What We Are
From its humble beginnings in 1974 as a fly-in for sport aviation enthusiasts, the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo has grown into one of the largest and most successful aviation events on earth. We are Florida’s largest annual convention of any kind, and each year over 200,000 visitors flock to what has become known as “Aviation’s Season Opener” or “Spring Break for Pilots.”
Pilots flying into the Expo are fascinated by the vision of hundreds of aircraft showcased in all shapes and sizes. Aircraft areas include Vintage, Homebuilt, Aerobatic, Warbird, Jet, and Light Sport. To serve all those flying in, a major trade show is part of SUN ‘n FUN. Over 500 exhibitors have an incredible lineup of products and services, hands-on workshops teach hundreds of building and maintenance skills, and dozens of forums educate pilots and maintainers about safety, new products, and an infinite number of other timely topics. Not just for pilots, SUN ‘n FUN has STEM and Career Fair activities, plus a Family Fun Zone and, of course, our world-famous daily and night airshows that feature breathtaking displays from dozens of military and civilian performers.
Our Cause
SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In, Inc. is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit that markets and supports dozens of year-round events, including the Aerospace Expo. Proceeds from these events are the primary source of funding for The Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), which has emerged as a nationally recognized leader in STEM-related and aerospace education through its various learning centers, outreach programs, scholarships, and summer camps aimed at engaging, educating and accelerating the next generation of aerospace professionals. In addition to SUN ‘n FUN, ACE is the home of the Florida Air Museum, Florida’s Official Aviation Museum and Education Center, and the Lakeland Aero Club, which is the country’s largest high school flying club. ACE is the world’s leader in producing licensed teenage private pilots and delivers youth programs that engage over 50,000 students a year.
Vision Statement
“Build a Brighter Future Through Aviation”
Mission Statement
“Preserve and Enhance the Future of Flight Through World Class Events, Inspiring and Educating People of All Ages”
Pioneers
Our SUN ‘n FUN Pioneers were and, in some cases, still are instrumental in the initial and continued success of the SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In. We honor those who gave so much so those today can continue to enjoy aviation and educate our future aviators.
Arnold Allen* | Max Dooley* | Esther Jenkins* | Roscoe Morton* | Sandra Spanier |
---|---|---|---|---|
Daris Anderson | Allan Duncan* | Merle Jenkins* | Johnny Mott* | John Starr* |
Marshall Anderson* | Bob Dunham | William Jennings | Tom Murray* | Max Stenger* |
Ray Anderson | Jennie Dyke* | Milt Jobes* | Gladys Muse* | Jo Stephenson |
Joe Araldi* | John Dyke | Ruth Jobes* | Robert Muse, Sr.* | Paul Stephenson |
Allan Arbuthnot | Carl Eaton* | Ruth Johnson* | Wynn Nobriga* | Glen Stork* |
Warren Arnault* | James Eaton* | Einer Johnson* | Jo Olcott* | Grover Summers* |
Calvin Arter, Sr. | Lorraine Eaton* | Betty Jones* | Ray Olcott* | Hubert Talton* |
Em Avery* | Bill Ehlen* | Martin Jones* | Betty Orme* | Charlotte Thomas |
Barry Barkman | Bill Eickhoff | Jack Kehoe* | Kirby Orme* | Chris Thomas* |
Dan Barnes* | Suzy Eickhoff | Landis Ketner* | Hank Palmer* | Gary Thomas |
Fran Barnes* | Len Elswick* | Art Kilps* | Bonnie Peck | Ralph Thomas* |
John Baugh | Rachel Elswick | June Kilps* | Carl Peck* | Steve Thomas |
Don Bennett | John Engles* | Jane Kimball | Carl Pederson | Jo Thompson* |
Johnny Bennett* | Marty Faux | Jim Kimball | W. B. "Red" Perkins* | W.D. "Duffy" Thompson* |
Lee Bennett | Ray Fiset* | Gordon Knapp | Bonnie Perkins | Dean Tilton* |
Morris Bennett* | Fred Fisher* | Bud Koetz* | Rex Perry | Lloyd Toll* |
John Best* | Lyle Flagg* | Willie Lane | Audrey Poberezny* | Tommy Tompkins |
Evelyn Blink* | Duane Fournier* | Delores Langley | Paul Poberezny* | Walt Troyer* |
Leo Blink* | Nelda Fournier | James Langley* | Dorothy Pratt | Bill Truebe* |
Jack Bowling* | David Frantz | Marguerite Lawrence* | Claude “Gene” Pratt | Frank Valdes* |
Pat Boyce* | Donna Frantz | Merle Lilly* | Freddie Quinn* | Rose Valdes* |
Victor Boyce* | John Freeman* | Olin Longcoy* | Patricia Quinn | Fred Varn* |
Russell Brause* | Jim Frey | Barney Lucas* | William Race* | Ruth Varn* |
Larry Brock | Grahame Gates* | Tom Mack* | Roger Don Rae* | Ed Veres |
Bergon Brokaw* | Brian Geiger | Jim Mahoney* | George Read, Jr.* | Dave Vergason* |
Buddy Brokaw* | Lorena Grotefend* | Lu Mahoney | Dolores "Dodie" Redding | Milt Voigt* |
Peggy Brown* | Ray Haberman* | Byrd Mapoles* | Herb Redding* | Betty Walker |
William Buston* | Nick Harper | Stewart Mast* | Jerry Reynolds | Ken Walker |
James Campbell* | Chris Heintz* | Bill McClintock* | Ken Rickert* | Linn Walters |
Doris Casey* | Michael Heintz | Leonard McGinty* | Marion Robles* | Fred Ware |
Harry Casey | Adair Henderson* | Ann McKee | Rosemary Rogers | Lloyd Washburn* |
Ken Chalker* | Arthur Henderson | William McKee | Willie Ropp* | Everett Welsch |
Michael Chenoweth | Billy Henderson* | Phil McKenzie* | Grace Russell* | Bill Wheeler |
Ralph Cobb | Wade Henderson | Sandy McKenzie | Larry Russell* | Lyle D. Wheeler* |
Bill Cocker* | Ronald Henry* | Ernie Meixner* | George Saunway* | Bill Williams* |
James Coverdale | Bob Herman | Emily Mensing* | Mary Lou Saunway* | Larry Willis |
Lynn Coverdale* | Bonnie Higbie* | W.R. Mensing* | Floy Sawyer* | Lorrie Wilson |
Esther Cowan | Ken Higgins | Les Merritt* | Rocky Sawyer* | Patricia Wilson |
George Cowan* | Pam Higgins | William Meserole | Dave Schlingman | Allan Wise* |
Golda Cox* | Bob Highley | Marie Miller* | Polly Schroeder* | Mitch Wiseman* |
Jack Cox* | Susan Highley | Marvin Miller | Dave Shallbetter | Steve Wittman* |
Bob Curtis | Dick Hill* | Sherry "Sweetpea" Miller* | John Shinn* | Don Wood* |
Ron Dahly* | Jeannie Hill* | Truman Miller* | Carol Shoaf | Jessie Woods* |
Jim Dantzman | Edward Hoffman, Sr.* | Lois Mitchell* | Merle Shoaf* | George "Woody" Woodward* |
Bud Davidson | Paul Hopkins* | Wallace Mitchell* | Diane Smith | |
Emogene Davis | Robert Hopkins* | Bob Moler* | Mike Smith | |
Ken Davis* | Orrick Howard* | Don Morris | Jimmy "Ragman" Snyder* | |
Charles Dewey* | Charles Jamieson* | Donna-Lee Morris-Nattrass | Rod Spanier* |