaming climb. Photo by David Tulis.
  • A Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jet and a North American P-51 Mustang perform a heritage flyover. Photo by David Tulis.
  • The AeroShell Aerobatic Team performs a formation takeoff during the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo evening airshow. Photo by David Tulis.
  • The AeroShell Aerobatic Team's formation takeoff nearly smokes out the crowd watching from the flight line. Photo by David Tulis.
  • The AeroShell Aerobatic Team performs their signature formation loop, lights and smoke on. Photo by David Tulis.
  • The AeroShell Aerobatic Team transitions into trail out of their loop. Photo by David Tulis.
  • The sun sets behind an AeroShell T-6 Texan. Photo by David Tulis.

Over the years, Sun n’ Fun’s night airshows have become a can’t-miss display of dazzling aerial feats, flashing lights, thundering airplane sounds, and pyrotechnics sure to please first-time visitors and regulars alike. If you weren’t able to take part in the night's aerial festivities in person, AOPA’s David Tulis captured the magic and excitement of the evening, so grab your favorite airshow fare, have a seat, and enjoy the show.

Attendees gather near to watch the evening airshow during the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo. Photo by David Tulis. A U.S. Air Force Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning on afterburner performs in the evening airshow during the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo on March 29. Photo by David Tulis. GhostWriter Nathan Hammond prepares to perform in the evening airshow. Photo by David Tulis. The sun sets behind GhostWriter Nathan Hammond's de Havilland Chipmunk during the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo evening airshow. Photo by David Tulis. The Airythmia Parameter Team prepares to play their part in the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo evening airshow. However, high winds scrubbed the performance. Photo by David Tulis. High winds made it unsafe to proceed with the Airythmia Parameter Team's performance. Photo by David Tulis. A member of the U.S. Special Operations Command Parachute Team ("The Para-Commandos") lands during the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo evening airshow. Photo by David Tulis.

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, Airshow

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