Sun ‘n Fun Opens Week of Heroes, Homebuilders & Historic Aircraft

Already, 2021 is fulfilling more promise than last year, when one air show after another failed to launch in face the oncoming waves of the pandemic. But this year proves to be different. With appropriate safety measures in place—and no small portion of pilots now vaccinated—air shows and other large-scale events can go forward.

Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo 2021 kicks off this week and runs from April 13 to 18 in Lakeland, Florida, with a full roster of air show events, forums, and exhibits. The daily air shows begin on Tuesday at 1 pm, with events each afternoon to follow—with night air shows on Wednesday and Saturday. Our favorite performers, such as Greg Koontz, Michael Goulian, the Aerostars, Rob Holland, and Patty Wagstaff, will be there—along with the first stop on the 2021 tour for the US Navy’s Blue Angels demo team.

Hands-on workshops and forums staffed by experienced instructors will lead attendees in the arts of homebuilding aircraft, building skills such as woodworking, avionics installation, and welding. Forums take place inside the Central Florida Aerospace Academy (limited to 75 percent capacity) and cover topics from instrument flight and weather to aircraft restoration.

Exhibitor spaces will host a full lineup of booths inside the reduced-capacity hangars and outside. Several exhibitors are testing out hybrid virtual exhibits, minimally staffed, to debut products in a safe manner for all. A number of aircraft will be on display, but expect to have limited contact in order to maintain social distancing wherever possible.

Can’t make it? Flying is hosting a livestream of each of the afternoon events beginning on Thursday, April 15, on our Virtual Air Show page.