The campus of the Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In & Expo will have a slightly different look for this year’s 36th annual event, which will be held April 13-18 at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL) in Florida. A new exhibit hangar has been opened for this year’s fly-in and the popular Parts Exchange aviation consignment operation has been relocated from Paradise City (the ultralight area) next to the new Hangar E, also known as Hangar Echo.
“Sun ’n Fun is pleased to offer additional exhibit space that will help accommodate those businesses who were previously unable to participate due to space limitations,” said President John Burton, who noted “the response has been gratifying.”
The new exhibit space is located near the existing indoor exhibit hangars, a short distance from the Gulf Coast Avionics/Garmin Hangar D (Delta) near the entrance to the campgrounds.
Burton added that moving the popular Parts Exchange operation next door to Hangar Echo “will stimulate a great deal of additional pedestrian traffic throughout the area.”
“Parts Exchange is a major destination for homebuilders and certified aircraft owners alike,” Burton explained. “Thousands of items are consigned by their owners to sell in the Parts Exchange each year. From avionics, props and instruments old and new, to partially completed aircraft fuselages, wings and a host of other pieces, parts and components, chances are good that you will be able to find whatever it is you’re looking for in Sun ’n Fun’s Parts Exchange.”
So far, more than 80% of Hangar Echo’s exhibit spaces have been spoken for, according to Sun ‘n Fun officials, while an outside exhibit area has been claimed by the new American Air Campers Association.
The hangar also has a 1,200-square-foot, air conditioned office area that has been retained by GES show services as the GES Service Center for exhibitors. Sun ’n Fun officials also are working with the regional manager of Starbucks to bring coffee service to the east entrance of the new exhibit hangar.
Hangar Echo is located in the fly-in’s former maintenance facility. During this year’s fly-in, Sun ‘n Fun officials will unveil the new 17,500-square-foot maintenance facility. The new building, located in the heart of Sun ’n Fun’s expanding campus, includes a wood shop, fleet maintenance area, tool crib, sign shop, storage and offices for maintenance staff and the Volunteer Coordinator.
For more information: Sun-n-Fun.org.
