Special Report: Sun ‘N Fun 2001
AVweb’s weeklong coverage of Sun ‘n Fun 2001 ends today. Pilots looking for a way to melt away the winter “blahs” and prepare for the summer flying season went to the right place: Sunny skies and warm breezes were the rule this week. AVweb’s Sun ‘n Fun News Team brought the latest news from companies like Diamond, New Piper, OMF, Meggitt, Honeywell, and others, plus four (count ’em) exclusive image galleries and extensive coverage of Bruce Bohannon’s time-to-climb record attempt and expanded coverage of the Sport Pilot proposals. If you didn’t make it to Sun ‘n Fun this year, don’t worry: The next one is less than a year away.
As the sun sets on the 2001 installment of the Sun 'n Fun Fly-in and Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport empties itself of planes and people, it's time to take a look back at the week. Although the local weather cooperated, low ceilings and thunderstorms elsewhere in the U.S. prevented many would-be attendees from making the journey all the way to Florida. As a result, attendance was down, but most vendors reported brisk sales and heavy activity at their booths. AVweb's Dave Higdon wraps up AVweb's special coverage, direct from Lakeland, Fla. You should have been there to enjoy it with us.
Top contender for most-talked-about topic at this year's Sun 'n Fun would have to be the FAA's Sport Pilot proposal. Among those keeping a sharp eye on the proposal's possible impact are light-engine manufacturers, who have been putting powerplants in ultralights and light experimentals for more than 15 years. The truth is that good (reliable) four-stroke engines, putting out anywhere from 45-120 HP are available now, from a variety of manufacturers and for them, Sport Pilot may prove to be a popularity contest they can't afford to lose. AVweb's Glenn Pew examines that story in the third and final installment of our Special Report: Sun 'n Fun 2001. You'll also find about New Piper's plans for its future, Formula One air racing coming to south Florida this fall, ride along with two AVweb editors as they discover new ways to fly, and much, much more.
In our third image gallery, the AVweb Sun 'n Fun team gives you an over-the-shoulder look at the things they saw as they wandered around the grounds at Lakeland. We wanted you to see the show as we saw it, the airplanes, the activity, and the people. We even had a little fun while we were at it. But wait, there's more! We had enough to add a fourth gallery as well. Happy clicking!
Our final gallery continues with even more pictures of the folks having fun in the sun at Lakeland. We had a great time bringing you the news and views from Sun 'n Fun, and we all hope you enjoyed our coverage.
Pilots looking for a way to melt away the winter "blahs" and prepare for the summer flying season have come to the right place: Sunny skies and warm breezes are the rule this week. In this second report direct from Lakeland, Fla., AVweb's Dave Higdon takes you along as Bruce Bohannon attempts to break yet another world record in his one-of-a-kind Exxon Flyin' Tiger. Look for our third and final report next Monday.
Throw together a bunch of pilots and aircraft, and sooner or later someone will do or say something new and different. With thousands of people, pilots and aircraft littering the landscape at Lakeland, it's hard not to find something newsworthy among the tents, booths and action. AVweb's Sun 'n Fun News Team took it all in and filed this initial report, the first of two SnF news round-ups you'll see.
So far, Sun 'n Fun 2001 has lived up to its name: It's been warm and sunny (okay, it's hot) and there's been plenty of opportunity for some fun, from the shopping in the vendor's hangars and booths, to the morning and evening ultralight action at Paradise City, the daily airshows and Tuesday's first-ever-at-SnF evening airshow. Here's another batch of images from all over the show site. Don't see something you're looking for? Never fear: We're not finished yet!
- It's that time of year again: By the time you read this, the aviation faithful will have already put Day One of the 2001 Sun 'n Fun Fly-in behind them. This year's event runs all week at Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport and features thousands of your closest friends and fellow pilots, all fleeing from the last that winter has to offer for a chance to thaw out, hangar-fly and check out the latest and greatest planes, things and people. Dave Higdon kicks off AVweb's week-long special coverage direct from Sun 'n Fun. Ya'll come.
- The first day of Sun 'n Fun 2001 had it all: Plenty of people, plenty of sun, a bunch of planes, all kinds of stuff to be bought and even a USAF F-117 Nighthawk "stealth" fighter in a fly-by. Here's a batch of images from opening day. Stay tuned to AVweb for many, many more, later this week.
For more information on this year's Sun 'n Fun Fly-in, check these links:
The FAA's 2001 Sun 'n Fun Fly-In NOTAM (a must-have if you plan to fly into Lakeland)
The following AVweb staff contributed to this Special Report:
Joseph E. (Jeb) Burnside, Executive Editor
Mary Grady, News Editor
Dave Higdon, Contributing Editor
Bob Kaputa, Managing Editor
Glenn Pew, News Writer/Editor
