Bumpy Road for Sweepstakes Aircraft

The annual pilgrimage to Lakeland Linder Airport could take on special significance for one aviation buff next April. Sun 'n Fun unveiled its first sweepstakes aircraft on Friday as part of an online promotion. Over the next year, anyone can buy a sweepstakes ticket online and the aircraft, an American Flyer light sport aircraft made by Mountain Aircraft in Idaho. The aircraft is on display in the Sportsplanes.com booth behind the FAA center. However, it will not be exactly the same aircraft that will be delivered a year from now.

The $60,000 high wing, with convertible landing gear, was loaded on a trailer for the trek to Florida from Idaho in early April and Mother Nature intervened. A wind gust flipped truck and trailer into the ditch and heavily damaged the plane. The decision was made to load the damaged plane on another trailer and get it to Florida where a team of volunteers repaired and repainted it in three days. Some of the repairs are cosmetic only and, after the show, the aircraft will be gone through thoroughly and restored to brand-new flying condition.