28 March to 3 April – Known as the “Aviation Season Opening” in the United States, this year Sun ‘n Fun promises to be a memorable show.

Images: Courtesy of Jim Koepnick

From humble beginnings in 1974 as a fly-in for sport aviation enthusiasts, the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo has grown into one of the largest and most successful aviation events in the world and is the second largest fly-in in the United States.

This event takes place on the south side of Lakeland Linder International Airport in beautiful Lakeland, Florida and is Florida’s largest annual convention of any kind.

The SUN ‘n FUN Expo is the largest fundraiser for the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), a 25-acre, 11 building campus dedicated to aerospace and STEM education. Proceeds from the event support numerous community activities in addition to Aerospace Center for Excellence.

Each year, in Spring, over 200,000 guests, exhibitors, volunteers, sponsors and performers flock to Lakeland for what has become known as ‘Aviation’s Season Opener’ or ‘Spring Break’ for Pilots.

Pilots and visitors flying into the convention can enjoy a showcase of hundreds of aircraft on display. Aircraft areas include Vintage, Homebuilt, Aerobatic, Warbird, Jet, and Light Sport.

In addition to aircraft on display, SUN ‘n FUN also features the following:

• Over 500 exhibitors
• Hands-on workshops teaching building and maintenance skills on aircraft
• Dozens of forums to educate pilots and maintainers about safety
• New product launches
• Talks and shows on an infinite number of other timely topics.

At SUN ‘n FUN there are day and night air shows featuring world-famous military and civilian aerobatic teams performing daily breath taking displays.  The night air shows also include fireworks, which makes for spectacular viewing, drawing oohs and aahs from the crowd.

A must see is the Aerospace Discovery Museum indoor exhibits, which features unique displays like the history of Howard Hughes.

Check out the SUN ’n RUN 5K on 1 April. The race will begin on the Terminal Ramp as the start line is flanked by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. During the run you will be able to witness the launching of over 20 hot air balloons as the course winds its way down Runway 5/23, Taxiway A, and across various other connecting taxiways and ramps to the finish line.

For those who are camping, come and listen as many share the stories of the 49 years of SUN ‘n FUN while eating buttery ears of corn at the Corn Roast.

After their successful jaunt to the US in 2022, the exquisite ScaleWings SW-51 Mustang replica returns to Lakeland for 2023. This P-51 Mustang replica blew away the sceptics at Oshkosh 2022 and the Reno Air Races and gained a surprising number of sales.

The highly detailed warbird replica has already chalked up new sales about as fast Mustangs scored victories in WWII.

This year, three Hartzell Aviation signature companies are joining together for a robust presence at SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo. Hartzell Propeller, Hartzell Engine Tech, and Hartzell Aerospace Welding will be exhibiting together at the air show in Hangar B.

Hartzell Aviation will be sponsoring a number of exciting airshow performers, including:

• Michael Goulian – Extra 330SC
• Greg Koontz – Decathlon
• Ken Reider/Team Redline – RV-8
• Bill Stein – Edge 540
• Kevin Coleman – Extra 300SHP
• Jim Pietz – F33C Bonanza

There is a lot more to see and do and everyone is welcome.