Alien Sightings Were Not A Concern For This Testing Run... Maybe

Sun 'n Fun's first night airshow is Wednesday night, and by Tuesday evening 60 performers didn't have their wings attached. The 60 drones sat on a level patch of ground in the center of Lakeland Linder International Airport, ready to test their show. A crew of four from the Great Lakes Drone Company--Owner and CEO Matthew Quinn, Ashley Munson, Christian Nitz, and Lindsey Nitz--unloaded the small aircraft from the trailer where they lay on the floor, setting them out on the grass instead. The drones connect to Quinn's computer inside the trailer, sending in data about speed, position, satellite connection, and more. The accuracy begins at 3 meters, but counts down to the target of only 0.8 m.

From 2016 (YouTube Version): Can You Put Dynon’s EFIS-D10A In Your Airplane?

While at Sun ‘n Fun 2016, ANN CEO and Editor-In-Chief, Jim Campbell, talked with Dynon Avionics president, Robert Hamilton, to get the details about something that is a game changer. Dynon is well known in the experimental aircraft and light sport aircraft community for supplying avionics that do not require an FAA STC for installation. Their EFIS-D10A has been a popular choice for owners of experimental and light sport aircraft, but now it can be installed in type-certificated aircraft through the use of a single STC that is held by the Experimental Aircraft Association.

After Entry Into The Canyon, The Airplane Turned Sharply To The Right And The Witness Lost Sight

On April 3, 2021, about 1735 central daylight time, a Magnus Fusion 212 airplane, N434MA, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Conifer, Colorado. The sport pilot was fatally injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. A review of air traffic control (ATC) information revealed the airplane departed about 1658 from Colorado Air and Space Port Airport (FCO), Denver, Colorado. The airplane flew southwest and the last ATC information was recorded about 1729 as the airplane flew near Deckers, Colorado about 800 ft above ground level (agl).

Leenhouts Also Noted The Camp Grounds Are Already Full

At the briefing for the media at the Sun and Fun Press Building, CEO and President of the Sun n Fun Aerospace John Leenhouts said, “The world is ready for an aviation event” after working with government and heath agencies, the Sun n Fun team came up with protocols that made the event a reality. Leenhouts noted that their social media hits are over 1.1 million and current revenues for the event are 1.2 million in pre-event sales. Leenhouts also noted the camp grounds are full, and aircraft clubs such as the Cessna 195 and Piper Comanche clubs are flying to Sun n Fun in numbers those organizations have never before seen.

Cabin Door Departed The Airplane And Impacted The Horizontal And Vertical Stabilizer

On March 18, 2021, about 1427 mountain standard time, an experimental Lancair Evolution, N469KS, was substantially damaged when it was involved in an accident near Phoenix, Arizona. The pilot was not injured. The airplane was operated as a Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations Part 91 personal flight. According to the pilot, he began a climb after he departed on an instrument flight rules flight plan from an airport in Mesa, Arizona. As the airplane climbed through FL220, approximately 30 nm east of the pilot’s destination airport, the cabin door departed the airplane and impacted the horizontal and vertical stabilizer.

Pledges to 'Fuel' the Next Generation of Aviators

Sheltair has agreed to an official partnership with SUN ‘n FUN, supporting the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) while becoming the official fuel provider for the world-famous airshow at Lakeland Linder International Airport. In addition to an in-kind contribution, Sheltair will donate $0.10 per gallon on all uplifts during the event to ACE's Project Skylab, a STEM learning center designed to provide hands-on activities for the next generation of aviation professionals. Since ACE's opening in 2014, SUN ‘n FUN’s proceeds have supported the non-profit aerospace organization whose mission is to engage, educate, and accelerate the aerospace industry's professionals of tomorrow.

From Sun 'N Fun 2016 (YouTube Version): Looks Like A Jet, Flies Like A GA Airplane…

While at Sun ‘n Fun 2016, ANN News Editor, Tom Patton, saw a light-airplane that looked like a stylized F-15. The airplane is called the PJ-II “Dreamer”. To get the details, Tom talked with Len Bechtold, who designed the engine for the aircraft, as well as the technical director of design, Ben Kolotilin. The Design of this fascinating airplane originated in Russia and has now been brought to the United States with the hopes of placing it into production. 

"Sheltair has provided excellent service to our SUN ‘n FUN guests for years. Having them engage in such a fantastic effort to help support our Aerospace Center for Excellence as an official partner is very exciting. We are very grateful and look forward to expanding our partnership in the coming months!" Source: John "Lites" Leenhouts, president and CEO of SUN ‘n FUN / Aerospace Center for Excellence, discussing the many ways that an agreement with Sheltair is positively impacting future aviators.