When the Queen called SUN ‘n FUN

It was 1994 when the Royal Air Force cadets first volunteered at SUN ’n FUN.

In 2024, 30 years later, the cadets returned with its largest group to date — 60 cadets and 16 staff members.

For the cadets, the fly-in is part of a 15-day, 3,000-mile trip known as the US Aerospace Camp.

“When the RAF cadets first started volunteering here, after they went back home, Billy Henderson actually got a call from the Queen of England,” reports Mike Zidziunas, director of the Lakeland Aero Club, which is on the campus of SUN ’n FUN at Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL). “He used to brag about that all the time — how much they appreciated the opportunity and how they had had such a great experience, and that has gone on for 30 years.”

The late Billy Henderson led SUN ‘n FUN for its first 25 years.

At the 2024 event, the cadets volunteered in a variety of areas, including aircraft parking, camping, the warbird ramp, and more, says Flight Lieutenant Dave Emsley, US Aerospace Camp Adjutant.

“We have a great relationship with SUN ‘n FUN, which we are eternally grateful for,” he adds. “We work hard to support the air show and fly-in and provided over 3,600 hours of volunteer time during the show.”

According to Emsley, the cadets’ favorite activities are “directing aircraft, working the warbird ramp, and watching the night air show, although they also love selling tickets from the main registration building.”

“When not volunteering, the cadets engage with other young people on the airfield, the pilots of the Lakeland Aero Club, the Civil Air Patrol, and the many professionals and other volunteers on site,” he continues. “They enjoy learning new skills in the workshops and growing their knowledge of aerospace and new technologies around the many stands, exhibits, and simulators for flight, drones, and air traffic. The cadets are already saying this is their best experience ever in the RAF Air cadets.”

“The scale of SUN ‘n FUN is unmatched in the UK — the access to aircraft and the range of experiences is fantastic,” he continues. “The cadets get the opportunity to engage with a huge range of aerospace professionals, get insight into careers they may wish to pursue, and access to aircraft workshops far better than that available in a public event in the UK. Many ex-cadets from the camp have joined the military, gone into aerospace careers, and kept in contact with friends made during SUN ‘n FUN, leading to return visits and ex-cadets and RAF staff volunteering across SUN ’n FUN.”

After the show, the cadets took day trips to the Kennedy Space Center, the Commonwealth War Graves belonging to 23 RAF pilots from World War II who died during flight training in the area, Busch Gardens, and U.S. military bases, where British military staff are stationed.

In an unexpected twist, when the cadets were rained out of activities one day during the show, they asked to go to Walmart. The British teens say the store is far larger than the stores back home.

Of 43,000 RAF cadets, just 60 were chosen to journey to Florida. Cadets are responsible for raising the $1,500 to cover the cost of the trip across the pond. Many apply for grants, while others pay for it out of pocket.

Squadron Leader John Wohlgemuth has been bringing cadets to SUN ‘n FUN since 1997. His first year they brought just seven cadets, who borrowed tents from MacDill Air Force Base to camp on site.

Over the years, SUN ‘n FUN has donated used trailers and built up the RAF facilities on the far west side of the campsite. One of the staff members is assigned camp cook, responsible for feeding the teens.

Spider bites and sunburn are the main health issues for the cadets during the show.

Each day, they award a lobster hat to the cadet with the worst sunburn, officials joke.

In fact, the weather is one reason the cadets volunteer at SUN ’n FUN and not EAA AirVenture Oshkosh.

“We did visit Oshkosh, but Wisconsin is not as well connected by air to the UK,” Emsley explains. “It is also normally much hotter at Oshkosh, something which we are not accustomed to coming from the UK.”

Similar to the Civil Air Patrol, the RAF Cadet program aims to promote and encourage an interest in aviation and the Royal Air Force, provide training that will be useful in both the Armed Forces and civilian life, and foster a spirit of adventure and to develop the qualities of leadership and good citizenship.

The goals of the RAF Cadet program are very similar to the aims of SUN ’n FUN and the Aerospace Center for Excellence, according to Emsley.

“This brings synergies to our two organizations,” he says.

The RAF cadets have gained a reputation for reliability among the volunteers and they are known as disciplined and courteous among the many teen groups on campus during the show.

Speaking of courteous, when I arrived at their camp, Emsley immediately offered me a fine cup of Yorkshire tea. Such hospitality!