Sun 'n Fun airshow 50th anniversary
African Pilot|May 2024
The opening day of the 50th annual Sun 'n Fun began with amazing airshow performances, exhibits, a career fair, workshops, forums, good food a concert and movies. This year's event took place between 9 and 14 April at the Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Florida.
Athol Franz
Sun 'n Fun airshow 50th anniversary

The opening day on Tuesday was packed with press events and previews and a historical marker was unveiled in front of the museum doors at 09h30, provided by the city of Lakeland. The Sun ‘n Fun studio was streaming the morning event live from its studio, with hosts Gene Conrad and Amanda Holly.

Tuesday started with a daytime airshow, featuring performances from the TITAN Aerobatic team in four T-6 aircraft; the Warbird Arrival Show in various warbirds; Jack Aces in two P-51s; the USAF F-35A Demo Team; the Polaris Ghost Squadron in a Mig 29, three Alpha Jets and four L-39s; Greg Koontz in a Decathlon and Nathan Hammond in a De Haviland Chipmunk. After the airshow ended, the night entertainment began with the opening concert featuring singer Dylan Scott with special guest Sara Evans.

New and exciting announcements

At the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo, Textron eAviation showed off its first Pipistrel Velis Electro to receive an FAA exemption from light sport aircraft regulations. The exemption was approved on 4 March and permits the electric-powered, two-seat airplane to be operated under LSA regulations in the US. Kriya Shortt, the president and CEO of Textron eAviation, said that the company’s goal is to now deliver exempted Velis Electro demonstrators to its dealer network. With the battery providing about 50 minutes of endurance (not including reserves), she noted that the small airplane is ideal for near-airport flight training, meaning practicing take-offs and landings, as well as pattern work, because of its more muted noise profile. In addition, Shortt said the Velis Electro’s lower acquisition cost and 60 to 70 percent lower operating costs versus piston airplanes will result in reduced aircraft rental costs, saving flight students money.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2024-Ausgabe von African Pilot.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der May 2024-Ausgabe von African Pilot.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS AFRICAN PILOTAlle anzeigen
An aviation photographer's experience at the Presidential inauguration
African Pilot

An aviation photographer's experience at the Presidential inauguration

Witnessing the helicopter formation for the Presidential Inauguration in Pretoria on 18 June 2024 was an incredibly unique and exhilarating experience, an opportunity that does not come around very often.

time-read
3 Minuten  |
July 2024
Jabiru South Africa
African Pilot

Jabiru South Africa

Ask the aviation industry about Jabiru aircraft and you will find that they have an excellent reputation.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
July 2024
EAA Chapter 322 Young Eagles 2024
African Pilot

EAA Chapter 322 Young Eagles 2024

The Experimental Aviation association (EAA) has a long history of engendering the passion for flying amongst its members as well as the youth of the world. EAA is a worldwide organisation with its most well-known event being the annual gathering in Oshkosh for a week of aviation as the largest aviation event in the world at the end of July each year.

time-read
4 Minuten  |
July 2024
Bat Hawk Aircraft
African Pilot

Bat Hawk Aircraft

Based in Nelspruit, Mpumalanga, Micro Aviation SA (SACAA M-628) is the manufacturer of the most affordable Rotax 912 ULS powered light sport aircraft in the world.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
FK 9 Mk vi - RAPTOR
African Pilot

FK 9 Mk vi - RAPTOR

The FK9 Mk VI has just landed in South Africa.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
Sun City plans for sustainable solar energy
African Pilot

Sun City plans for sustainable solar energy

Sun City is going to great heights in its bid to one day take the resort completely off the grid. With all available space on the roof of Sun Central now covered by solar panels, the resort lifted its sights to the roof at The Palace and the Sun City hotel.

time-read
2 Minuten  |
July 2024
Belgium chposes Airbus H145M for Armed Forces and Federal Police
African Pilot

Belgium chposes Airbus H145M for Armed Forces and Federal Police

The Kingdom of Belgium will procure 15 multi-role H145M helicopters for the army and two helicopters plus three options for the Federal Police. The contract was signed between the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), on behalf of Belgium and Airbus Helicopters.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024
Maputo airshow 2024 What a treat!
African Pilot

Maputo airshow 2024 What a treat!

On Sunday 16 June Christine and I returned from attending the Maputo airshow and what a fantastic experience this was not only for estimated 15 000 spectators, but also the members of the media present. As always Brian Emmenis and his team were on top form with a great selection of music. The grand finale with the Puma Energy Flying Lions T6 Harvards was simply beautiful and I saw several spectators with tears in their eyes as they expressed their happiness for the airshow.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
July 2024
Single-pilot operations and lemon juice
African Pilot

Single-pilot operations and lemon juice

Psychology researchers have found that some of the dumbest criminals and the cockiest pilots may have something in common: a hazardous cognitive bias, the Dunning–Kruger effect that hinders self-perception, clouds judgment and leads individuals to overestimate their ability. However, new psychological discoveries may provide a cure.

time-read
6 Minuten  |
July 2024
ExecuJet MRO Services! South Africa Set to Achieve New Record for Airframe Heavy Checks
African Pilot

ExecuJet MRO Services! South Africa Set to Achieve New Record for Airframe Heavy Checks

JOHANNESBURG - ExecuJet MRO Services South Africa, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dassault Aviation, is poised to set a new record this year for airframe heavy maintenance checks. The company's previous annual record was seven, but this year it will complete at least 11 thanks to additional work on Dassault Falcon aircraft.

time-read
1 min  |
July 2024