“We created this app as a service to SUN ’n FUN attendees,” said Sporty’s Vice President John Zimmerman. “All of us pilots who love our phones and iPads will be able to put them to more good use with this free app from Sporty’s.”

After downloading the free app, pilots can use it to buy advance tickets for SUN ‘n FUN and shop for supplies or charts for the trip. Of course, the complete SUN ’n FUN NOTAM is included for smooth arrival procedures. It’s perfect for in-flight reference and does not require an internet connection. Once at the show, the SUN ‘n FUN app has maps, maps and more maps: the convention grounds, the campgrounds, an aerial map, Splash-in map and even the tram route map. The daily schedules will be right in your pocket too. Sporty’s SUN ’n FUN app includes the schedule of forums, workshops, the daily air show and the evening programs to help make your visit even more personal and productive.

The SUN ’n FUN app also contains a database of all SUN ‘n FUN exhibitors. With this handy app, you won’t wander around looking for a particular company since the location of every exhibitor will be at your fingertips. You can even mark favorite exhibitors you want to visit.

“SUN ‘n FUN  is grateful  that our friends at Sporty’s took the initiative to work with us to develop this first generation app for a  very important segment of our attendees,” said John Burton,  SUN ’n FUN President and Convention Chairman. “We look forward to continuing our great relationship with Sporty’s in this and other projects that will enhance the value and availability of the app for all smart phone users attending this and future SUN ‘n FUN annual events.”

Skyward Festival activities begin at 6 p.m. with aerial pattern over Munn Park and Lake Mirror by Sun ‘n Fun’s World War II-era Stearman biplane. At the same time, watch as hot air balloon pilots prepare and inflate (weather permitting) hot air balloons on the northwest shore of Lake Mirror, at the corner of Cedar and Massachusetts.

For more information on the event, visit the Downtown Lakeland Partnership web site.

The Fly-In hosts a daily air show from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. featuring the world’s best-known air show performers such as:

• United States Navy Blue Angels
• Skip Stewart
• Patty Wagstaff
• Many more!

Besides a daily air show, you can also enjoy static display aircraft, over 500 commercial exhibits, Ladies Pavilion and even a Parts Exchange! The Fly-In guarantees a great time to not only aviation enthusiasts, but also to the general public. For more information, visit Sun ‘n Fun’s website. Sun-n-fun.org. For Sun ‘n Fun friendly accomodations, click here.

SUNn ‘n FUN Fly-In, (a.k.a “Spring Break for Pilots”) is staged on an 850-acre footprint of the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport campus and features a variety of attractions  to engage aviation enthusiasts of all ages; from student pilots, active “veteran” pilots and . This year, the Fly-In & Expo will attract an estimated 170,000 visitors from North America and more than 80 other countries, making it the busiest airport in the world during this 6-day event!

Visitors will have the opportunity to see a variety of aviation exhibits from aircraft from all over the world, ranging from “homebuilds” to military aircraft, exhibitors and daily airshows! In addition to the aircraft, SUN ‘n FUN activities also include guest speakers, presentations and educational experinces. On Tuesday, April 13, the evening program series will feature “Women of the Air” and Wednesday’s evening program will be the first-hand account of the “Miracle on the Hudson” landing from US Airways First Officer Jeff Skiles. As an added bonus, you can have the opportunity to have lunch with Jeff Skiles at the Fantasy of Flight Splash-In. The barbeque luncheon requires a separate reservation of $20 plus tax per person so you better call now to make your reservations! Call 863-984-3500.

On Saturday, April 17,  is the early-morning “dawn patrol” launch of the festive Hot Air Balloon “Hare and Hound” Race. Weather permitting, more than 25 balloonists are scheduled to ignite their burners, lift off above the shimmering morning landscape of Lakeland and create an exciting, colorful start to the day’s activities.

While you are out enjoying SUN ‘n FUN, don’t forget the annual Splash-In Event and Mustangs and Mustangs event at the Fantasy of Flight! Fantasy of Flight is thrilled to be hosting the Splash-In on sparkling Lake Agnes on Thursday, April 15 as part of the 36th Annual Sun ‘n Fun Fly-In.  Visitors will witness a variety of seaplanes and amphibious aircraft perform water landings and takeoffs as part of the competition. The Mustangs and Mustangs event is an annual event where Fantasy of Flight and the Imperial Mustang Club of Polk County team up for to feature both beautifully restored P-51 Mustang war birds from World War II and Ford Mustang automobiles.  Fantasy of Flight’s P-51D and P-51C Mustangs are a dramatic backdrop for hundreds of classic and modern Fords and Mustangs.

For more details on the full schedule of events and activities visit these pages: Fly-In event activities, SUN ‘n FUN and FAA Forums, SUN ʼn FUN workshops, Florida Air Museum speaker schedules and youth activities, SUN ʼn FUN daily air shows.

 The Thunderbirds plan to arrive at SUN ‘n FUN during the second half of the six day SUN ‘n FUN event.  They may engage in individual media flights and a team training flight prior to their scheduled performances on Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18. Advanced discounted ticket packages to SUN ‘n FUN are available on the SUN ‘n FUN website at www.sun-n-fun.org. They will perform approximately 30 maneuvers during their demonstration. The entire Thunderbird performance, including ground and air routines, runs about an hour and fifteen minutes.

The 2009 inductees include: LeRoy Brown, a native Floridian, had a 29-year career as a National Airlines pilot. He was also past President of the U.S. Airline Industry Museum Foundation and a valued SUN ‘n FUN volunteer. Amelia Earhartwas a legendary aviation pioneer & advocate, captivated the public’s fascination with the drama & promise of aviation. David McCampbell, an Annapolis graduate, revered, decorated WW II Navy Ace, Medal of Honor recipient, and past resident West Palm Beach, FL.

Inductees were identified and confirmed by the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame Selection Committee, comprised of members of the Florida Aviation Historical Society in cooperation with the Florida Air Museum. The Florida Aviation Historical Society (F.A.H.S.) is a not-for-profit organization of aviation enthusiasts joined together to record, honor, and perpetuate Florida’s rich aviation heritage. Photographs of these distinguished aviators will be placed among past inductees highlighted in a permanent Florida Air Museum display.
 
Tickets for the event are $25 per person and RSVP’s must be made by December 9, for what promises to be a great luncheon celebrating legends in aviation. For more information, visit the Sun ‘n Fun website.

The Florida Air Museum, located at 4175 Medulla Road, Lakeland, FL 33811, will be open from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Museum Day and visitors are invited to experience a unique display of aircraft and learn about the significant role Florida has played in the history and development of aviation. The Museum also offers a unique collection of artifacts from the Howard Hughes Aviation Collection. Throughout Museum Day, the Florida Air Museum will extend a 20% discount on its one-year membership to all new or lapsed members that visit the Museum and sign up during Museum Day hours. Member benefits include discounts on tickets and merchandise plus free or reduced admissions to more than 300 other museums and science centers. For more information about the value of membership in the Florida Air Museum call (863) 644-2431 or e-mail Museum@sun-n-fun.org
 
Museum Day attendees must present Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day Admission Card to gain free entry to participating institutions. You can participate by visiting www.smithsonian.com/museumday and downloading a Museum Day Admission Card or it can also be found in the September 2009 issue of Smithsonian magazine. Each card provides free museum access for two people. Only one admission card is permitted per household. Listings and links to participating museums and sponsors can be found at www.smithsonianmagazine.com/museumday.
 
Smithsonian’s Museum Day is a celebration of culture, learning and the dissemination of knowledge. It reflects the spirit of Smithsonian magazine and emulates the free-admission policy of the Smithsonian Institution’s Washington, DC-based properties. Doors of more than 1000 museums will be open free of charge to Smithsonian magazine readers and Smithsonian.com visitors at museums and cultural institutions nationwide. Last year, upwards of 200,000 people attended Museum Day with over 50 states plus Puerto Rico represented by more than 900 participating museums, including 84 Smithsonian affiliate museums. CITGO is the supporting sponsor of Museum Day.

10:00am – I just spent the last two hours with a crew from CNN who was here filming a segment on the “Roadable Airplane” that is creating a lot of buzz around here (and throughout the country). The Terrafugia Transition is on display here, fresh off its first test flight. It is a pretty cool concept and they say they are only a couple years from it being available on the market. Here are some photos from their exhibit and from the day so far.

1:15pm – The air show starts at 2pm today and the Golden Knights will be doing media jumps, so I will get my first look at their performance today. They will also be doing a night jump tonight at 8pm. Check back later for all the photos.

4:40pm – The Golden Knights have landed. Here are the photos from the afternoon air show and the Golden Knights jump today. They will also be jumping tonight as part of the night air show and throughout the weekend. As today wraps up, don’t forget to be here tomorrow morning bright and early, or at least look to the sky between 6am and 8am to see the balloon launch. It is always quite a sight to see.

• Dan Cherry and Nguyen Hong My will reunite this afternoon and will also be the subject of tonight’s evening program in the AOPA Pavilion. The story of the two pilots is pretty amazing. Cherry shot down My’s MiG during a battle in Vietnam and My survived. The two reunited earlier this year and they will reunite once again at SNF today. See the entire story here.
• The 3pm air show will feature the Red Bull Helicopter as well as the usual lineup of high flying acrobatic pilots.

Keep checking back here throughout the day for updates!

10:00am – Dan Cherry and Nguyen Hong My just addressed the media about their amazing story and reunion (see above). Here are a couple photos.

2:30pm – Here are some photos from around Sun n Fun so far today. The daily air show is about to get underway. Photos will be up soon.

4:30pm – Today’s afternoon air show pictures are here.

Live updates for tomorrow will be scarce (and by scarce, I mean non-existant) since I will not be out here. Real job duties call! Tomorrow will be a busy day here though with the US Army Golden Knights arriving and the Splash In happening at Fantasy of Flight. If you make it out to any of these events, feel free to post photos on Flickr and get us the link.

As we told you earlier, the 2009 Sun ‘n Fun Fly In is ready to get underway tomorrow. We will be here all week and here is your first set of photos from “Move In Day” Monday. The real fun (and sun) starts tomorrow. Keep checking back as photos and events will be updated on a regular basis.