A Fond Memory: Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo 2023

There's something special about about flying your airplane into an airshow or aviation festival. You truly feel accomplished when you fly the published approach, rock your wings on command, stick the landing on the dot specified, and then are greeted by the people on scooters who direct you where to park at the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo.

Meg Godlewski

Sunday, December 10, 2023 at 11:49 AM ET

Verified

Panchito soars through the moody central Florida skies during the Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo's daily airshow. [Credit: Stephen Yeates]

Key Takeaways:

Thorough pre-flight preparation is crucial, encompassing meticulous route planning, performance and weight calculations, having backup communication/navigation, and ensuring personal readiness (e.g., hydration, night currency).
Pilots must diligently study and carry event-specific Notice to Air Missions (NOTAMs), which detail unique communication procedures, traffic patterns, and potential annual adjustments for airshow arrivals.
Key arrival skills for airshows include practicing aggressive wing-rocking for identification, executing precision landings on designated spots, and careful taxiing through congested areas while being aware of pedestrians and obstacles.

See a mistake? Contact us.

There is something extra special about flying your airplane into an airshow or aviation festival. You truly feel accomplished when you fly the published approach, rock your wings on command, stick the landing on the dot specified, and then are greeted by the people on scooters who direct you where to park.

That’s how it is supposed to go—and often it does go that well, provided you do your homework before you launch for the big event.