The Sun ‘n Fun scene

April 10, 2018 By AOPA ePublishing staff

The blue sky over Lakeland Linder Regional Airport was splashed with color as aerobats, vintage biplanes, warbirds, and one-of-a-kind aircraft joined the inbound procession for the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, Florida.

Pilot and country music recording artist Aaron Tippin's sons Tom and Ted help clean the family's 1941 Stearman on display at the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo in Lakeland, Florida, Monday, April 9, 2018. Photo by David Tulis.
Kenneth Strohm briefs volunteers who will help to staff the "movie Memphis Belle" at Sun 'n Fun. The Boeing B-17G Flying Fortress, operated by the National Warplane Museum in Geneseo, New York, flew the starring role in the 1989 film "Memphis Belle." Photo by Mike Collins.
Airshow pilot Greg Koontz is among the early arrivals. Photo by David Tulis.
The de Havilland DHC-4 Caribou cargo aircraft, prized by the military for its short takeoff and landing capability, first flew in 1958. This example is on the warbird flight line. Photo by Mike Collins.
Alan and Donna Kaluzniak, walking past a Grumman Bearcat painted in the Blue Angels signature blue and yellow, are among the early arrivals at Sun 'n Fun. Photo by David Tulis.
A Cessna 182 pilot taxis to parking. Photo by David Tulis.
After arriving at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport, a North American T-28 Trojan is escorted to its parking spot by a warbirds volunteer. Photo by Mike Collins.
Airshow pilot Matt Chapman taxis in after practicing for an airshow performance. Photo by David Tulis.
A Czech Sportcruiser light sport aircraft is part of the Czech Sport Aircraft static display. Photo by David Tulis.
Aviation photographer Dave Higdon captures a photo of a Piper Jet prototype near the Sun 'n Fun International Fly-In and Expo. Photo by David Tulis.
A Cessna Bird Dog pilot arrives. Photo by David Tulis.
Clouds are reflected in the windscreen of a Cirrus Vision Jet. Photo by David Tulis.
A Douglas C-54E, restored and operated by the Berlin Airlift Historical Foundation, faces a spring sunset at Sun 'n Fun. Named "Spirit of Freedom," it is painted in the colors of the 48th Troop Carrier Squadron--one of the many units that executed the massive airlift. Photo by Mike Collins.

Few things say “spring” to a pilot like this long-running airshow, the traditional start to the flying season for many. Even if education and inspiration of the next generation of aviators has become the focus in recent years, Sun 'n Fun remains a perfect place to relax, unwind, and take in some spectacular sights and sounds.

Blue skies on April 9 offered a perfect backdrop for airplanes painted with a bit of eye-catching flash.

AOPA ePublishing staff

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Topics: Sun 'n Fun

The Sun ‘n Fun scene

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