If you visited the Florida Air Museum in the past but haven’t been there in a while, you are in for a surprise. It’s still on the SUN ‘n FUN campus at Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL), but is surrounded by the new Ramus Skylab Innovation Center, which opened Aug. 4, 2021.
Airshows & Fly-Ins
Santa arrives in style at the SUN ’n FUN Holiday Festival Fly-In
The second annual SUN ‘n FUN Holiday Festival Fly-In and Car Show was a success, with Santa and Mrs. Claus the stars of the show.
Blue skies for The Great Colorado Air Show
After far too long a wait, the Great Colorado Air Show returned with a roar, headlined by the Blue Angels.
Wings Over North Georgia returns to Rome
Wings Over Georgia returns as a drive-in event, with attendance topping 30,000 during Halloween weekend.
DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase proves the lighter side of aviation is growing
Despite smaller crowds due to Florida’s fickle weather, the DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase was declared a success, with many among the 100 exhibitors racking up sales.
SUN ‘n FUN president to retire after 2022 expo
After serving as president during the transformation of SUN ‘n FUN from “Spring Break for Pilots” into a world-class aviation-based education center, John “Lites” Leenhouts is retiring.
Picture of the Day: Hannah’s first flight
Nathan Mackey submitted this photo and note: “I have been in love with aviation since I was 4 years old. This Saturday I got to ride along with my daughter, Hannah, who just turned 4 last month, on her first airplane ride. It was a very special flight as it was in Helio Courier s/n 001, N242B, made in 1954. I flew in this airplane from 1998-2004 as a volunteer with JAARS to various airshows, including Oshkosh. N242B’s owner flew from Texas to JAARS in North Carolina to attend a private fly-in and to give Hannah her first airplane ride. Hannah’s comment when we rose above the trees was, “Wow! I can see EVERYTHING!” Here’s to many more years of flying for Hannah.”
Beech Party: Starship, Staggerwings and STOL
The annual Beech Party broke records in 2021, with a bumper crop of Beechcraft aircraft showing up for the fly-in in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
San Francisco Fleet Week roars back
San Francisco hosts the only Fleet Week in 2021, providing stunning backdrops for awesome airplanes.