The Real Magic of SUN ’n FUN

Winter in the Midwest has a way of settling in deep. The winds howl, the cold stretches on, and for aviators, the stillness can feel heavy. The fun flying slows, hangar doors stay closed, and the rhythm that fuels our passion remains stagnant.

But every so often, the weather breaks, just enough to remind us of what we’re missing. A few golden days this year in Iowa gave us exactly that opportunity. The taildraggers came out, engines turned over, and for a moment, it felt like flying season again.

Still, for our family, the real reset comes each spring with a trip south to the SUN ’n FUN Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida.

This year, we loaded up our Cirrus SR22 and pointed the nose toward Florida. The first leg took us to Murray, Kentucky, an easygoing overnight stop. By sunrise the next day, we were back in the air, chasing warmer weather and longer days, eventually touching down in Leesburg, Florida, conveniently close to Lakeland and the show.

This trip carried a little extra meaning. Our 16-year-old Sullivan is now building time toward his private pilot and instrument ratings, turning each leg into more than just travel — it’s training, experience, and the beginning of his own aviation story.

But as much as the flying matters, it’s what happens on the ground that keeps us coming back.

The moment the SUN ’n FUN grounds come into view, something shifts. It doesn’t feel like arriving at an event, it feels like coming home. Across the field, familiar faces reappear, conversations pick up where they left off, and new connections are made just as quickly as old ones are renewed.

When my husband Shane and I first started attending SUN ’n FUN and EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, our aviation world was small. Back then, air shows were more of a getaway — time set aside to enjoy airplanes and each other’s company. It was simple and enough.

Over the years, though, something changed. Our family grew and, with it, so did our aviation community.

Now, these trips are about far more than airplanes. They’re about people.

Our oldest son is a perfect example of how that community continues to evolve.

After creating his first social media account just nine months ago, he’s already built a wide network of aviation enthusiasts. But what stood out most at SUN ’n FUN wasn’t the online connection — it was the real one. He spent his days meeting the people behind the profiles, swapping stories, and forming friendships that will stretch far beyond a single event.

That sense of connection is what makes aviation unique. It’s also what fuels the next generation.

One of the most meaningful parts of our trip was watching that mentorship in action. A close friend of ours from California, Miles Malone, has made it his mission to invest in young pilots, using his own airplane to give them opportunities many wouldn’t otherwise have. He brings them to events like SUN ’n FUN and Oshkosh, taking them on cross-country trips in his Beech Travel Air.

He’s showing them what general aviation is truly about. Through those experiences, those young aviators gain more than hours in a logbook. They learn how to navigate the country, how to connect with others, and how to become part of something bigger than themselves. It’s a powerful example of paying it forward, continuing a cycle of support that defines this community.

In all of this, it’s the traditions — both big and small — that make the experience.

Each year, I take my youngest son, Meyer, on what we call a “photo mission.” Officially, it’s about crossing the shots on my list as a photographer for General Aviation News. Unofficially, it’s about wandering far enough from show center to justify catching a golf cart ride. Timing is everything, because if we’re lucky, it will be Smokey’s shift.

Smokey, a media center volunteer, veteran, and pilot, has become part of our tradition. If you coax him, he’ll share stories. Our favorite stories involve his time ferrying Mary Gaffney’s air show airplane across the country.

Then there’s our Iowa dinner. Once a year, aviation friends from back home gather at Azteca De Oro, carving out time to reconnect away from the pace of everyday life. It’s good food, familiar faces, a debrief of the event so far, and stories that somehow get better with each telling. But it’s one of the moments we look forward to most.

Because in the end, that’s what SUN ’n FUN has become for us.

It’s not just about the airplanes. It’s about the people, the shared experiences, and the sense of belonging that brings everyone back, year after year.

If you’ve never been to an air show, consider this your invitation. You might come for the airplanes, but don’t be surprised if you leave with far more.

In aviation, the real magic isn’t just in the flying.

It’s in the community and it’s very, very good for the soul.