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:

Successful airshow arrival necessitates extensive pre-flight planning, including detailed route selection, adherence to aircraft performance and weight/balance limits, preparing for oxygen needs, and having redundant navigation and communication tools.
Pilots must thoroughly study and carry the event's specific multi-page NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions), as it dictates temporary control tower procedures, communication protocols, and traffic patterns, which often change annually.
Effective airshow operations require polished flying skills, such as clear wing-rocking for identification, precision landings on designated spots, and diligent attention to ground marshals and wingtip clearance during crowded taxiing.

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.