– By: Phil Lightstone 

SUN ‘n FUN, in less than three weeks will take place in Lakeland FLD March 28 to April 2, 2023.  Started in 1974, the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo has grown into one of the largest and most successful aviation events.  Each year over 200,000 visitors flock to what has become known as “Aviation’s Season Opener” or “Spring Break for Pilots.”

Aircraft areas include Vintage, Homebuilt, Aerobatic, Warbird, Jet, and Light Sport. A major trade show is part of SUN ‘n FUN. Over 500 exhibitors have a lineup of products and services, hands-on workshops teach hundreds of building and maintenance skills and dozens of forums educate pilots and maintainers about safety, new products and other timely topics. Not just for pilots, SUN ‘n FUN has STEM and Career Fair activities, plus a Family Fun Zone and a world famous daily and night airshows that feature breathtaking displays from dozens of military and civilian performers.

The 2023 “SUN ‘n FUN Digital Daily” (SNFDD) takes on the speedy and mobile capabilities of the best in online media, offering exciting DAILY, REAL-TIME news programming, via rich media, throughout each day of the Expo.  Designed to be the most accessible aviation news special-event program, the SUN ‘n FUN Digital Daily is easily accessed by cellphone, tablet, or any other connected device. Hundreds of stories, features, videos, and social media posts are on this year’s schedule.

In addition, the SNFDD crew will continue the very popular LIVE MORNING BRIEF series with a live webcast, early each morning of the Expo, featuring news, weather, special attractions and interviews specific to that day’s festivities. This program sets the day’s agenda, webcast LIVE from the Compass Rose in the centre of the Expo and remains the best way to get a start on each day’s activities.

Some improvements to SUN ‘n FUN to help ensure that your experience is memorable include: auto parking improvements with parking attendants to greet you, scan your parking ticket so that you can park quickly, with a new parking lot at the East Side Auto Parking Lot; a new Tram Route has been added from the new East Auto Parking Lot delivers guests to the Island and GA Parking on taxiway Echo; a pick/up/drop location at The Island has been added in addition to the Rideshare pick up/drop off location on Medulla Rd west of the Main Parking lot, making accessing Uber and Lift services easier; and the Sunset Aerial Circus will be flying Tuesday, Thursday and Friday nights from 7:00 to 8:30 pm.

If you’re still looking for a place to stay, check out the SUN ‘n FUN Private Housing page on Facebook.  Visit the Accommodations page to get started. Once you filled out the short Private Housing form and click submit, request to become a member of the Private Housing on the next page.  You must complete the form first.

For pilots flying into the expo, a NOTAM and can be found at https://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/domesticnotices/dom23006_sp.html.  Lakeland Airport will be closed during the airshows, between the hours of 19:30 and 06:00 local time on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday.  Wednesday and Saturday, the airport closure will be between 19:00 and 06:00 local time.  So, plan accordingly.  Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) will be in effect during airshow aerobatic demonstrations. TFR information is disseminated via FDC NOTAM prior to the event. Once published, text and graphic depictions of restrictions may be found at: https://tfr.faa.gov

(Image: Phil Lightstone)