WORDS & IMAGES: CLAUDE LAFRENIERE

The 2024 Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo marked the event’s 50th anniversary, reinforcing its position as the second-largest aviation show in the USA. Held at Lakeland Linder International Airport from April 9-14, attracted over 200,000 attendees, despite challenging weather conditions.

Since its establishment in 1974, SUN ‘n FUN has grown into a significant aviation event and a major fundraiser for the Florida Air Museum, the Lakeland Aero Club and the Center for Aerospace Excellence, a non-profit flight training organization that serves over 50,000 students.

The 2024 Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo offers various admission options to cater to all visitors. Daily admission is priced at $45, while a week-long pass is available for $170. Parking starts at $10 per day. For a VIP experience, the 9/27 Club provides a premium view of the air shows, with rates between $185 and $1000 for the week, plus an exclusive parking option at $35 per day. A Preferred Photo Seating option is also available for $45 per day for aerial photography enthusiasts.

This year, Sun ‘n Fun introduced new attractions, including the new Future ‘n Flight Plaza, which features cutting-edge aviation exhibits, and the International Oasis, a dedicated area for international guests to relax and network.

Sun ‘n Fun 2024 impressed visitors with its diverse aircraft display, with dedicated military and warbird zones. The military zone featured the A-10C Thunderbolt II, E-9A Widget, C-17A Globemaster III, CH-47F Chinook, EA-18G Growler, LC-130H Skibird, QF-16 Zombie Fighter, T-45 Goshawk, amd BQM-167A Skeeter (an aerial target drone), among others. Aircraft in the Warbird Alley included B-25J Mitchell “Panchito”, VC-121A Constellation “Bataan” and numerous smaller Second World War aircraft, including the Wildcat, Corsair, Warhawk, Mustang, Dauntless and Avenger.

Six days of daytime flying displays, running from 11am to 4pm, featured an average of 13 to 15 performers per day, and a total of around 40 performers and performance groups during the full week.  Spectators were positioned at a considerable distance from the runway, approximately 500-600 meters away, which posed challenges for viewing in-flight maneuvers. However, the taxiway, located within 15 to 20 meters of the audience, provided an intimate view of jet aircraft such as the Thunderbirds and the Ghost Squadron as they taxied post-flight.

A distinguishing feature of Sun ‘n Fun was its extended six-day duration, augmented by two evening shows. This extensive timeframe facilitated the inclusion of around forty performers and performance groups, ensuring a breadth of variety rarely seen at similar events. Each day presented a new program with 13 to 15 distinct performances, maintaining a dynamic and engaging show for attendees. The bulk of the performers were civilian solo aerobatic pilots, among them, Michael Goulian, Kevin Coleman, Patty Wagstaff, RJ Gritter, Rob Holland, Greg Koontz and Jim Pietz.

Sun ‘n Fun 2024 prominently featured an extensive array of warbirds, with significant participation from the Commemorative Air Force, with impressive formations of 16 to 20 Warbirds flying simultaneously. This grand display included iconic aircraft such as P-51 Mustangs, C-47 Skytrain, T-6 Texans, T-28 Trojans, B-25 Mitchells, SBD Dauntless, Nanchang, F4F Wildcats, F4U Corsairs, and C-45 Expeditors. Solo performances came from B-25 “Panchito,” C-47 “Placid Lassie,” VC-121A “Bataan,” and several P-51D Mustangs, namely “Crazy Horse,” “Jack Aces,” “Gunfighter,” and “Quick Silver.” The inclusion of jet warbirds from the 1950s to 1970s, such as the L-39 and T-33, added to the historical breadth of the aerial demonstrations. The pinnacle of the warbird spectacle was the breathtaking performance of Tora Tora Tora – a mesmerizing re-enactment of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

However, it was a remarkable civilian aerobatic team that seized the spotlight, captivating aviation enthusiasts worldwide: the Polaris Ghost Squadron. At the heart of the squadron lies the iconic MiG-29UB, owned by Jared Isaacman. It was joined by three Alpha Jet As and four L-39C Albatrosses. Although the Ghost Squadron had performed non-aerobatic displays at several airshows before, Sun ‘n Fun was the debut performance of their aerobatic routine, and the largest group of aircraft they had ever taken to a show. The routine included captivating formation aerobatics from the Alpha Jets and MiG-29, flybys from the L-39s, solo passes from the MiG and an impressive 8-ship bomb burst. Unfortunately, a (thankfully minor) mid-air collision the following week means that this spectacle may not be seen at an airshow again.

The US military also provided numerous performances, including an F/A-18F Super Hornet from VFA-106’s Rhino Demonstration Team, F-35A Lightning II, the Thunderbirds, and two unique displays involving F-16Cs, one simulating NORAD’s response to potential airspace violations and another demonstrating aerial refuelling capabilities, alongside a KC-135R Stratotanker.

One of the most highly-anticipated events at Sun ‘n Fun was undoubtedly the evening shows, held on Wednesday and Saturday nights. As the sun dipped below the horizon at 7pm, spectators were treated to a mesmerizing display of aerial magic, with the F-35A taking center stage on Wednesday and the Polaris Ghost Squadron captivating audiences on Saturday. As darkness descended, performances followed from the Titan Aerobatic Team, Team Arythmia’s luminous paramotors and pyrotechnic displays from Kyle Fowler in his Long-EZ, Ken Reider in the RV-8 and Nathan Hammond in the Super Chipmunk. The ground-based Tora Bomb Squad added to the spectacle with their fiery pyrotechnic displays on the ground. The evening was further enhanced by stunning fireworks, powerful music and giant lasers, culminating in an unforgettable finale by the Great Lakes Drone Co., who created intricate formations such as the Sun ‘n Fun logo and iconic jets like the F-16.

From breathtaking aerial displays to spectacular nighttime performances, Sun ‘n Fun 2024 created unforgettable memories and celebrated the rich history of aviation, while also looking ahead to the future, inspiring new possibilities and horizons.