SUN ’n FUN will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the events that will forever be remembered as 9/11 today. The commemorative activities will lead up to — and be part of — the air show, highlighted by a parade of emergency vehicles prior to the air show; an airport aircraft rescue and firefighting vehicle on […]
Flight in MVFR fatal
This April 2009 accident report is provided by the National Transportation Safety Board. Published as an educational tool, it is intended to help pilots learn from the misfortunes of others. Aircraft: Maule M-4-220C. Injuries: 1 Fatal. Location: Hungry Horse, Mont. Aircraft damage: Destroyed. What reportedly happened: The private pilot’s logbooks revealed that he had a […]
SUN ‘n FUN responds to crisis
Story and Photo By Drew Steketee “The most amazing thing that has happened at SUN ‘n FUN,” said event president John Burton late Thursday, March 31 after “a tornado, a micro-burst, I don’t know” swept through the Lakeland, Florida, fly-in and air show. Local media reported multiple tornadoes north and south of the Lakeland area […]
Rain ’n Pain
A possible tornado ripped through the SUN ’n FUN grounds Thursday afternoon, damaging airplanes, uprooting trees, tearing down exhibits, and sending folks rushing to find shelter in the hangars, museum, Buehler Restoration Center, and other secure buildings. Thankfully, there were only a few minor injuries, according to SUN ’n FUN officials who used SUN ’n […]
Explorer Kitfox destroyed
Among the aircraft to be damaged by the twister that tore through the SUN ’n FUN grounds Thursday afternoon was the Kitfox III built by Explorer Post 491 of Birmingham, Ala. Yesterday we told you about the Kitfox, which was built by the teens to raffle off to raise money for the Explorer Post. The […]
Honoring Ray Fiset
The engines workshop tent at SUN ’n FUN was renamed The Ray Fiset Engine Workshop Wednesday in honor of the long-time engines chairman who passed away last July. Fiset was a well-known figure at SUN ’n FUN, as well as Oshkosh, volunteering at both events for many, many years. Fiset, who also represented the Recreational […]
PiperJet mock-up makes SUN ’n FUN debut
Company unveils Ready, Set, Fly training program The PiperJet Altaire mock-up is at SUN ’n FUN for the first time, allowing visitors to get an up-close look at the company’s entry into the light jet market. “We are full speed ahead on the Altaire,” said Randy Grooms, Piper’s executive vice president, on opening day. After […]
Lightspeed Foundation unveils finalists for this year’s grants
The Lightspeed Aviation Foundation unveiled the names of 20 charities, selected from hundreds of nominees, that will benefit from grants to be awarded this year. The names were unveiled Thursday at SUN ’n FUN. The foundation is in its second year of partnering with the pilot community to identify worthy causes, give pilots a voice […]
Next gen Zulu released
Lightspeed Aviation has released the next-generation Zulu. The new Zulu includes several patent-pending innovations, company officials said during SUN ’n FUN. Some of the new features include: Microport Vent technology that provides greater ANR consistency, Lightcomfort design offering better fit and less side pressure, and a Dual Aperture Disc microphone that adds more voice clarity […]