Sun 'n Fun facts for kids
 |
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| Formation | 1974 |
|---|---|
| Type | Nonprofit organization |
| Legal status | 501(c)(3) public charity |
| Purpose | Aviation education |
| Location | |
| Services | Fly-ins & other aviation events |
| Fields | Aviation |
|
President & CEO
|
Gene Conrad |
|
Parent organization
|
Aerospace Center for Excellence |
The Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo (also called SUN 'n FUN) is a cool event in Lakeland, Florida. It's a nonprofit organization that teaches people about aviation. Sun 'n Fun is famous for its big, week-long fly-in and airshow. This exciting event happens every year at Lakeland Linder International Airport, usually in late March or early April.
Before 2020, it was known as the Sun ’n Fun International Fly-In and Expo. The name changed to Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo in April 2019.
Besides the main event, Sun 'n Fun used to run the Florida Air Museum. It also supported the Central Florida Aerospace Academy. This academy is a special high school program focused on aviation. In 2019, the fly-in became part of the Aerospace Center for Excellence. This group helps young students learn about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
History of Sun 'n Fun
The first Sun 'n Fun event happened in 1974. It started as a small gathering for pilots and aviation fans.
Aviation Education and Museums
The Florida Air Museum is located right on the Sun 'n Fun campus. It's at the Lakeland Linder International Airport. This museum is a great place to learn about the history of flight.
In 2010, Sun 'n Fun received a large grant to build a new home for the Central Florida Aerospace Academy. This school helps high school students learn skills for jobs in aviation. The new building opened in 2011. It allowed many more students to join the program.
Exciting Moments at the Expo
The very first Sun 'n Fun fly-in was in January 1975. It was called Mid-Winter Sun 'n Fun. About 1,980 guests and 365 aircraft attended. The next year, the event grew to a full week. The public was invited to come and see the planes. Over 1,200 aircraft showed up, including many unique types. In 1977, something very rare happened: snow fell at the airport during the show!
Many famous aviation acts have performed at Sun 'n Fun:
- In 1997, the Brazilian Air Force's amazing Smoke Squadron performed.
- In 2000, airshow legend Bob Hoover flew his last flight in his Shrike Commander plane.
- In 2002, Bobby Younkin showed off the world's first aerobatic Learjet.
- In 2004, Bruce Bohannon set four world records for how fast his plane could climb.
In 2011, an EF1 tornado hit the airshow grounds. It damaged some aircraft and tents. Luckily, only a few people had minor injuries. The airshow bravely continued the very next day!
More recent shows have also featured exciting performances:
- The 2015 show had the first US performance by the Breitling Jet Team.
- In 2017, the French Air Force's Patrouille de France aerobatic team performed. This was only their second time in the US in over 30 years!
See also
- EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
- Air & Sea Show – another airshow in South Florida
