Thousands of aviation enthusiasts from across the country are arriving in Lakeland for the 47th annual Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo this week from Monday through Sunday. The event features dozens of industry-related workshops, presentations and at least one airshow daily.
A full daily schedule can be found online at flysnf.org.
Air show lineup, by day
All afternoon airshows start at 1 p.m., with the exception of Thursday when the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels are expected to arrive at noon. Sun ‘n Fun hosts two nighttime airshows starting at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
TUESDAY, 1 P.M. START
U.S. Special Operations Command’s Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
Gene McNeely, T-6 Texan
Warbirds, mixed mass flight marking 75th anniversary of World War II
Mike Wiskus, of Pitts Aerobatics
Thom Richard, Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
Michael Goulian, Extra-330SC
Greg Koontz, Decathlon
Aerostars, Extra 300L
Gary Ward, MX2 aerobatic airplane
Bob Carlton, Sub-Sonex microjet plane
B-25 “Panchito”
Manfred Radius, glider
C-17 Demonstration
WEDNESDAY, 1 P.M. START
U.S. Special Operations Command’s Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
Gene McNeely in a T-6 Texan
Warbirds, mixed mass flight marking 75th anniversary of World War II
David Martin, Beechcraft B-55 Baron
Lee Lauderback, P-51 Mustang
B-25 “Panchito”
Aerostars, X300
Gary Ward, MX2 Aerobatic plane
Class of ’45, Vought F4U Corsair and P-51 Mustang
Mike Wiskus, of Pitts Aerobatics
Aeroshell, T-6 Texan aerobatics
WEDNESDAY, 7:30 P.M. SHOW
Class of ’45, Vought F4U Corsair and P-51 Mustang
U.S. Special Operations Command’s Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
Paradigm Aerobatic Team, Paramotors
Ballon Glow
Manfred Radius, glider
Bob Carlton, Bob Carlton, Sub-Sonex microjet plane
Jerry Kerby, RV-8
U.S. Navy Blue Angel #7 Arrival in F-18 Super Hornet
Aeroshell, T-6 Texan aerobatics
THURSDAY, NOON
U.S. Navy Blue Angels arrival in diamond formation in F-18 Super Hornets
U.S. Navy Blue Angels solos in F-18 Super Hornets
U.S. Special Operations Command’s Black Daggers
Greg Koontz, Super Decathlon demo
Aeroshell team, T-6 Texans aerobatics
Warbirds, mixed
U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels practice
FRIDAY, 1 P.M. START
U.S. Special Operations Command’s jump team in C-17
Gene McNeely, T-6 Texan
Patrick McAlee, Pitts
F-22 Raptor Demonstration team
Gary Rower, PT-17 Stearman
Michael Goulian, Extra 330SC
Jim Peitz, Aerobatic Bonanza
Thom Richard, Curtiss P-40 Warhawk
U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels with F-18 Super Hornets, C-130 Fat Albert
Aeroshell, T-6 Texans aerobatics
SATURDAY, 1 P.M. START
U.S. Special Operations Command’s Black Daggers
Class of ’45, Vought F4U Corsair and P-51 Mustang
Paul Dougherty, Christian Eagle
Jim Peitz, Aerobatic Bonanza
Jacquie B., Extra 300
Rob Holland, MXS-RH aerobatic plane
U.S. Special Operations Command’s Boeing C-17 Globemaster III demo
U.S. Navy Blue Angels’ F-18 Super Hornets and C-130 Fat Albert
SATURDAY, 7:30 P.M. SHOW
Lee Lauderback, P-51 Mustang
Michael Goulian, Extra-330SC
U.S. Special Operations Command’s Black Daggers with C-17 Globemaster III
Aeroshell, T-6 Texan aerobatics
Paradigm Aerobatic Team, Paramotors
Manfred Radius, Sailplane
Bob Carlton, Sub-Sonex microjet plane
Gary Rower, PT-17 Stearman
Jerry Kerby, RV-8
“Star Dance Spectacular” drone show by Michigan-based Great Lakes Drone Co.
Fireworks
SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 1 P.M. START
U.S. Special Operations Command’s Black Daggers with C-17 Globemaster III
Gene McNeely, T-6 Texan
Jacquie B., Extra 300
Patty Wagstaff, Extra 300
Larry Kelley, B-25
Paul Dougherty, Christen Eagle
F-22 Raptor Demonstration team
Rob Holland, MXS-RH aerobatic plane
Greg Koontz, Decathlon
U.S. Special Operations Command’s Boeing C-17 Globemaster III
U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels F-18 Super Hornet
Other Daily Highlights
TUESDAY
- 7:15 – 7:30 a.m. Sunrise balloon launch at Showcase
- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m History Channel Presentation: Air America – The CIA’s Secret Airline at Veterans Plaza
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Warbirds in Review: Q&A with B-25 Panchito at Victory’s Arsenal Theater
- 7:45 p.m. Movie showing of “Con-Air” at ACE’s Flying Flix campground
WEDNESDAY
- 7 – 7:15 a.m. Sunrise balloon launch at Showcase
- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m History Channel Presentation: Air America – The CIA’s Secret Airline at Veterans Plaza
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Warbirds in Review: Q&A with John O’Connor about F8F Blue Angel Bearcat at Victory’s Arsenal Theater
- 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. Seabird BBQ Dinner at Seabird Hospitality Tent
- 7:45 p.m. Movie showing of “Squadron 303” at ACE’s Flying Flix campground
THURSDAY
- 7 – 7:15 a.m. Sunrise balloon launch at Showcase
- 11:30 a.m. Henderson Pioneer Pavilion Ribbon Cutting ceremony at Henderson Pioneer Pavilion
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Warbirds in Review: Q&A with the Class of `45 at Victory’s Arsenal Theater
- 6:30 p.m. The birthday bash! Party with a purpose fundraiser for Aerospace Center for Excellence’s programs (separate ticket required) at Aerospace Discovery
- 7:45 p.m. Movie showing of “Fate is the Hunter” at ACE’s Flying Flix campground
FRIDAY
- 7 – 7:15 a.m. Sunrise Balloon Launch at Showcase
- 10 – 10:55 a.m. Forum: Why so much hype about flying cars by James Mauch in CFAA-05
- 11 a.m. – 11:55 a.m. Forums:
- Earning FAA Remote Drone Pilot Certification by T.C. Freeman in CFAA-03
- Airships: Past, present and future by Richard Van Treuren in CFAA-11
- Secrets only pilots know about airports by Tom Slater in CFAA-15
- 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Warbirds in Review: Q&A with U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels on F-18 Super Hornets
- 1 – 1:55 p.m. Forums
- U.S. Airline pilot job market 2021 and beyond by Cpt. Kit Darby in CFA-001
- Building an airplane as a group or school project by Sebastein Heintz in CFAA-02
- Becoming a pilot – how to make it more accessible by Andrew Chan in CFAA-06
- 6 p.m. Corn Roast – Food & Entertainment by Cliff Grown
- 7:45 p.m. Movie showing of “Rocketman” at Ace’s Flyin’ Flix campground
SATURDAY
- All day: 2021 Aerospace Expo’s Car Show featuring cars from 1996 and older
- 6:30 a.m. – 8 a.m.: Mass hot air balloon launch at Flightline
- 7 a.m. Sun ‘n Fun’s 5K Race sponsored by Lakeland Linder International Airport. Proceeds benefit the Lakeland Aero Club and Women in Aviation’s Lakeland chapter. Race start is at the airport terminal on Drane Field Road.
- 9 a.m. – noon: Aerospace Educators’ Workshop at Buehler Hanger, CFAA & Florida Air Museum
- 11:30 a.m.
- Presentation: Youngest jet rated pilot, 17-year-old Hanna Saurenman at Aerobatic HQ
- Warbirds in Review: Q&A with pilot of a Stallion 51 at Victory’s Arsenal Theater
- 12:30 p.m. – Award Ceremony: Plaques and Ribbons, special anniversaries at Aerobatic HQ
- 1 p.m. Presentation: Careers in Aviation By Abbey Hutter at Exhibit Booth Location AOPA
- 6 p.m. – Aircraft Judging Awards at Buehler Aerospace Skills Center
- 7:45 p.m. Movie showing of “Those Magnificent Men and their Flying Machines” at ACE’s Flying Flix campground
SUNDAY
- 7:45 a.m. Volunteer parade at FAA Safety Center
- All day: 2021 Aerospace Expo’s Car Show featuring cars from 1996 and older
- 9 a.m. – 3 p.m Air America – The CIA’s Secret Airline at Veterans Plaza
- 11:30 a.m Warbirds in Review: Q&A with pilot of Placid Lassie C-47 at Victory Arsenal’s Theater
Daily happenings
- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Kid Zone in the Family Fund Zone
- ACE’s STEMFusion Tent: Learn about Aerospace Center for Excellence
- The Nimitz, the U.S. Navy’s immersive virtual reality experience
- Variety of industry related workshops in composites, wood working, metal shaping and more