SNF Today Apr. 24

Friday, April 24, 2015

The Official Daily Newspaper of the SUN ’n FUN Fly-In — www.sun-n-fun.org

Table of ContentsRAF cadets celebrate 20th year at show ............................ 4Airplane Repo guys speak tonight ....................................... 8Take a trip to Paradise City ................................................... 10Tune into SUN ’n FUN Radio ................................................ 13Education for all ages during this week’s fly-in ............... 14Judging airplanes at SUN ’n FUN ....................................... 15International Visitors Center welcomes the world......... 19Map of the grounds ................................................................ 20‘We are all about awesome’ .................................................30

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By ELIZABETH WALKER

The Piedmont Aerospace Experience was dedicated Thursday as a one-of-a- kind learning center on the SUN ’n FUN Campus. A Boeing 727-200 in Piedmont Airlines colors officially became a part of the education facilities on the grounds of SUN ’n FUN, adjacent to the Central Florida Aerospace Academy.

John “Lites” Leenhouts, president and CEO of SUN ’n FUN, told the dedication audience, “It is a special day — the dedi-cation of the one and only 727 jet turned into a classroom. Students will be able to walk out of their classroom and into this plane that has a special name on it, Pied-mont Airlines.”

Also taking part in the dedication cer-emonies was Bob Knight, chairman of the board of directors for SUN ’n FUN. Knight told the audience, “Lets cut the ribbon and start the engines.”

Shortly afterwards, Polk State College junior Karissa Strickland, sitting in the left seat, and CFAA junior Justin Keen in the right seat, initiated the electrical start-up sequence.

During the dedication Leenhouts rec-ognized Frank Davis, son of Tom Davis, former head of Piedmont Airlines. Frank Davis is on the board of the Piedmont

Aviation Historical Society. He also in-troduced veteran airline pilot Nicholas Pierce, a grandson of Tom Davis and Pierce’s wife Lara.

For the ribbon-cutting ceremony, ap-proximately 75 students from CFAA and Polk State lined up alongside the aircraft. All the students are volunteers this week at SUN ’n FUN. Leenhouts said many of the students present would be attending classes in the aircraft during the 2015-2016 school year.

All parts of the aircraft will be utilized for teaching, said Robb Williams, execu-tive director of the Aerospace Center for Excellence. The Emil Buehler Classroom will accommodate up to 30 students, he said. Also, a Bernie Little Conference Center will provide meeting space.

Williams added that the 727 aircraft, although no longer flying, will be a func-tional aircraft and will be used as a learn-ing center for aerospace students to see how a jet aircraft works and also how to

repair the systems on such an aircraft.Frank Davis said it was rewarding to

see his father’s dream fulfilled.“He loved SUN ’n FUN and getting

children into aviation and giving them a variety of aviation experiences,” Davis said. “There are so many areas they can pursue. Daddy was always a pilot first. He never presented himself as an executive. He treated everyone the same. He was a strong believer in education and if it led toward aviation, then all the better.”

Unique 727 classroom dedicated

Left to right: Bob Knight, Frank Davis (son of Tom Davis), John “Lites” Leenhouts, Nicholas Pierce (grandson of Tom Davis) with students from CFAA and Polk State college at the ribbon cutting dedication ceremony.

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Left to right: Nicholas Pierce (grandson of Tom Davis and an airline pilot), Carissa Strickland from Polk State col-lege, and Justin Keen from the Central Florida Aerospace Academy in the cockpit of the 747.


PLEASE REMEMBER TO RECYCLE

ISSue 4 — FrIDAy APrIL 24, 2015

PuBLISherSJohn “Lites” Leenhouts

Ben Sclair

eDITorIAL STAFFMeg Godlewski

Janice Wood

ProDuCTIoNRussell Kasselman

DISTrIBuTIoNArthur Ward, Paulette Ward

Murray KotJason Kot

Samantha KotPaul Luckett

CoNTrIBuTINg WrITerSJoni Fisher, Jack Neubacher, Tom Snow, William Walker,

Elizabeth Walker

SUN ’n FUN Today is published each day of the SUN ’n FUN Fly-In by Flyer Media, Inc., publishers of General Aviation News and Living With Your Plane. Copies of SUN ’n FUN Today are distributed free of charge throughout the fly-in grounds.

Subscriptions to General Aviation News, $29.95 for 1 year or $49.95 for 2 years.

The views and opinions contained herein do not necessarily reflect those of SUN ’n FUN Fly-In, Inc. Neither SUN ’n FUN Fly-In, Inc., nor Flyer Media, Inc. endorse or sanction the products advertised herein, and do not assume responsibility for such advertising.

www.sun-n-fun.orgwww.GeneralAviationNews.com

© 2015 Flyer Media, Inc., SUN ’n FUN Fly-In, Inc.

All rights reserved. Reproduction of photos or articles by any means is prohibited without written consent.

By BILL WALKER

A group of 26 air cadets from the Royal Air Force are among the thousands of vol-unteers working to make this week’s SUN ’n FUN a success.

The group is led by Royal Air Force Reserve Flight Lt. John Wohlgemuth.

“This marks the 20th year that the air cadets have attended SUN n’ FUN,” said Wohlgemuth, an RAF helicopter pilot.

The group arrived the weekend before the start of SUN n’ FUN and the cadets have been working daily as volunteers.

“We have them marshalling aircraft,” said Wohlgemuth, who is returning to Lakeland for the 12th time as the group leader. “They have been working with the warbirds crew. It has been a good experi-ence for them.”

He noted that early on one of the cadets was able to warn an unobservant journal-ist that he was getting dangerously close to the spinning propeller of an aircraft.

“He was so intent on getting a good photo that he forgot there was a second aircraft running in the area,” Wohlgemuth said.

One of the more interesting volunteer assignments for the cadets was selling tickets to SUN ’n FUN visitors.

“The people coming in thought it was really unusual to be buying tickets from cadets in British uniforms,” Wohlgemuth said.

Wohlgemuth is aided by his adjutant, Flight Lt. Dave Emsley, and RAF Reserve Warrant Officer Mark Riordan. Wohlge-muth commands a squadron in Southeast London, but the cadets come from all over the country.

Corporal Natalie Doggett, 17, from the Faversham Squadron, is one of the cadets volunteering at this year’s show.

“My uncle was in the Army and when I was little I got interested in the RAF,” she said. “I went to air shows in Kent. I joined the Army cadets and changed to the Air Force cadets because there are more op-portunities to do different events related to aviation. I want to join the RAF as an air traffic controller.”

“This is my first experience at SUN ’n

FUN and it is really great,” she contin-ued. “The people are friendly. It is differ-ent from airshows in the U.K. because it is more open. You get to see more things and I have been able to help out marshal-ling planes.”

Cadet Charlotte Knight, 17, from a squadron at Guildford, England, said, “I was looking for some experiences in avia-tion because my goal is to become part of the cabin crew for a commercial airline. This is a memorable experience and I def-initely want to come back next year.”

Sgt. Sam Smith, 16, from the Steyning, England squadron, has been an air cadet for four years.

“My whole family has been involved in aviation,” he said. “Both my parents were cabin crew for a commercial airline. My grandfather was one of the carpenters that helped build Gatwick Airport. My great-grandfather built wooden propeller blades in World War I. This has been re-ally fun. It is so much more relaxed than in the U.K. and everyone has been nice and welcoming.”

Cadet Jack Terrell, 17, with the Car-shalton and Wallington Squadron, said, “The reason I’m interested is that my dad joined the air cadets at 13 and said it was

a good experience. And my grandfather was an engineer in World War II and he told me a few stories about his working on trucks and jeeps. I want to go into the RAF in engineering.”

Cadet Sam Smith, speaking for all the cadets, said, “We all want to thank the staff running the Aviation Experience camp because they have arranged some really great things for us at SUN ’n FUN.”

After SUN n’ FUN the group will visit MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., home of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). Wohlgemuth said the ca-dets will meet with the senior British officer serving at CENTCOM and other members of the British contingent there.

According to Wohlgemuth, RAF Sgt. Alan Huelin has added to the quality of the camping experience by providing fine food for the staff and cadets.

“He is a Savoy Hotel-trained chef and has been a great cook,” he said.

The British group is quartered at Camp Cliff Mullins, an area named for the founder of the cadet experience at SUN ’n FUN. The cadets had to pay for their own trip here, Wohlgemuth said, noting the total cost, which was primarily airfare, was about $1,500.

RAF cadets celebrate 20th year at show

Left to right, back row: Sgt. Sam Smith, Flt. Lt. John Wohlgemuth, Cadet Jack Turrell. Left to right, front row: Cadet Charlotte Knight, Corp. Natalie Doggett.

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CubCrafters unveiled an upgrade of its kit aircraft based on the Carbon Cub, the Carbon Cub EX-2, at this week’s show.

The EX-2 includes an extensive series of improvements and upgrades to the kit, but the primary components are new G-Series ailerons, flaps, and tail feathers, company officials noted. The G-Series control surfaces improve controllability in all aspects of the flight envelope, ac-cording to company officials.

The roll authority of the Carbon Cub EX-2 has been improved by redesign-ing the aileron airfoil and relocating the hinge point. The G-Series ailerons deliver markedly lighter and crisper roll response

compared to legacy aircraft. Control har-mony is even better than the original.

The G-Series flaps are the first truly slotted flaps available from CubCrafters, company officials add. With the G-Series, the stall speed of the EX-2 with flaps extended is reduced, improving the low-

speed manners of the Carbon Cub. The flap features repositioned pivot arms that, when deployed, lower the flap’s location relative to the wing, forcing high-pressure air from below the wing over the flap, and helping airflow to remain attached to the flap surface for increased lift.

The G-Series tail feathers feature ad-justable elevator stops and allow greater down-elevator trim, providing the pilot with greater trim authority when operat-ing either at the forward or aft limits of the CG envelope, company officials said.

See the new Carbon Cub EX-2 in the North Exhibit Area, Booths 92, 93, 102 and 103.

Carbon Cub EX-2 introduced

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Photo by Ken Strohm

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By MEG GODLEWSKI

You probably know someone who knows someone who has had his plane re-possessed. It’s a dark side of aviation that many people are curious about, but don’t want first-hand experience with.

That’s what makes Discovery Chan-nel’s TV series, “Airplane Repo,” such a guilty pleasure for many. The stars of the show, Ken Cage and Danny Thomp-son, appear at SUN ’n FUN tonight in the Aerospace Pavilion at 6 p.m., ready and willing to answer your questions during their presentation: “The Dynamic Duo: Beyond the Repo.”

The reality TV series depicts the daily work of the dynamic duo as they strive to locate and repossess aircraft from finan-cially delinquent owners.

“There’s no such thing as a typical day at the office,” chuckles Cage, who is president of operations for International Recovery Group.

The program is seen worldwide, al-though most of the repossessions occur in the United States where general aviation is more prevalent, according to Cage.

Cage is a licensed repossession agent who estimates he’s repossessed about 1,800 aircraft in the past eight years. He notes the Discovery Channel came to him about starring in the series, which launched in 2013.

“I was the subject of a story in The Wall

Street Journal and then I was on Inside Edition,” he says. “Then the Discovery Channel got in touch with me and hired a production company.”

He notes that the show is not scripted.“Everything you see happen is real,” he

says. “We are dealing with a very sensi-tive issue and there are a lot of legal is-sues. We have to do the show accurately while respecting and following the law.”

Balancing all those elements is part of the job for Cage. “I like the challenge of finding what someone is working really hard to hide from me,” he says. “The debtors go to great lengths to disguise,

hide, and disable aircraft to keep it from being taken.”

Cage’s job is to find the aircraft and keep it there until a pilot comes in to fly it away. “The biggest knock I get on the show is that I am not a pilot, but I don’t need to be,” he explains. “I have a team of pilots who we can call on to move aircraft. I get to the point where I turn the airplane over to the pilot, then I become the eyes and ears to keep the airport people, the debtor and friends of the debtor away so that the pilot can do what he needs to do, such as the preflight inspection and take-off, then we go on to the next repo. Also,

we are licensed brokers so we can help the banks resell the aircraft.”

It is not uncommon for the repo agents or pilots to be threatened when they go to retrieve an aircraft, says Cage, because emotions run high during the reposses-sion process.

“We are dealing with wealthy or for-merly wealthy people who want others to see them as wealthy and it’s a big part of their ego,” he explains. “So when you threaten that ego, things can get a little hairy.”

Sometimes the delinquent aircraft own-er will try to thwart the repo process by withholding the aircraft’s logbooks, op-erating with the mindset that without the logbooks, the airplane is worthless, so the bank won’t take possession of it.

“That’s not completely accurate,” Cage says. “The value of the aircraft is dimin-ished dramatically without the logbooks, and people will try to hold on to the log-books for leverage. After the airplane is repossessed, we sell it and take our com-mission and the rest goes to the bank. So let’s say it is a $100,000 airplane, but without the logbooks the airplane sells for only $60,000. The debtor is still respon-sible for that additional $40,000, so you can see that it is in their best interest to give us the logbooks.”

The Airplane Repo guys also will speak Saturday at noon at the Florida Air Mu-seum.

Beyond the Repo

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Ken Cage (left) and Danny Thompson speak tonight at SuN ’n FuN.

At this week’s show, Hartzell Propeller launched its new Trailblazer Sweepstakes with the winner choosing between a back-country flying adventure or a seaplane rat-ing. The Trailblazer Sweepstakes is open to pilots age 21 or older with a current medical endorsement.

Partners for the Hartzell Propeller Trailblazer Sweepstakes include the Rec-reational Aviation Foundation and the Seaplane Pilots Association.

“The Trailblazer Sweepstakes is a dual

opportunity to feature our new carbon fi-ber composite prop specifically designed for takeoff and climb performance, mak-ing it an ideal propeller for bush flying and float plane adventures,” said Hartzell President Joe Brown. “More importantly it is an opportunity that doesn’t come along every day to engage aviators who might enjoy backcountry or seaplane fly-ing in an exciting aviation experience de-signed to tap into their love of flight.”

Pilots can register online at Hartzell-

Prop.com/Sweepstakes or at SUN ’n FUN at Hartzell’s exhibit in Hangar B, Booths 34-35.

Other chance to enter the Trailblazer Sweepstakes in person include the Great Alaska Aviation Gathering, May 2-3 in Anchorage, Alaska, the Valdez Fly-In and Airshow, May 9-10, in Valdez, Alaska, and the first few days at EAA AirVenture, held beginning July 20 in Oshkosh. The winner will be selected at random and an-nounced at Oshkosh show July 29.

Hartzell launches sweepstakes

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Win an Ez Creeper

Do you turn wrenches? If so, hav-ing a creeper that can do double duty as a stool should be of interest. You might want to check out the Ez Creeper in Hangar C, Booth 57.

This year, SUN ’n FUN Radio and Ez Creeper teamed up to give one away on Sunday. Sign up at the Ez Creeper booth or at SUN ’n FUN Ra-dio next to Sunset Grille along Club-house Row.


2015_sunNfunAd-MAF_FINAL.pdf 1 3/9/15 3:20 PM


By MEG GODLEWSKI

It’s no secret that many people come to SUN ’n FUN to shop for an airplane. Those who are looking for a Light-Sport Aircraft (LSA) or ultralight flock to Para-dise City, located east of the main gate. This year there are 47 exhibitors, most of them selling aircraft that range from glid-ers and trikes to airplanes.

This is the third year the LSA Mall has been in Paradise City, noted Dan Johnson, president of the Light Aircraft Manufac-turers Association (LAMA).

“This area has gone through quite a re-vival,” he said, adding, “it offers some of the most interesting flying on the field.”

A main attraction of Paradise City for both those who sell airplanes and those who want to buy them is that it boasts its own 1,400-foot turf runway.

“The pattern for LSA is 500 feet and we don’t have to talk to the tower,” added Brian Boucher, who imports and sells the amphibious Super Petrel LS. “We’re away from the other airport traffic. It’s easy for us to get out of the pattern, then head over to Lake Parker, then come back in.”

It’s not unusual for exhibitors to “knock out” four or five demo flights a day, per plane, at Paradise City, according to John-son. “People don’t have to traipse off to

another airport,” he noted. “They can stay on the grounds the whole time.”

That convenience has led many vendors to choose to locate in Paradise City, rather than the main show grounds.

Mike Hansen from the Hansen Air Group, which sells the Sky Arrow, Fk Comet biplane and other LSAs, notes they have exhibited on the main show grounds in the past, but this year they opted to be in Paradise City. They have three aircraft from their stable on display.

“Not only is it easier for us to do dem-onstration flights, we tend to get more vis-itors who are genuinely interested in buy-ing a light-sport aircraft,” he said. “The improvements SUN ’n FUN has made to the grounds, such as paving the main road, have made the area more accessible to everyone.”

The only downside of being in Paradise City, says Hansen, is they don’t have as good of a view of the airshow as they had in years past — but there is also an upside in this. In years past, their exhibit, located right next to the show line, became a pop-ular spot to watch the airshow.

“It’s hard to sell airplanes where you have people camped all over to watch the Thunderbirds,” he said with a grin. “Now we have people who are actually interest-ed in buying a small airplane.”

Take a trip to Paradise CityGetting there

Recognizing that Paradise City is a bit of a walk, Rotax is sponsoring the Paradise City XPress, two six-seater golf carts that transport visitors from the main gate and the main show area to Paradise City.

It makes sense for Rotax to make it easier to get people to Paradise City, according to Johnson. “About 80% of LSAs are powered by Rotax,” he not-ed.

It’s about good fit, added William Burgher of the Rotax Flying and Safety Club.

“The Rotax booth is one of the first things you see when you come in the gate,” he noted. “Here people can get information about Rotax engines, have their questions about warranty service and the like, then take the golf cart down to Paradise City where you’ll see the Light Sport Aircraft. Hopefully they will see an aircraft they want to buy!”

The Sky Arrow is at the hansen Air group display in Paradise City.

At this week’s SUN ’n FUN, Textron Aviation launched Top Hawk, a partner-ship with U.S. universities. Top Hawk will provide students access to aircraft, coupled with an internship opportunity during the summer of 2015.

Universities selected as the initial part-ner schools are Embry-Riddle Aeronauti-cal University, Kansas State University, Liberty University and the University of North Dakota.

Through Top Hawk, Cessna will pro-vide the schools full use of a branded Cessna Skyhawk 172 for the remainder of 2015. The schools will use the aircraft for flight training, recruiting and promotional activities.

In addition, one student from each school will participate in Textron Avia-tion’s internship program in cooperation with the Textron Aviation Employees Fly-

ing Club. During the summer internship, students will get exposure to business op-erations, lead ground school classes, and continue to build flight hours through fly-ing lessons and discovery flights.

At the end of the summer, the interns will participate in a flying competition through which one aviator will be named Top Hawk.

“It’s critical to the aviation industry to encourage young people to consider ca-reers in aviation, as pilots, technicians and administrators, and to train them in the best possible equipment as the foundation of their career,” Doug May, vice presi-dent, piston aircraft, for the company, said at SUN ’n FUN.

For more information on the Top Hawk program, visit the Cessna exhibit on the SUN ’n FUN grounds next to the FAA building or go to Cessna.com/TopHawk.

Textron launches Top Hawk

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By MEG GODLEWSKI

If you want to be an aircraft judge at SUN ’n FUN, you need to be ready to learn, says Bobby Capozzi, 54, from Coco, Fla. “There is always a learning curve,” he says. “It doesn’t matter how long you have been doing this. Very often you will see something that you haven’t seen before.”

Capozzi, who has been flying since his teens, specializes in vintage aviation. This is his second year as a judge.

“I am a private pilot with over 6,000 hours. Most of that is in Piper J-3 Cubs, Taylorcrafts, and Aeroncas,” he says. “I’ve restored a 7ECA, and done partial rebuilds on Taylorcrafts and Aeroncas. If it has tube and fabric and a wooden pro-peller on it, I like it.”

Capozzi, who makes his living as an engineer for Lockheed-Martin, has been coming to SUN ’n FUN since the 1980s.

One of the first things he had to learn as a judge was how to differentiate between a vintage airplane that is quantified as a Classic or as a Custom aircraft.

“Classic means the airplane is just as it was when it rolled out of the factory. Custom means the owner has made some modifications,” he explains.

The points criteria for the two catego-ries are different. On Classic aircraft, for

example, points are given for the use of original materials and points are deducted for non-original materials. There are also some often-found mistakes on Classic air-craft, such as the painting of hardware.

“They did not roll out of the factory like that,” Capozzi says.

Custom aircraft owners are allowed to take more liberties with their restorations, for example, using paint colors from the automotive industry. For Custom aircraft the judges are looking for clean lines, a smooth finish, and a plane in good repair.

Most of the airplanes Capozzi judges

are older than he is, so he often relies on the experience of older judges, as well as research, to determine what is historically accurate for the aircraft.

“Most aircraft owners who restore an airplane to Classic condition do meticu-lous research prior to beginning the pro-cess,” he said.

This research, along with photographs of the work in progress, is often displayed in a Presentation Book along with the aircraft. “The book, along with the diffi-culty factor of the restoration, can make or break the score,” he says.

The learning curve for judges

WingX Pro7 for Android releasedWingX Pro7 for Android is here. Fea-

tures include VFR Sectionals, IFR High and Low Enroutes, planned route, weather, TFRs, and Special Use Airspace overlays. WingX Pro7 for Android adds integration with Lockheed Martin’s Flight Services system, Geo-Referenced Approach Charts and will continue to be enhanced with the

features already on WingX Pro7 for iOS. WingX Pro7’s universal account sys-

tem will allow pilots to run WingX Pro7 on iOS and Android.

“Integration is key to improving pi-lot access to the best and most advanced tools,” said Jim Derr, director of Lockheed Martin Flight Service. “We are excited

about the enhanced benefit that pilots will enjoy with WingX Pro7’s incorporation of Lockheed Martin Flight Service’s ad-vanced online capabilities.”

WingX Pro7 for Android is planned to be available in Q2 2015. Hilton Software is demonstrating it at SUN ’n FUN in Hangar D, Booths 81-82

SuN ’n FuN Judge Bobby Capozzi looks at a 1946 Aeronca.

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April 21-26 , 2015 Sun ’n Fun Today - www.sun-n-fun.org 13

By JANICE WOOD

“Don’t Miss Out — Tune In.” That’s the message that SUN ’n FUN Radio Chair-man Dave Shallbetter wants everyone on the SUN ’n FUN grounds — and beyond — to get this year.

There is so much going on during the week that it’s impossible to be everywhere to enjoy it. But with SUN ’n FUN Radio’s remote broadcasts and live streaming, you can virtually attend the evening programs, airshow, and more during the week.

The “more” includes interviews throughout the day with airshow perform-ers, exhibitors, general aviation luminar-ies, and TV stars, including the guys be-hind “Airplane Repo.”

“We will have a live morning show

from various remote locations around the grounds,” Shallbetter said, noting some of those locations include the Recreation-al Aviation Foundation Fire Hub in the campgrounds, Paradise City, the Breitling Jet Team parking stand, and Saturday morning’s Balloon Launch.

And for the first time ever, the radio sta-tion, located at 1510 on the AM dial, will hold a contest to give away a mechanics creeper from the EZ Creeper Co. De-signed by a pilot specifically for aircraft maintenance, the EZ Creeper can handle weights up to 300 pounds, using a hydrau-lic system to raise and lower the person. Valued at $899, the EZ Creeper will be given away during this week’s show to one lucky listener of the radio station.

“You have to listen to the radio sta-tion for the details,” Shallbetter advised. “We’ll tell you how to enter the contest.”

Live streaming of all SUN ’n FUN Radio programs is thanks to Live ATC (Live ATC.net/SNF), an audio streaming site, which gives the radio station world-wide exposure.

The station, which has a cadre of 50 or so volunteers, is always looking for more help. If you are interested in volunteering, stop in at SUN ’n FUN Radio during the week.

The station is located at the end of Club House Row next door to the Quiet Bird-man Clubhouse and across the road from the Sunset Grill.

Finally, if you have a story you think

the radio station should cover, Shallbetter invites you to stop by the station and talk to one of the volunteers.

Tune in to SUN ’n FUN Radio

Got a question about this week’s activi-ties? Here’s a few things that may be help-ful to know:

SUN ’n FUN retail outlets are open daily with a large selection of aviation-related items, as well sunglasses, cam-eras, commemorative T-shirts and other memorabilia. The main retail shop is the PilotMall store near the Exhibit Hangars. There are also Gifts of Flight outlets in front of the Sunset Grill, on the east side of the Airshow Announcer Stand, south-west side of the Warbird ramp, and in the Aviation Discovery at the Florida Air Mu-seum.

The Type Club Tent is located across the taxiway from Vintage Headquarters. Look for members of organized clubs dedicated to a particular aircraft.

Stop in at the Visitors Information Cen-ter next to the Sunset Grill to pick up a copy of the Shuttle Map to accommoda-tions, downtown Lakeland and the sur-rounding area. Preston Tours is providing bus transportation for SUN ’n FUN guests to local area hotels and restaurants for a fee. Shuttle pick up and drop off is in the Lindbergh Lot.

There are two Internet Cafes this year: At the Visitor Information Center and the Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum.You also can get wireless access for $12 a day or $30 for the week. You can purchase on your browser landing page or at the main entrance.

To receive text updates on SUN ’n FUN events, text 69050 and type snfupdate. To receive text updates on SUN ’n FUN alerts, text 69050 and type snfalert.

Aircraft Emergency Repair is available from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. It is located on Taxi-way Echo.

The Lost and Found is located in the Volunteer Center east of the Buehler Res-toration Center.

The Brokaw Medical Hospitality Cen-ter is located across from Main Admis-sions and east of the Buehler Restoration Skills Center on Doolittle Road.

Fly-In Facts

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14 SUN ’n FUN Today - www.sun-n-fun.org April 21-26 , 2015

During this week’s fly-in, exhibits and fun will be intertwined with options that hold true to the SUN ’n FUN mission to preserve and enhance the future of flight through world-class events, inspiring and educating people of all ages.

More than 200,000 guests, exhibitors, instructors, pilots, volunteers, and stu-dents from 80 countries are expected dur-ing the week. And SUN ’n FUN officials made sure to offer diverse educational op-portunities for all who attend the show.

For example, teachers are invited to the Aerospace Educators Workshop, Sat-urday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Workshop instructors are well-known personalities and offer unique lessons, according to organizers. Keynote luncheon speaker is Retired Astronaut Greg Johnson. During the luncheon, the Ray Lien award will be presented to the Aerospace Educator of the Year.

During the day, teachers will rotate through hands-on learning experiences that can be transferred into their curricu-lums as they incorporate aviation-based STEM (Science, Technology, Engineer-ing and Math) techniques into the class-room. Five in-service credits are available for educators.

Student tours will be offered through-out the week to college students, those in grades K-12, and home schooled children,

as well as church and scouting groups. The interactive walking tour may include flying aircraft demonstrations, historic aircraft, ultralight and light-sport aircraft, a museum visit, and more.

Tours include age-specific hands-on activities in the Piedmont Aerospace Lab, as well as interactive learning stations and historic static displays in Aerospace Dis-covery at the Florida Air Museum.

On the WarBird Ramp, students will be introduced to the story, in a portable the-ater, of the Tuskegee Airmen and their ac-complishments during World War II and beyond.

Throughout the week all guests of the fly-in can visit the Rise Above Traveling Exhibit in WarBird Country. The exhibit tells the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, who wanted to fight in World War II but were denied because of their race. Presi-dent Franklin D. Roosevelt was pressured to change that. He ordered the Army Air Corps to set up a pilot training program in Tuskegee, Alabama. The program was not expected to be successful, but the young black soldiers who worked so hard to be-come America’s first black military pilots proved everyone wrong.

The mission of the Commemorative Air Force (CAF) Red Tail Squadron is to share the inspiring legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen — America’s first black military

pilots and their support personnel. Their success in triumphing over adversity dur-ing World War II can still inspire people of all ages to rise above obstacles they may face.

In addition to the traveling exhibit, the CAF Red Tail Squadron provides edu-cational materials and ideas for teachers and others who work with children so the young people they guide can be motivated to set goals and “rise above” any obstacles to achieve success.

The CAF also flies a World War II-vin-tage P-51C red-tailed Mustang at airshows across the country — including SUN ’n FUN this week — to create interest in the history of the Tuskegee Airmen who flew similar red-tailed Mustangs over Europe from 1943 to 1945.

On Friday, April 24, the Thunderbirds will be on stage at 10 a.m. for a student assembly in the Aerospace Pavilion. Pi-lots, mechanics and medical support of-ficers will speak to the students, who are being brought in from high schools in and around Polk County.

Featured STEM partners and aviation programs will be found at the Education Showcase Thursday, April 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum. Exhibits include Admiral Farragut Academy, Bok Acad-

emy, Central Florida Aerospace Acade-my, Eagles Nest (Florida, Texas, Indiana, Wisconsin), Florida Air Academy, Flori-da Memorial University, Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, Florida Insti-tute of Technology, Florida Polytechnic, Florida Southern College, Jacksonville University, Lakeland Highlands Middle School, Nature Coast High School, Polk State College, and Traviss Career Center.

Also on April 23 at 11 a.m., be at the flightline as JetBlue Airways arrives with its Airbus and hosts 150 aviation students visiting for the day from New York City, Orlando, and Lakeland. JetBlue has made a major commitment to support the SUN ’n FUN Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) Mechanics training and hosts CFAA stu-dents at JetBlue University throughout the school year.

This year, there are more than 300 fo-rums on the schedule. Held at the Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA) and hosted by Polk State College, the forums fall into themed learning tracks such as Aerobatic, Alternative Engines, Sport Pi-lot/LSA, Type Club, FAA Wings Credit, Youth and FAA/IA Renewal.

Additional seminars are being held at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Associa-tion (AOPA) Special Activities tent, Para-dise City, and the FAA Safety Center.

Education for students of all ages offered this week

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The Red Tail Squadron’s traveling exhibit can be found on the warbird ramp.

The Central Florida Aerospace Academy on the SUN ’n FUN campus.


By MEG GODLEWSKI

“Have the judges been by yet?”This question is frequently uttered

by the owners of airplanes that have a PLEASE JUDGE ME card mounted on their propellers. You know the answer to the question when you see the judge’s ini-tials inscribed on the card — among them LK for Leonard Kress.

Kress, 73, has been writing on these prop cards at SUN ’n FUN for the better part of 20 years. For the last 12 he has car-ried the title of Chief Judge.

“That means I am in charge of keeping everything organized,” he laughs.

Kress works with a cadre of some 60 people, some in the field in teams of three to five people, others in clerical positions in the office. Their jobs? To find the best of the best, the most authentic, the most aesthetically pleasing, the most skillfully built aircraft from what is often a very crowded field — and to make sure those aircraft are recognized.

It’s not an easy task, says Kress, “be-cause no mother ever had an ugly baby.”

Translation: The aircraft is beautiful in the eye of the owner, so the judges know they have to keep their expressions neu-tral when looking at an aircraft, and not express any kind of opinion out loud.

Kress got his start in aviation in the 1970s as a crewman in the United States Air Force. He used the GI Bill to learn to fly, earning up through his multiengine commercial ticket, but decided not to pur-sue a career as an airline pilot.

“At the time the airlines were in a slump and I had a family to support,” he explains. “Instead I moved to Jacksonville and got my Airframe and Powerplant ticket. Then I bought a Bonanza and I have been flying that ever since.”

His interest in aviation brought him to SUN ’n FUN. Because of his experi-ence on both sides of the firewall, he was a natural for the position of aircraft

judge, so he went through the judge’s training program.

“The trainees are taught to use the man-ual set out by the Experimental Aircraft Association. The manual can be found on the EAA website for anyone who is inter-ested in having their aircraft judged,” says Kress. “It outlines requirements for all the different classes of aircraft, as well as the official judging standards.”

Trainee judges are paired with an ex-perienced judge in the field, he explains. Then they get to work: “We look at the overall appearance of the airplane, the au-thenticity of the cockpit, if it is an older airplane, how clean the engine is, how

straight and true the fuselage is, if there are any dents and, if it is an aluminum air-plane, how shiny it is.”

Owners gain points for having a clean airplane with an emphasis on authentic-ity. For example, there are some vintage aircraft owners who go so far as to in-stall false panels on their aircraft to hide modern radios when the aircraft is on the ground on display. Points are deducted for non-authentic items.

Other owners have detailed photo al-bums of the work that went into the air-plane, showing the journey from wreck to project to award hopeful machine. Points are awarded for the presentation.

Judging airplanes at SUN ’n FUN

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2014 Homebuilt Kit Built champion, a Swearingen SX-300 (left), and the 2014 Plansbuilt champion, a Hatz.


This week’s show features not one, but two jet teams to delight the SUN ’n FUN crowds.

Making their North American debut at this week’s show is the Breitling Jet Team, while the Thunderbirds will perform this weekend.

The Breitling Jet Team is made up of seven L-39C Albatros jets. The team promises a meticulous performance where the aircraft fly within 10 feet of each oth-er, at speeds of almost 435 mph and up to 8G accelerations.

Having flown across 36 countries around the world, the Breitling Jet Team will commence their “American Tour” by opening SUN ’n FUN on Tuesday and performing throughout the week.

“It will be the first time North Ameri-can audiences will have a chance to see the Breitling Jet Team, and witness the precision and unmatched skill that goes into their display,” said Breitling USA President Thierry Prissert. “They are the epitome of Breitling with pilots who are dedicated to their craft and constantly pushing the envelope with their daring maneuvers.”

Slated to perform Saturday and Sunday are the Thunderbirds, the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron.

The Thunderbirds, a perennial SUN ’n FUN favorite, fly the F-16 Fighting Fal-con, the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter jet.

The team’s demonstration begins with a “sharply choreographed, drill-style ground ceremony” that showcases the “attention to detail and esprit de corps that defines enlisted members,” Air Force of-ficials said.

“As their jets take to the skies and fly only a few feet from wingtip to wingtip, the crowd gets a glimpse of the awesome skills and capabilities that all fighter pilots must possess,” officials continue. “The solo pilots integrate their own loud and proud routine,” exhibiting the maximum capabilities of the F-16.”

While at SUN ’n FUN, the Thunderbird team also will participate in several com-munity events.

Two jet teams roar into Lakeland

The Thunderbirds are a perennial crowd favorite at SUN ’n FUN.

The Breitling Jet Team makes its North American debut at this week’s show.

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The SUN ’n FUN workshops are popu-lar, not only among homebuilders, but also aviation enthusiasts who want to try their hand at various aspects of aircraft building or maintenance.

All of the workshops are staffed by a combination of amateur and professional instructors with experience in the subjects they present. Many hold FAA Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) ratings and/or have extensive experience with vendors supplying the aviation community. Most of the volunteer instructors are builders themselves and enthusiastically share their experience with novice builders.

The workshops include:Woodworking, which includes con-• struction of wing ribs, fuselage, jigs and tooling and adhesives.Metal fabrication, which includes • sheet metal selection, cutting, drilling and riveting, fabrication of all metal aircraft components.Metal shaping, which covers the shap-• ing of custom compound shapes in aluminum using various metal shaping techniques and equipment.Oxy-fuel Welding of both steel and • aluminum.TIG/MIG Welding of both steel and • aluminum.Avionics/Electrical installation, which • covers the proper wire, terminals, tools

and techniques for installation of a re-liable aircraft electrical system.Electrical Noise, which includes the • proper installation and isolation of cir-cuits to reduce interference and “noise” in avionics systems.Fabric Aircraft Covering, where you • can get hands-on experience in fabric covering and doping.Rib Stitching, which demonstrates the • attachment of fabric to wing structures Composite Construction, which in-• cludes foam shaping and cutting, fiber-glass and resin selection and applica-tion and vacuum forming.Safety Wiring and Cable Swaging, • which covers the use of safety wire and proper tools for installation of safety wire and swaging of control cables.Engines and Firewall Forward Installa-• tions, which covers all things engines. Engine maintenance, assembly, modi-fication and installation are addressed, as well as display and run-up of vari-ous engines.

Many of the workshops are approved by the FAA for IA renewal.

The Workshops run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day of the show. The Work-shops are located near the Buehler Resto-ration Center.

There is no additional fee for attending any of the workshops.

Get hands-on at this week’s Workshops

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See your favorite planes in the Show-case Fly-Bys all week. The Fly-Bys are featured daily throughout the fly-in from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The fly-bys are an opportunity for manufacturers and individuals to display their aircraft in the air in the fly-by pattern

at show center while having it described over the public address system.

Pilots and their announcers are given a briefing at the Fly-By and Showcase Briefing building. Briefings are daily at 8 a.m., 9 a.m., and 10 a.m., and include a description of the Fly-By pattern, staging

and launching times. The Showcase crew will be on hand to stage, launch, and re-call each aircraft on a discrete radio fre-quency.

Each aircraft or group of manufac-turer’s aircraft have exclusive use of the Fly-By pattern for six minutes while their

representative extols its virtues over the PA system.

Look for a special Showcase Fly-By on Thursday, when students from the Lake-land AeroClub take to the skies in their re-stored Piper J-3 Cub, along with students from the Polk State Aviators.

Students featured in Showcase Fly-Bys

Visitors to SUN ’n FUN from around the globe are invited to stop in at the In-ternational Visitors hospitality tent, which is located at the treeline in the Southeast Exhibit area. From the front gate walk di-rectly towards the flight line and stop at the trees.

At the tent, you’ll find volunteers who are continually working to meet the needs of guests expected to arrive in Lakeland this week from more than 80 countries.

The tent features a board that tracks vis-itors. Each international visitor is asked to register and stick a pin in a world map de-

picting “home.”Translators are at the tent to assist in

communication needs, from buying tick-ets to finding a hotel to getting tickets to nearby attractions, including Legoland, Sea World, Busch Gardens, Disney and Universal.

The tent also features refreshments and a gathering place on the grounds for in-ternational visitors, courtesy of sponsor, The Florida Restaurant and Lodging As-sociation.

International visitors also are invited to an International Visitors Party Wednesday, April 22, at 5:30 p.m. at the Aerospace Pavilion next to the Aerospace Discovery at the Florida Air Museum. A food truck rally will provide refreshments, with en-tertainment by the Hoyt Hughes Band.

International Visitors Center welcomes the world

Volunteer opportunities are available at the Volunteer Center, located next to the Buehler Restoration Center.



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It was two years ago when Project STRATOS was launched by SUN ’n FUN to challenge the research and literary abil-ities of high school students to produce an aerospace-themed essay.

“It is our intention to use this competi-tion to bring awareness to the outstanding STEM (Science, Technology, Engineer-ing and Math) based programs conducted year-round at the Aerospace Center for Excellence on the SUN ’n FUN Conven-tion Campus,” said John “Lites” Leen-houts, SUN ’n FUN president and CEO.

This year’s winners, who are dubbed the 2015 Project STRATOS Squadron Ambassadors, include: Taylor Avery, Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA); Fiona Broomfield, Lakeland High School; Greg Holden, CFAA; Me-gan Holden, CFAA; Justin Keen, CFAA; Clayton McHugh, CFAA; Catie Rosenoff, George Jenkins High School; Sean Miller, CFAA; Benjamin Straw, Ridge Commu-nity High School; and, Tranise Wheeler, Teneroc High School.

Besides getting their essays published in this year’s commemorative program, the students also will attend the Dinner With Legends, slated for Thursday eve-ning.

They aren’t the only students who are winners.

The Commemorative Air Force (CAF)

also has chosen the recipients of the Tuskegee Airmen Leather Helmets.

On Thursday, April 23, Colonel Charles McGee, Tuskegee Airman, Lt. Colonel George Hardy, Tuskegee Airman, James Ray, SUN ’n FUN philanthropist, and Re-tired Navy Commodore Leenhouts will make the presentations to Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA) students.

Recipients of the famed leather helmets are Viola Gould, Clayton McHugh Luke Liptak, and, Lexi Wines.

Additionally, SUN ’n FUN officials note that Gould and Wines won second place for their presentation about Lt. Col-

onel Leo Gray at the Tuskegee Airmen for History Fair and will be representing CFAA at the State Competition May 3-5 in Tallahassee, Florida.

In other education news, SUN ’n FUN officials will officially dedicate the Pied-mont Aerospace Experience Thursday, April 23, at 10 a.m.

The Piedmont Aerospace Experience is a fully-functional aircraft that will be used as a learning center. The Boeing 727, donated by FedEx, will be the only facil-ity of its kind on a high school campus in the world, according to SUN ’n FUN officials.

SUN ’n FUN recently received $225,000 in funding from the Emil Bue-hler Perpetual Trust to be used towards the completion of the Piedmont Aero-space Experience.

The Emil Buehler Trust was established in 1984 to perpetuate the memory of Emil Buehler and his commitment to aviation science and technology. As an aviation visionary, architect and engineer, Buehler considered the majesty and mystery of flight more than a private interest. He had a vision to be shared during his lifetime and beyond. It is this same vision that is perpetuated today through the continuing philanthropic involvement of the Buehler Trust.

Several years ago, the trust donated the money to create the Buehler Restoration Center, which is an integral part of the SUN ’n FUN campus.

The new grant from the trust will enable the completion of the new learning center. It will house the Bernie Little Classroom and is dedicated in memory to Piedmont Airlines founder Tom Davis and Buehler.

Modern technology will allow students in the classroom to monitor the students in the cockpit as computer displays of all activity will be available. Students from CFAA, Polk State College and Traviss Career Center will have classes in the 727, according to SUN ’n FUN officials.

Education milestones recognized

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The Piedmont Aerospace Experience is near CFAA.

See us at SUN ’n FUN 2013 - Booth D061


By JAMIE BECKETT

Shhhh. I’m going to trust you to keep this to yourself. It’s a secret. It has been for years. Yet, I’m going to tell you the truth. Here. Now.

What I have to share is important. It truly is. For while it might not really be a closely held secret that’s been shielded from the wider public, it is information that’s unknown in the wider world and directly affects the future of general avia-tion in a very real way.

SUN ’n FUN has been one of the high-lights of my year for more than two de-cades. Literally thousands of people fly in, while even larger numbers drive onto the grounds of Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (KLAL). Untold numbers will camp in tents or in recreational vehicles this week. They’ll be beneath the wing of their aircraft, in the campgrounds, or parked beside their display space in Para-dise City.

General aviation comes alive here in central Florida this week.

But not everything is as it seems. And that’s the unknown tidbit of information. It’s the salient point we’ve all missed for too many years. Unheralded, unspoken, and often misunderstood — I am going to share with you the true reason that the SUN ’n FUN International Fly-In and Expo exists: It’s a fundraiser.

Yep. The primary reason for holding SUN ’n FUN each year is to raise funds for….wait for it….educational programs.

I’ll bet you didn’t know that. Most people don’t. SUN ’n FUN is essentially in the business of providing educational opportunities for young people, funding educational opportunities for young peo-ple, and encouraging people of all ages to consider aviation as a career or a hobby.

If you take the time to look behind the greasepaint and razzle-dazzle, you’ll no-tice there is a high school standing direct-ly across the street from what used to be known as the Florida Air Museum. That high school sits on SUN ’n FUN’s prop-erty.

You may also notice the building we all used to know as the Florida Air Museum is now known as the Aerospace Center for Excellence. And that’s not the result of a new logo, crisp paint, and a crafty mar-keting plan. It’s real. During the other 51 weeks of the year you’ll find students in the Center learning about all things avia-tion.

Those students are being educated, in-spired, motivated and mentored on a reg-ular basis, thanks to the dollars that come through SUN ’n FUN’s ticket window during its annual fundraiser.

Unlike Public Television, SUN ’n FUN doesn’t urge you to call in with a credit

card number and make a donation. Al-though you certainly can — and what a good idea it would be for each of us to do exactly that, now I think of it — they choose to hold a massive celebration of flight instead.

SUN ’n FUN provides a massive bang in exchange for your hard-earned buck. Not only do those who wander through the turnstiles get to see an incredible air-show up close, as well as rub elbows with aviation luminaries of past and present and meet the manufacturers, distributors, salespeople, and advocates of the industry face-to-face, but every single person who walks the grounds can also go home with a full heart knowing the dollars they spent will find their way back into a classroom or a workshop in a way that — directly or

indirectly — benefits the next generation of pilots, mechanics, designers, engineers, and administrators.

It could certainly be said that I go to SUN ’n FUN every year because it is my job. Or I could say I go because I meet so many fascinating people, see a great airshow, get to sit in a variety of amaz-ing aircraft, occasionally participate in a demo flight, and learn a new skill or two in the workshop tents.

Then again, I could tell people I go be-cause it makes me feel good about sup-porting aerospace education, the future of general aviation, and puts young people of all socioeconomic backgrounds into an environment where they can learn to thrive professionally and personally.

Each one of those descriptions of why

I go is true. But it’s that last one that re-ally matters in the long run. It’s the self-less reason.

You see, SUN ’n FUN isn’t really a one week fly-in and airshow. It’s a 52-week-a-year educational support system that has a profound impact on aviation in the United States.

So congratulations for being part of it all — and making a difference.

The secret is out — finally

Jamie Beckett is the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Ambassador in Florida and the Politics for Pilots columnist for General Aviation News. You can find him all this week at the AOPA Tent.

Need a slight break from all the ac-tivity? The Nature Trail behind Han-gar E has 16 stations located along the boardwalk detailing the Florida flora and fauna.


By MEG GODLEWSKI

The crowds on the flightline are ex-pected to be bigger this year due to the appearance of the Breitling Jet Team and the Thunderbirds. While this means more people will see your pride and joy, it also can put your airplane at greater risk for inadvertent damage.

Although you can’t be there all the time, there are some things you can do to protect your airplane when you aren’t around.

“Do not touch” placards are a must. These are provided for display aircraft when you register. These cardboard sleeves slip over the propeller.

Verify the security of your aircraft tie-downs. If you use single stakes, insert them into the ground at a diagonal. A stake inserted on a diagonal takes more force to lift out of the ground than one driven straight into the ground.

You may want to invest in the “claw” type of aircraft tie-down. Instead of a sin-gle stake in the ground, there are three at different angles. As the name implies, it resembles a claw when used properly. Ac-cording to pilots who use them, they are easier to install and remove, yet provide sturdier protection than the one-stake va-rieties.

Make sure gust locks are installed cor-rectly.

Do not leave anything near your air-plane that can be thrown, such as a foot-ball or a Frisbee, a model glider or even extra tie-down stakes. Also don’t leave any cleaning products that have a spray trigger around. One unsupervised kid is all it takes to do damage. Put these items out of sight.

Be careful of the position of your pro-peller. In camping areas experienced campers recommended that you turn the propeller so the blades are vertical. Some-one walking between rows at night is less likely to hit the blade.

In adverse weather, such as high winds, do not try to “save your airplane.” If the wind is blowing hard enough, the plane

could flip over and land on you. The air-craft can be replaced. You can’t.

Supervise the refueling of your air-craft.

Take all the expensive portable items, such as yoke-mounted GPS and headsets, out of your cockpit. Either lock them up or hide them well. Although most people are honest, there are some folks who see large events as an opportunity to steal.

Taxi a little bit slower than you would normally, especially if there are lots of people around. Some of them may be aviation novices and may walk with their backs to the aircraft or on taxiways in-stead of on footpaths, and could step into the line of a wing.

New for 2015 Signature Flight Support will provide a dedicated Pilot Services Center near Homebuilt registration along the flightline viewing area. The Pilot Ser-vices Center provides weather briefings, flight planning facilities, and more.

“SkyVector will be powering the flight-planning services portion of Signature Flight Support’s Pilot Services Center,” noted David Graves, SkyVector’s founder

and CEO. “We’ll be using SkyVector to help pilots plan their trips home.”

“Historically, Signature Flight Support hasn’t exactly had a GA-friendly reputa-tion,” admitted Patrick Sniffen, Signature Flight Support’s vice president of mar-keting. “Six years ago new management came on board and restructured our focus, regardless of aircraft or fuel type.”

To get to the heart of the matter, Signa-

ture sponsored a number of employees — more than 15 — who earned their private pilot certificates. “It allowed us to step into the shoes of a GA pilot,” he said. “We flew to other airports and FBOs to experi-ence what works and what doesn’t.”

What about fuel? Signature Flight Sup-port has 100LL at nearly all U.S.-based locations and mogas at a few. “Signature — from a corporate responsibility per-

spective — is 100% dedicated to finding a replacement for 100LL,” he said.

Many Signature locations can perform maintenance on most GA aircraft. “And if we can’t, our partners — on the field in most cases — will be able to,” noted Sniffen. “We’ll take care of you.”

The center will be open from 8 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. daily, with live weather brief-ings at 10:30 a.m. and 5:45 p.m.

Protect your plane

Signature Flight Support sponsors Pilot Services Center


SUN ’n FUN has made a commitment to the future, with its mission to “Building a Brighter Future through Aviation.”

In that vein, SUN ’n FUN is offering expanded educational opportunities and youth activities not just this week, but all year round.

For those at the fly-in, daily activities begin at 9 a.m. at the Piedmont Hangar Workshops (just past the Florida Air Mu-seum). Activities, which will run until 2 p.m., are age specific.

Children in Grades K-6 will be intro-duced to the creative side of science, with encouragement and supplies to explore kites, windsocks, parachutes, foam air-planes and paper airplanes or experience an art project on paper or their face.

Kids in Grades 7-12 will have the op-portunity to work with engines, electrical circuits, motors, weather, wave forms, and

rocketry and even try a flight simulator.Volunteers also will offer kids tours,

from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The interactive walking tour may include flying aircraft demonstrations, antique aircraft, forums, rotorcraft, ultralight and light-sport air-planes, historic warbird airplanes, a mu-seum visit, and more.

The Florida Air Museum also will be open, and officials invite kids to explore the exhibitors and authors on site, as well as the interactive learning devices like wind tunnels and weather stations that have been donated for use and will be added to the new science center.

Also returning this year is the Kid Zone, near the front entrance, which is packed with aviation-themed activities.

Be aware that tickets for the Kid Zone are required.

Ticket prices start at 26 tickets for $20,

with 60 tickets for $40. An all-day pass to ride the inflatables is $20.

It takes 10 tickets to ride the zip line, and five to try the rock wall. Inflatables,

including the Space Shuttle Slide, Bounce House, Jolly Jumping Jet, Space Camp Combo, Wall E 3-1, and the Obstacle Course, are two tickets each.

Kids activities abundant during the fly-in

Due to record rainfall over the last six months, SUN ’n FUN has cancelled the Seabird Splash-In that has been held an-nually on Lake Agnes at Fantasy of Flight during SUN ’n FUN.

SUN ’n FUN officials report the Lake

Agnes water level is more than 2 feet above normal, which creates numerous hazards to seaplane operations in the form of hidden obstructions and very shallow and long approaches to land access.

Additionally, both the dock and ramp

at Fantasy of Flight are essentially unus-able.

“This decision does not come lightly and was made after a recommendation from the SUN ’n FUN Seabirds chairman and discussions with Seaplane Pilots As-sociation leadership and others,” officials said in a prepared release.

SUN ’n FUN officials noted that Fan-

tasy of Flight founder Kermit Weeks and his team were “ready and willing to sup-port this year’s event and we thank them for their preparation efforts to make it happen.”

A Saturday night BBQ dinner at the SUN ’n FUN Seabird area on the conven-tion grounds will be held prior to the eve-ning airshow and fireworks.

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By BEN SCLAIR

For those people on the SUN ’n FUN grounds early Sunday morning, you’ll likely hear a groundswell of noise wind its way through the exhibit area and campground. Don’t be alarmed, it’s just the army of volunteers celebrating the 13th annual Volunteer Parade.

Volunteers from around the world make SUN ’n FUN what it is. To celebrate, they will gather at 7:30 a.m. in front of the FAA building, then depart for the parade.

At 8 a.m. the parade will arrive at the Announcer’s Stand for the annual Trophy Presentation to the Grand Marshall. This year, that’s SUN ’n FUN Radio.

Informally, the “parade” started in the early 1980s when Freddie Quinn — long-

time SUN ’n FUN volunteer Suzy Eick-hoff’s father — was Air Ops Chairman. He started the Airside Ground Safety

team with Kirby Orme as its chairman. The team would ride their motorcycles in formation to the Air Ops building for the

morning briefing. It was very much pomp and circumstance ending in salutes and formation departure to assignments.

Later, after Freddie retired from the Air Ops Chairmanship, he rode with the Air-side Ground Safety Team. In the morning they would gather in the Volunteer Camp-ground and ride out to airside together in formation with Freddie in the lead.

As time passed, other volunteers would join the formation in their decorated golf carts, trucks, or whatever and ride out through the campground to celebrate. Thus, the formal Volunteer Parade began.

“After Dad passed away in 2002, it was decided that the Volunteer Parade should continue with a new volunteer area cho-sen to act as the Grand Marshall,” said Suzy Eickhoff.

The Parts Exchange, which returns this year to Hangar E, is a popular stopping place for aircraft owners and homebuild-

ers in search of the perfect part to com-plete their project.

Items at the Parts Exchange are sold on

consignment. Those wishing to sell parts can purchase tags for the items for 50 cents each.

Parts of all types are accepted for sale. The exception is tires and batteries, which Florida law prohibits including in the Parts Exchange.

Tires mounted on aircraft wheel assem-blies will be accepted if described as such on the tag, Parts Exchange volunteers add.

The Parts Exchange will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day of the fly-in, except Sunday, when sales will stop at noon.

All payments will be made in cash un-less the consignor specifically states on the tag that he or she will accept a per-sonal check. Cash is the preferred method of payment, according to volunteers, who note that no credit cards or check cash-ing will be available. ATM machines are

located on the grounds for those planning to shop at the Parts Exchange.

Consignors may claim unsold items or change prices at any time during regular business hours by asking for assistance from any Parts Exchange Volunteer. No items will be sold if the tag has been al-tered in any way or is not legible.

The Parts Exchange tent will be open for consignors only on Sunday, from noon until 5 p.m. to claim unsold items.

The tent will close promptly at 5 p.m. and any unclaimed items will become do-nations to SUN ’n FUN, Parts Exchange volunteers noted.

Volunteer Parade set for Sunday

Shop ’til you drop at the Parts Exchange

The Veterans Plaza is back again this year in the Southeast Exhibit Area, bigger than ever.

Organizations participating in the pla-za this year include Air America, which is commemorating the 40th anniversary of leaving Saigon, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 787 and Chapter 1040, The Bomber Girls, Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association of Florida, National Warplane Museum, Military Officers of America, Lodwick School of Aeronautics, Steel Soldiers, Military Vehicle Group, Flight to Honor, Team Tomahawk, and more.

There also will be pilot chats and pre-sentations, World War II re-enactors, World War II military vehicles, as well as the debut of the Mohawk OV-1.

Several aircraft will be on display and members and officials with the organiza-tions are available to answer any ques-tions.

Also located in Veterans Plaza is an in-formal area for veterans and active-duty military to meet up, share stories and en-joy the fly-in.

Veterans Plaza returns


There is a lot to see and do this week at SUN ’n FUN, but for officials of the fly-in, safety is always the first priority.

SUN ’n FUN officials realize that peo-ple want to see the vast array of aircraft up close, which is why the flightline is open to the crowds.

But it’s important that everyone in crowd follow some simple rules to ensure that everyone at the show — as well as the aircraft on display — are protected.

By entering the flightline area, you agree to follow these important safety rules:

Aircraft in motion have spinning pro-• pellers that can cause serious injuries. Be aware of this at all times to avoid injury to you and those you are with.Aircraft always have the right of way. • Please yield.No food is permitted on the flightline • (except for airside food vendor loca-tions).Pets are not permitted on the con-• vention site. They are allowed in the campgrounds on leashes.Do not touch the aircraft without the • owner’s permission.Supervise your children closely so they • don’t inadvertently hurt themselves or damage the aircraft.Make sure your lawn chairs are attend-•

ed or they may blow away and cause damage to people or aircraft.Please mind your camera, belt buckles • and other clothing or accessories when

bending over to look at an airplane. These items can damage paint jobs worth thousands of dollars.No smoking is allowed on the flight-•

line or around display aircraft.If you have the opportunity, please • thank the pilots who bring their aircraft to SUN ’n FUN!

Stay safe

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One of the most beautiful SUN ’n FUN traditions — the Saturday morning Bal-loon Launch — is also one that many people haven’t seen since it begins at the crack of dawn.

On Saturday morning, starting about 6:30 a.m., hot air balloon pilots will in-flate their balloons just past the Warbird Ramp.

Weather permitting, the balloons will launch in a traditional “Hare and Hound” race. As the name suggests, this event involves chasing a single balloon after it takes off. This balloon acts as the “hare” and floats in the air for a short while before other balloons are allowed to take off. The balloons that follow are the “hounds,” and the winning balloon is the one who lands closest to the “hare.”

During the week, look for daily dem-onstration flights of balloons from the Ul-tralight field by commercial firms, usually around 7 a.m.

Also look for the “balloon glow,” when the balloons inflate, at twilight and before the two night airshows.

The pilots who bring their balloons to SUN ’n FUN are part of a group of sea-soned airshow veterans from around the world.

Hot air balloon pilots carry an FAA is-sued pilot’s license in the “Lighter than

Air” Category. In addition to passing the traditional written tests, a pilot is specially trained in balloon mechanics, safety, pro-

cedures, and the unique flight character-istics of balloons. Rated as either private or commercial, pilot competence can only

be attained by extensive experience in ac-tual flight, according to seasoned balloon pilots.

Balloons launch Saturday morning

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By BEN SCLAIR

Tampa Bay’s MacDill Air Force Base is 75 years old. To pay tribute, a flight of four T-6s, four CJ-6s and a B-25 took off from SUN ’n FUN and flew in formation over the base on Wednesday morning.

With smoke on, the nine-ship formation flew two sweeping circuits over MacDill at 1,000 feet. Before the second lap was complete, word came up from the tower: “We’ve been instructed by base leader-ship to ask if you’ll make one more cir-cuit. They said what you are doing is awe-some.”

Flight lead Allen Miller from the B-25 “Betty’s Dream,” responded, “We’re all about awesome. One more circuit will be no problem.”

The formation departed MacDill air-space to the northwest over Old Tampa Bay and turned east to fly over Tampa In-ternational Airport, again with smoke on.

Fifty minutes after departing, the nine-ship formation landed back at LAL.

Mission complete.

‘We’re all about awesome’

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By MEG GODLEWSKI

Airshow performer Will Allen of Will Allen Airshows, known as “The Flying Tenor,” makes his East coast debut at this week’s SUN ’n FUN.

Allen is a relative newcomer to the air-show circuit. His high energy, rock and roll airshow premiered on the West coast in July 2014 at the Arlington Fly-in in Ar-lington, Wash., just north of Seattle.

Allen, who hails from the Pacific north-west, has been flying for more than 20 years. He’s been flying aerobatics for 12 years and is known as a skilled aerobatics instructor, teaching people to defy gravity from the cockpit of a Decathlon.

Allen began his airshow career in 2008 by singing the National Anthem from the cockpit of the Decathlon at the Arlington event. Today, his airshow act is done with a Pitts.

In addition to being a pilot, Allen is also an accomplished musician. He sings, plays

guitar and is a self-described “dabbler on drums and a few more instruments.”

The rock and roll airshow is a way for him to combine his passion for aerobatics and music.

“I wanted to expand on that while mov-ing more toward my higher energy per-

sonality,” he said. “So it seemed writing the music purposely for the show was the way to go.”

Allen performs a 12-minute routine to “Airshow Man,” an original piece record-ed by the Will Allen Airshow band.

“The music was arranged not to be just

a song, but to be a soundtrack to an air-show routine,” he explains. “Utilizing the control we have of the music with special-ized equipment enabled me to write the music in a way that it could be timed to the show real time, thus allowing me to sing parts of it live to the crowd and hav-ing the music timed perfectly to the ma-neuvers.”

Performing in an airshow is all about multi-tasking, says Allen, because not only does he have to fly the airplane he has to listen to the airshow boss in his ear and keep on track with the music and lyr-ics. It takes a lot of practice and coordina-tion to make the performances work.

Allen is looking forward to this week’s debut.

“I’m performing Friday as the Anthem opening act and Saturday with the Rock n Roll Act and Sunday with both the An-them and the Rock n Roll act. Just be ready to rock ‘n roll and don’t be afraid to get up and dance!”

Will Allen makes his SUN ’n FUN debut

Garmin SeminarsGarmin is hosting seminars each day

of SUN ’n FUN at Seminar Tent N11

(on the airport side of Hangar D). The daily schedule includes: 9:15 a.m.: Ac-tion Cameras and Portable Products; 10 a.m.: Flying with Upgraded Avionics:

GTN 750/650 Series and G600/G500; 11 a.m.: ADS-B Solutions: Fly Safer Now with Garmin Vantage; 12 p.m.: iPad and Android Tablets: Plan, File, Fly

with Garmin Pilot; 1 p.m.: Avionics for Experimental Aircraft: G3X Touch; and 2 p.m.: Cockpit Connectivity: Garmin Connext.

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Want to try your hand at flying a re-motely-piloted aircraft?

DRONE23 and Yuneec Electric Avia-tion will have a Typhoon Q500+ at the “DroneZone” at booth LD-12. There’s no cost and you’ll have an experienced in-structor at your disposal.

The Q500+ is an aerial quadcopter, ca-pable of flying up to 25 minutes on a single charge. A video camera captures 1080P

video and 16 megapixel still photos. The Q500+ incorporates safety features, in-cluding a no-fly database of airports that prevents it from starting up or operating in those areas. The safety system also incor-porates a 400-feet AGL altitude limiter, preventing the quadcopter from entering off-limits airspace. At SUN ’n FUN, all operations are conducted within an en-closed “DroneZone” caged area.

Test fly a drone

April 24, 2015 33

The “Mystery Box” from last year’s Gathering of Eagles fundraiser at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh will be heading to Georgia to benefit an education program for young people, thanks to the combined efforts of the Experimental Aircraft As-sociation, Sonex Aircraft, and longtime aviator Ron Alexander.

The contents of the “Mystery Box” — a full Sonex Aircraft kit — was offi-cially handed to Alexander by EAA and Sonex during a program Thursday at SUN ’n FUN. The kit will be used as part of the youth mentorship program at historic Candler Field in Williamson, Georgia, designed to inspire and support young people with an interest in aviation.

“I can’t imagine a better home for this aircraft kit than the Candler Field Youth Mentorship Program,” said Jack Pelton, EAA’s chairman of the board. “It shows how what we do at Oshkosh during the Gathering of Eagles brings all of us to-gether for a single purpose and has a di-rect influence on developing a new gen-eration within aviation.”

Following SUN ’n FUN, the aircraft kit will be delivered to Candler Field, which is located just south of Atlanta. Later this year, it will become part of a program that teaches aircraft building and restoration skills under the supervi-sion of adult leaders.

The Sonex aircraft was auctioned on July 31, 2014, and purchased by bidders who donated it back for an educational purpose. Alexander, who is renowned for his interest in education, represented the Candler Field youth mentorship program. He is a force in the preservation of Can-dler Field, located just south of Atlanta, and establishment of the Peachstate Aero-drome and aviation museum there.

“We at Sonex truly believe in making flying affordable, attainable and fun,” said John Monnett, Sonex founder and presi-dent. “We know that this project will get young people to that ‘A-ha’ moment when they discover the how that they can put something together that will take to the sky. We’re excited to watch the progress of our aircraft as it takes place.”

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Thursday at SUN ’n FUN, Lightspeed Aviation Foundation revealed the names of 12 charities, selected from hundreds of nominees, as the finalists to participate in the Sixth Annual Lightspeed Aviation Foundation Pilots Choice Awards grant program.

The finalists are: Angel Flight West, Civil Air Patrol, Experience Aviation, JAARS, Miracle Flights for Kids, Mis-sionary Flights International, Mission

Aviation Foundation, New Tribes Mission Aviation, The Ninety-Nines, Patient Air-Lift Services, Patriots Jet Team Founda-tion, and Pilots N Paws.

Vote for your favorites at LightspeedA-viationFoundation.org. Winning organi-zations will receive awards up to $10,000, depending on their final vote ranking.

The winners will be revealed Oct. 16 at The Flying Aviation Expo in Palm Springs, California.

Lightspeed finalists named

Airshow legend and glider pilot Manfred radius had his name added to the SuN ’n FuN Walk of Fame near the Vertical riser.

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Weather — elsewhere, not here — as well as personal and paperwork issues, thinned the field of Wednesday’s Sprint 40 race.

The field consisted of just four.“Whether it’s four or 40, we have a

good time,” said Racer Les Burril from the cockpit of his Midget Mustang.

Because there was only one pilot in each

of four classes, “everyone’s a winner,” said Sprint 40 organizer Craig Payne.

The winners were: Jeff Barnes, Kenosha, Wis., Van’s RV-6; 192.2 knots (1 penalty mile); Stan Sutterfield, Port Orange, Fla., Van’s RV-8A, 198.31 knots; Les Burril, Cleveland, Ga., Bushby MM-1, 171.95 knots Colin Hales, Banbury, England, Rand KR-2, 105.95 knots.

Sprint 40 winners

On the Walk of Fame

Pipistrel offers show special

Pipistrel is offering a show special this week. All orders placed during SUN ’n FUN will include a free $5,000

Galaxy Rescue System Whole Plane Parachute.

Find out more at Paradise City (LP04) or at the LSA Mall, Space H.

Participate all week with

Whether you’re a pilot, an aspiring pilot, or just love airplanes, EAA will help you get the most out of aviation.• Purchase your EAA AirVenture

Oshkosh 2015 tickets• See SUN ‘n FUN from the air in our

historic Ford Tri-Motor or B-17• Enter the 2015 EAA Sweepstakes• Pull a rivet, help build a Sonex Onex fuselage,

or check out the One Week Wonder built during AirVenture 2014

• Get a FREE aircraft insurance quote or learn about our aircraft fi nance program

• Attend daily EAA forums• Participate in member benefi t activities

Visit the EAA Tent to learn more.

April 24, 2015 35

By BEN SCLAIR

George Hammond is a 90-year-old from Longwood, Florida. He’s also a World War II veteran.

“I turned 19 after coming home from my first tour in World War II,” said Ham-mond.

He flew PBYs mostly, but flew anything and everything he could get his hands on.

“I flew a P-51 once,” he recalled. “I wasn’t supposed to, but they needed a ferry pilot, so I did it.”

Years later, to thank him for his ser-vice, Freedom Flyers — an organization that honors veterans by taking them fly-ing — took Hammond for a ride in the P-51 Mustang “Pecos Bill” on Warbird Wednesday at SUN ’n FUN.

By how quickly Hammond climbed the ladder onto the wing and then into the cockpit, I’d say he was pretty excited for his second flight in a P-51. And why wouldn’t he be?

Thank you Mr. Hammond.Freedom-Flyers.org

Freedom Flyers honors vet

At this week’s SUN ’n FUN, Electroair reported it has received design approval and an FAA-PMA for its EIS-41000 se-ries electronic ignition system for the Ly-coming IO-AEIO-390 series of engines.

Electroair also added a large number of airframes to its list of approved airframes for the electronic ignition system.

“This expansion just about rounds out the four-cylinder STC and makes it one of the most comprehensive list of aircraft and engines approved for an engine acces-sory,” noted Michael Kobylik, president.

The updated Approved Model List (AML) can be found on the Electroair website (Electroair.net).

Kobylik also noted that STC approval of the company’s electronic ignition system has been earned for all normally aspirated Continental Engines (360, 470, 520 and 550 Series engines), as well as all Turbo-Charged Continental Engines (360, 470, 520 and 550 Series engines).

He reported that approvals for the tur-bocharged Lycoming six-cylinder engines should be received by fall.

“That’s the last piece of the puzzle,” he said, noting they are using a Piper Malibu as the test airplane for these approvals.

Next for the company are STCs for he-licopters, both four and six cylinder, start-ing with the Robinson R-22 and R-44, he said. They hope to have those STCs in hand by the end of the year.

The company also has begun the pro-cess to earn EASA certification of its igni-tion systems, he added.

Kobylik also reported that the Civil Air Patrol is going to begin using Electroair’s electronic ignition systems as the organi-zation begins refurbishing its fleet of more than 550 airplanes.

“This is a notable accomplishment to be recognized by CAP,” Kobylik said.

Find out more at Electroair’s exhibit in Hangar B, Booth 72 or at Electroair.net.

george hammond (left) with Cowden Ward Jr., the pilot of his Freedom Flyers flight.

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Electroair wins FAA nod

Win a SUN ’n FUN 2016 experienceExperience Kissimmee is giving away a SUN ’n FUN 2016 experience.The winner gets: Round trip airfare for four; six-day/five-night accommodations

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What’s happening todaySUN ’n FUN 2015

SUN ’n FUN FORUMSForums are held in classrooms at the Central Florida Aviation Academy (CFAA). Volunteers are near all entrances to help you find the right room.

Rm# 9 am

1 ADS-B Solutions in the Cockpit, John Zimmerman

2 Aviation Scholarships: Not just for Kids, Dr. Peggy Chabrian

3 3D Scanning and Printing: Poten-tial for a New GA Aviation Industry, Dr. Damayanthie Eluwawalage

4 Day in the life of a NORAD fight-er pilot, LtCol Kevin Roethe/LtCol Mike McMillin

5 Buyer Beware (What to look for when buying an aircraft), Scott “Sky” Smith

6 Airpark Real Estate: Living the Dream, George Gratton

7 Composites: Wet Vacuum Bag vs. Infusion, Michael Bergen

8 Designing the perfect paint scheme/vinyl eesign for your air-craft, Craig Barnett

9 Ignition System Maintenance, Bill Ross

10 Auto Engine Conversions, Pat Panzera

11 Building and flying Thatcher Light Sport Aircraft, Dr. Glen Brad-ley

Rm# 10 am

1 Handling in-flight emergencies, part one, Joe Kuberka

2 Flying the Beech Bonanza and Baron, Thomas P. Turner

3 Rules and Regs of Homebuild-ing, Charlie Becker

4 CarterCopter update and test results, Jay Cater

5 ADS-B, Peter Ring

6 FAR Refresher for Pilots: Bring logbook for BFR Ground Credit, John Yodice/Kathy Yodice/Michael Yodice

7 Pietenpol, John Hoffman

8 In-Flight Emergency! Don’t be overwhelmed, Fred Herbert

9 Training International Students the Right Way, Michelle Haworth


11 I’m a Sport Pilot, now what can I do? Carl Houghton

Rm# 11 am

1 Handling in-flight emergencies, part two, Joe Kuberka

2 Intro to FlyQ EFB, Steve Podrad-chik

3 A&P/IA Licensing Process and FAR Review, Thomas D. Black

4 IAC

6 Free CSC DUATS: The Future of Flight Planning, Terry Stalvey

8 Real Estate with Runways: Live the Dream, Kathie Beaty/Carol Vandervliet

9 SubSonex Personal Jet Update, John Monnett


11 The New Generation Gyroplane, Robert Snyder

Rm# 12 pm

1 iPad Takes Flight! EFB Chal-lenge Contest to Test Skills, Charles Schneider

2 Navigating in and around Special Use Airspace (SUA), Lt Col David Paulsgrove

3 Medical Fitness for General Aviation Pilots, Dr. Mary Pat Mc-Kay

4 IAC

5 Don’t leave home without it! Ste-ven McCaughey

6 Debrief with CloudAhoy for In-strument Pilots, Chuck Shavit

7 Airparks: The selection process-Landing on grass, Ron Heidebrink

8 Secrets only pilots know about airports, Tom Slater

9 Aircraft Inspection Techniques, Bill Evans



11 Zenith CH 750 Cruiser: The Con-vergence of cruise and STOL, Se-bastian Heintz

Rm# 1 pm

1 Flying Van’s RV Aircraft, Tips, Techniques, Q&A, Jan Bussell

3 Why GAMI’s G100UL is the “Wright” fuel for GA, Timothy Roehl

4 Elusive Stick and Rudder Skills: A provocative conversation, Jim Alsip

5 Airline pilot shortage & job mar-ket in 2015, Kit Darby

6 How to pass your FAA checkride, tips from a pilot examiner, Frank Gallagher

7 5 easy ways to fly safer, Dr. Larry Diamond

8 Flight planning for the 21st Cen-tury, Tom Slater

9 Aircraft Inspection Techniques, Bill Evans

10 Spyder Corvair Conversion En-gine Applications, William Clapp

11 Light Sport Buying and Flying Tips, Louis Mancuso

FAA FORUMSFAA Forums are held at the FAA Aviation Safety Center located in the middle of the exhibit area at the corner of Laird Drive and SUN ’n FUN Drive. The FAA Center opens daily at 8 am and the FAA Exhibits are open daily 9 am to 5 pm.8:30 am ADS-B for General Aviation Pi-lots, Robert Nichols, Surveillance Services Group Manager10 am The Kings on Unwanted Adven-ture, John and Martha King, King Schools11:30 am Flight Service, Mike Glasgow, Lockheed Martin1 pm FAASTeam Wings Program, Guy Minor, FAA Safety Team Outreach

PARADISE CITY FORUMSLight-Sport Aircraft, Sport Pilot and Ul-tralight forums are held in the Paradise City Briefing/Forum Tent.10:30 a.m. 2 Stroke Rotax Engine Re-view, Phil Lockwood, Lockwood Aviation12 p.m. Aviation Fuels From A Main-tenance Perspective, Brian Stirm, Purdue University and Swift Fuels1:30 p.m. Training 101: UL, Sport, Rec-reational & Private Pilot, Timm Bogenha-gen, EAA3 p.m. The Modern Gyroplane, Bob Snyder, Auto Gyro

MUSEUM PROGRAMSFriday, April 24, 2015 9 am UAS (Drone) use in Law Enforce-ment, Alan Frazier, Associate Professor, University of North Dakota10 am UAS Rules and Regulations and how it relates to General Aviation, Jim Wil-liams, Manager of the FAA’s Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS)11 am SR-71 Design, Development & Operations, SR-71 Crewmembers12 pm Think Outside the Shoe: Jessica Cox, first licensed armless pilot1 pm Panel Discussion, Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs)

AOPA ACTIVITY TENT FORUMSA variety of forums will be held throughout the week at the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Activity Tent.10 a.m. Laugh & Learn, Rod Machado11 a.m. Mind Over Matter: Strengthening The Weakest Link, George Perry12 p.m. Garmin: ADS-B Solutions For The Future, Jim Alpiser1 p.m. The Top Five Things You Need To Know About FAA Enforcement, Kathy Yodice2 p.m. Weather & Traffic On Your iPad: What You See & What You Don’t, Eric Rush

AIRSHOWSoCommAeroshell Aerobatic Team - AT-6 Texan Formation TeamGeico Skytypers - AT-6 Texan Aerobat-icsGreg KoontzJim PeitzRob HollandWill AllenBreitling Jet Team - U.S. Debut! 7-ship L-39 Jet TeamMike GoulianPatty WagstaffMatt YounkinKyle Franklin

EVENING ENTERTAINMENT6 p.m. at the Aerospace Pavilion“The Dynamic Duo: Beyond the Repo”Airplane Repo’s - Ken Cage and Danny Thompson share their amazing stories!7 p.m. at the Aerospace PavilionGary Powers, Jr.

EVENING MOVIE7 p.m. at the Central Florida Aerospace Academy, Amelia


Scenes from SUN ’n FUN

Photo by Ryan Cleaveland

Photo by Ken Strohm Photo by Ken Strohm

Photo by Ken Strohm Photo by Matt Genuardi

Photo by Ken StrohmPhoto by Ken Strohm



Documents

SNF Today Apr. 24