Bringing Your Warbird to SUN ’n FUN?
SUN ’n FUN welcomes Warbird owners and pilots to bring their aircraft to the 2027 Aerospace Expo.
Whether you’re bringing your Warbird for display or planning to participate in a Warbird airshow, start by registering your aircraft and reviewing the requirements that apply to your participation.
REGISTER YOUR WARBIRD
Warbird Registration
Pilots bringing a Warbird to SUN ’n FUN should complete the Warbird Arrivals & Registration form before the event.
Weekly Wristband Allocation
Weekly wristbands are provided based on aircraft type, subject to type limits:
- Bombers — 9 wristbands
- Transports — 7 wristbands
- Fighters/Jets — 6 wristbands
- Trainers/Liaison — 3 wristbands
Space and aircraft-type allocations may be limited, so early registration is encouraged.
Warbird Arrivals & Registration
"*" indicates required fields
Bringing a Military Aircraft for Static Display?
Military static aircraft participation is coordinated separately and is subject to availability.
If you’re interested in bringing a military static aircraft to SUN ’n FUN, contact the SUN ’n FUN Military Liaison using the existing Military Static Aircraft Request pathway.
MILITARY STATIC AIRCRAFT REQUEST
Before You Fly
Review the current SUN ’n FUN NOTAM before departing for Lakeland. The NOTAM is the authoritative source for current arrival procedures, airport closures, air traffic information and other flight requirements.
When arriving for Warbird aircraft parking, display:
WARBIRD AIRCRAFT PARKING — WB
Large & Multi-Engine Warbirds
Pilots bringing large or multi-engine Warbird aircraft should coordinate with Doug Freeman, Warbirds Line Chief, in advance so appropriate aircraft parking arrangements can be made.
Bringing a Warbird Helicopter?
Warbird-type helicopters require special coordination.
Follow the current NOTAM procedures for helicopter arrivals and plan to arrive at Choppertown. After landing and shutting down, contact the Warbirds Line Crew on 125.025 MHz or contact Warbirds Line Chief Doug Freeman.
All transfers from Choppertown to the Warbirds area must be coordinated in advance.
Pilots should bring any necessary towing wheels or other ground-movement equipment in the event powered taxi is not available.
Warbird Ramp Operations
The Warbird Ramp is a static aircraft area. Engine starts and aircraft movement require coordination with the Warbirds Line Crew to maintain appropriate crowd control and safety around the aircraft.
Contact the Warbirds Line Crew on 125.025 MHz for information, directions, assistance and coordination before engine start.
Air Show Line & Aircraft Access
During the daily airshow waiver, an FAA-required Air Show Line is established through a portion of the Warbird aircraft parking area.
Access beyond the Air Show Line is restricted while the waiver is in effect. Aircraft parked beyond the line may therefore be inaccessible during portions of the airshow.
The Warbirds Line Crew will coordinate parking for aircraft participating in the Warbird airshows and aircraft being judged when possible.
If access to your aircraft during the airshow is important, discuss your parking needs with the Warbirds Line Crew.
Flying in the Warbird Airshow
Planning to do more than display your Warbird?
Pilots participating in a Daily Warbird Airshow must complete additional technical evaluation, documentation, waiver and briefing requirements.
Registering your aircraft for Warbird parking does not by itself complete the requirements for airshow participation.
Need Pilot Services?
Looking for fuel, aircraft services, flight-planning and weather resources, the Pilot Welcome Center, Fly-In Style benefits or other assistance during your stay?
Required Forms & Documentation
Pilot/Aircraft Technical Evaluation
Pilots planning to fly as an airshow performer or as a Warbird in the Showcase must complete the Pilot/Aircraft Technical Evaluation Form.
Flight Waivers
Anyone participating as an airshow performer, Warbird Showcase pilot, participant or passenger must complete the applicable flight waiver.
Airshow Pilot Requirements
Warbird pilots planning to participate in a Daily Warbird Airshow should be prepared to meet the applicable participation requirements.
First-Time SUN ’n FUN Warbird Airshow Pilots
New Warbird airshow participants must attend the Flying at SUN ’n FUN for the First Time briefing.
Veteran SUN ’n FUN pilots may also attend as a refresher.
Formation Flying
Pilots flying in a Warbird formation group must be appropriately formation-qualified through the FAST program or Joint Liaison Formation program, as applicable.
Not all aircraft types will participate in formation flight.
Required Pilot & Aircraft Documentation
Warbird airshow participants must provide the required documentation, including as applicable:
- Pilot/Aircraft Technical Evaluation Form
- Current pilot certificate
- Current FAST card when participating in formation flight
- Current medical certificate
- Aircraft insurance certificate that includes fly-by coverage
Documentation submitted in advance does not need to be resubmitted at onsite check-in unless requested.
Daily Airshow Briefings
All Warbird airshow pilots must attend the required briefing on each day they plan to participate.
Daily participation may vary based on available show time, aircraft types, themes and other operational considerations.
Current briefing times and locations will be available through Warbird Headquarters during the Expo.
Airshow Participant Benefits
Aircraft participating in the Warbird segment of a Daily Airshow may be eligible for participant benefits.
Warbird Hospitality
Participating Warbird airshow pilots may receive access to the Warbird Hospitality Tent, including daily lunch, subject to applicable personnel limits and wristband requirements.
Specialty and exotic aircraft may receive additional hospitality consideration on a case-by-case basis.
Airshow Fuel Reimbursement
Fuel reimbursement is available for eligible fuel burned during the airshow flight only.
To receive fuel reimbursement, pilots must hold at least a Commercial Pilot Certificate and current Second-Class Medical Certificate.
Pilots who do not meet those requirements may still participate when otherwise qualified but are not eligible to accept fuel or smoke-oil reimbursement.
Eligible airshow fuel usage will be coordinated through the appropriate Warbird airshow personnel.
Camping During SUN ’n FUN
Aircraft camping is not available within the Warbird aircraft parking area.
Warbird pilots who plan to camp during the Expo should review SUN ’n FUN’s available general camping options separately.
EXPLORE CAMPING | PURCHASE CAMPING
Need Pilot Services?
Looking for fuel, aircraft services, flight-planning and weather resources, the Pilot Welcome Center, Fly-In Style benefits or other assistance during your stay?
Experience Warbird Country
Looking for the aircraft, history and guest experience of Warbird Country during SUN ’n FUN?
Visit the guest-facing Warbirds page to explore the experience.