Paradise City, the light sport and ultralight area of the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, now has its own theme song.
The “SUN ’n FUN Paradise City Anthem” is set for release March 6, 2027, about a month before the Expo kicks off April 6 at Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL) in Florida.
Lyrics were co-written and the music co-produced by Paul Czarnecki, director of Aerosports and SUN ‘n FUN Paradise City Media, and Peter Buffington of Speed Brake Armed.
The upbeat, modern-country track tells the story of the venue, its sights, and the energy of being at Paradise City during the week-long SUN ‘n FUN. The anthem and Speed Brake Armed’s full suite of aviation-themed music will play throughout SUN ’n FUN Paradise City 2027, according to Czarnecki.
United Airlines First Officer Pete Buffington has long felt that classic rock tracks by bands like AC/DC and Van Halen no longer fit evolving air show routines. Drawing on both his flying career and musical background, he set out to create a fresh aviation-inspired soundtrack.
Buffington’s father was a lead technician for the Wurlitzer Corporation who tuned instruments for artists including Chubby Checker and Duke Ellington. Pete learned piano, became a licensed tuner, and later earned his pilot’s certificate on his 16th birthday. He holds an aviation degree from the University of North Dakota and has flown 28 years for United, American Eagle, and Air Wisconsin. During airline furloughs he returned to piano tuning for churches, homes, and schools.
Inspired by the digital audio workstation used by the reggae band Stick Figure’s Scott Woodruff, Buffington and his wife Julie, a longtime choir singer, formed Speed Brake Armed about two years ago. The name refers to the high-drag device pilots deploy on landing or during a rejected takeoff. The duo, sometimes joined by their daughter, has released 10 studio albums that blend flight-deck sounds, night flying, and radio chatter into original music.
Their second and third albums focused on air show material, including customized tracks for night aerial drone shows, specific air show pilot routines, and ambient aviation-themed music.
Last April, SUN ’n FUN Paradise City recruited Speed Brake Armed to play music during the 2026 event, showcasing its song “Lakeland Bound,” a song about the SUN ‘n FUN air show. The band’s recordings have also been featured at the Northern Alabama AirFest and Midwest Aviation Expo.
For more information: FlySNF.org, Aerosports.org, YouTube.com/@SpeedBrakeArmed.
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