Press Releases

Overview of AviNation’s on-site/show activities and promotions. To include an update on our Rising Star Program, Tram Talk at SUN ‘n FUN, the Future in Flight Podcast and future opportunities for our youth and programs to participate in the AviNation platform.

Our CCO, accompanied by his sales team and Stephen Fiegel, INTEGRAL R pilot, would like to share the latest developments in our aircraft programs. The arrival of INTEGRAL E, the first 100% electric aircraft in its class, in the United States this year, progress on the ERA program (hybrid-electric regional aircraft), the arrival of the first assembly parts at the Daytona Hangar, INTEGRAL R’s performance in competition.

FlyORKA will share a modern point of view: Flight Training efficiency is important to students, instructors, and operators in the way “health is important to people.” It means students, instructors, and operators, can connect their efforts to understand how to make their next allocation of resources more valuable. Flight Training efficiency allows students, instructors, and operators, to treat their resources like gold, protecting the payoff of flight training. Which in turn makes everyone more successful. We will introduce FlyORKA: the Flight Training Efficiency System designed for learning, mobile, cloud, and the social era, to help pilots in training reach higher pilot capabilities, faster. Flight Training Efficiency is our business.

Fly ORKA, Inc.

Tuesday, April 1 – Kicking Off with Coffee & Aircraft Maintenance ☕✈️

🔹 Airplanes & Coffee – FREE COFFEE Daily
🕗 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
👤 Russ Keith – Founder, Airplanes & Coffee
📍 Bushwheel Basecamp
☕ Proudly serving Legendary Coffee. Start the day with coffee and conversation.

🔹 Where to Find Mechanics for Experimentals & LSA ✈️🌲
🕥 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
👤 Bryan Walstrom – Host & Owner, The Experimental Aircraft Channel
📍 STOL Basecamp Forum
🔧 Learn where to find the right Experimental & LSA aircraft mechanics.

🎤 LIVE STOL Pilot Interviews by National STOL 🎥
🕛 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
📍 National STOL Booth, Paradise City – LP-032
👥 Hosted by Ryan Dembroski & Cam Walton

🔹 STOL Invitational at the Grass Strip
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Paradise City, Runway 8/26 🚀

Wednesday, April 2 – STOL & Partnership Talks + Community Dinner

🔹 Airplanes & Coffee – FREE COFFEE Daily
🕗 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
👤 Russ Keith – Founder, Airplanes & Coffee
📍 Bushwheel Basecamp
☕ Proudly serving Legendary Coffee. Start the day with coffee and conversation.

🔹 RAF and the Power of Partnership
🕘 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
👤 Matt Hofeldt (VP of Brand, Aviat Aircraft) & Lou (Georgia RAF Ambassador)
📍 STOL Basecamp Forum

🔹 STOL for Rookies – How to Get Started in STOL 🛩️
🕙 10:15 AM – 11:15 AM
👤 Jon “Jughead” Counsell
📍 STOL Basecamp Forum

🎤 LIVE STOL Pilot Interviews by National STOL 🎥
🕛 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
📍 National STOL Booth, Paradise City – LP-032

🍽️ Authentic Jambalaya Dinner & Craft Beer Social 🎶
🔹 Sponsored by Aviat HUSKY & The RAF
🕟 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 Bushwheel Basecamp
🍺 Craft Beer Sponsored by Swan Brewing Co. & Mastry’s Brewing Co

🔹 Basecamp Craft Beer & Chill Vibes 🍻 🎶
🕔 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
📍 Bushwheel Basecamp
🍺 Beer Provided by Mastry’s Brewing Co. & Swan Brewing Co.
🍺 Wind down with craft beer, good company, and great vibes as we gear up for the EPIC Night Show!

Thursday, April 3 – STOL Techniques & Off-Airport Flying

🔹 Airplanes & Coffee – FREE COFFEE Daily
🕗 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
👤 Russ Keith – Founder, Airplanes & Coffee
📍 Bushwheel Basecamp
☕ Proudly serving Legendary Coffee. Start the day with coffee and conversation.

🔹 A Discussion on Safe Minimum Altitudes When Off-Airport Flying
🕙 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
👤 Patrick McInteer
📍 STOL Basecamp Forum

🔹 Real World Off-Airport VS STOL Competition Flying
🕚 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
👤 Jughead Counsell, Dan Reynolds, Keith Lange
📍 STOL Basecamp Forum

🎤 LIVE STOL Pilot Interviews by National STOL 🎥
🕛 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
📍 National STOL Booth, Paradise City – LP-032

🔹 TL Sport Aircraft – Bringing Composites into the Backcountry
🕛 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
👤 Trey Murdaugh – CEO TL Sport Aircraft / Justin Tisdale – STOL Pilot & Consultant
📍 STOL Basecamp Forum

🔹 STOL Invitational at the Grass Strip
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Paradise City, Runway 8/26 🚀

Friday, April 4 – STOL Design & Humanitarian Flight

🔹 Airplanes & Coffee – FREE COFFEE Daily
🕗 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
👤 Russ Keith – Founder, Airplanes & Coffee
📍 Bushwheel Basecamp
☕ Proudly serving Legendary Coffee. Start the day with coffee and conversation.

🔹 Zenith STOL Designs: Form Follows Function
🕤 9:30 AM – 10:30 AM

👤 Sebastien Heintz (CEO, Zenith Aircraft Co.)

🎙️ With special guest Sheldon Heatherington Driver of “Red Bird” Zenith 750 & STOL Invitational Pilot

📍 STOL Basecamp Forum

🎤 LIVE STOL Pilot Interviews by National STOL 🎥
🕛 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
📍 National STOL Booth, Paradise City – LP-032

🔹 STOL Invitational at the Grass Strip
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Paradise City, Runway 8/26 🚀

Saturday, April 5 – Backcountry Safety & Adventure

🔹 Airplanes & Coffee – FREE COFFEE Daily
🕗 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM
👤 Russ Keith – Founder, Airplanes & Coffee
📍 Bushwheel Basecamp
☕ Proudly serving Legendary Coffee. Start the day with coffee and conversation.

🔹 Beyond the Runway: Essential Safety in Backcountry
🕙 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
👤 John Hartz, Patrick McInteer, Jay Stanford, Keith Lange, Dan Reynolds, Rick Ness
📍 STOL Basecamp Forum

🎤 LIVE STOL Pilot Interviews by National STOL 🎥
🕛 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM
📍 National STOL Booth, Paradise City – LP-032

🔹 Basecamp Craft Beer & Chill Vibes 🍻 🎶
🕔 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
📍 Bushwheel Basecamp
🍺 Beer Provided by Mastry’s Brewing Co. & Swan Brewing Co.
🍺 Wind down with craft beer, good company, and great vibes as we gear up for the EPIC Night Show!

🔹 STOL Invitational at the Grass Strip
🕖 7:00 PM
📍 Paradise City, Runway 8/26 🚀

✈️ Fly, Connect, and Experience the Bushwheel Basecamp!
Don’t forget to tag us in your photos and videos!
📲 @STOL.flysnf | #BWBC #SNFSTOL #SNF25

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

A huge thank you to the sponsors who help make the Bushwheel Basecamp possible!

Bushwheel Basecamp 2025 Sponsors:

HUSKY Aircraft

The RAF

PREMIER LUXURY RY RENTALS

Cross Wired Electrical Services

McFarlane Aviation

Mastry’s Brewing Co

Patriot Aircraft

Swan Brewing Co
TL Sport Aircraft
Operation Airdrop
Sky Cowboy Supply Co
Slow Mo STOL
Experimental Aircraft Channel

Your partnership and support help us bring the backcountry aviation spirit to life at SUN ‘n FUN!

All meet and greets will be held at Aerobatic HQ (New location – South of Seaplanes)

Don’t Miss Out, Tune In! – SUN ‘n FUN Radio

Whether you are a first time visitor or long time SUN ‘n FUN guest, there is never enough time to take in all the activities at the fly-in. And, did you ever try to read a program book and walk?

We have the solution—SUN ‘n FUN Radio!

SUN ‘n FUN Radio Broadcasts locally on 1510 AM & audio streams worldwide on www.LiveATC.net/snf.

Tune in… We will keep you updated on scheduled events as well as special activities, and guests for the day.Tune in to hear our RadioActive volunteer announcers & reporters bring you interviews with a variety of interesting pilots, builders, aviation enthusiasts, and SUN ‘n FUN exhibitors, sponsors & advertisers, as well as weather updates and major news stories.

We also broadcast the daily airshow commentary & select evening programs.

Please “Like” our Facebook Page www.Facebook.com/SnFRadio

You can also follow us on Twitter  www.Twitter.com/SnFRadio

Or you can email us at SnFRadio@gmail.com

SUN ‘n FUN Media Productions and SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo TV

Media Productions at SUN ‘n FUN is the Aerospace Center for Excellence’s in-house media gathering team. Production facilities are wholly located within the company’s headquarters. Producing 4K and HD broadcast video assets promotes the organization’s activities across all areas, from the fly-in to education.

Established in 2023 for SUN ‘n FUN, an all-volunteer team produces Live Streaming of television programming, short and long-form video features, and marketing assets for use by the Aerospace Center for Excellence.

In 2024, the Media productions Team:

• Acquired more than 4.3 terabytes (TB) of video footage
• Produced more than 20 hours of Live Television
• Produced 249 video programs, features, or shorts

While this is a volunteer team, members of Media Productions bring more than 70 years of broadcast production experience to the event. This spirit of volunteering and professionalism is the hallmark of the history of SUN ‘n FUN.

Available Assets and Programming

During the SUN ‘n FUN fly-in, Media Productions is actively videotaping multiple events that occur on campus.  Requests for footage should be made to Dave Kalahar at dkalahar@flysnf.org

Live Events can be captured via a Boxcast URL.  Contact Dave Kalahar for details.

The ACE/SNF broadcast studio may be available for outside production. Our fully equipped multi-camera studio is capable of 4K and HD production. Contact Dave Kalahar for details and availability. 

Volunteer Opportunities

Media Productions is always looking for volunteers to help with its work. We need video editors, field camera operators, studio production assistants, and on-camera hosts or reporters. Full details are available at https://volunteer.flysnf.org/volunteer-job-listings/. We look forward to having you join the team.

• New Location – Northeast side of Warbird Ramp
• Exclusive Photo Area with access to elevated bleachers providing unobstructed photo shooting opportunities.
• Preferred Photo Seating Area does not include any benefits for the Tuesday night concert. This Preferred Photo Seating area is for flightline and daytime airshow viewing only.

Enjoy the airshow up close and personal…

The Preferred Airshow Seating Area is north of the Manufactured Display exhibit area and west of the chalets along the airshow line. Your purchase will provide access to seating, restrooms, some shade (not all areas are shaded), bag storage, and complimentary water during the daily airshow. Food and beverages, including beer, will also be available for purchase!

• If you plan to experience the Preferred Seating area, there is no need to bring your chairs, they are provided. Umbrellas are NOT permitted.
• Single Day Preferred Airshow Seating can be purchased online, please make sure you choose the ticket for the day you intend to be at SUN ‘n FUN. Preferred Airshow Seating tickets are day-specific and will be honored for the day purchased only.
• Night Airshows: Purchase of a $35 ticket (per person) allows for all-day access to the Preferred Seating Area, including the night airshows on Wednesday and Saturday nights. Regular tram schedules are unavailable after 8 p.m. – Preferred Seating Area does not provide seating for the Tuesday night concert that will be held on the Warbird ramp.
• Entry to the Preferred Airshow Seating for Children 6 and under is free, however, all guests are required to have a convention admission wristband, including children 6 and under.

Member Admission Purchase

SUN ‘n FUN provides general admission ticket discounts to individuals who are current members or belong to any of these Aviation Member Associations, Chapters, or Groups listed below.

SUN ‘n FUN has provided each Aviation Member Association, Chapter or Group with a unique discount code for their members. This discount code is required to purchase member-discounted admission tickets online (this includes FAM and EAA). A member ID card is required at the ticket window for an on-site redemption or purchase. Members can purchase one additional single-day or weekly ticket at the member’s rate. Additional admission tickets are available for purchase at the non-member rate. This code will NOT discount camping or any upgraded ticket, discounts apply to general admission tickets only!

Please review the list below to confirm your organization’s participation, then contact their member’s offce to request the member discount code.

Discounts are also available to Licensed Pilots, Licensed Aircraft & Powerplant Mechanics, and Active/Retired members of the U.S. Military. Contact SUN ‘n FUN for discount information.

Approved Member Organizations for General Admission Discounts

• Academy of Model Aeronautics – AMA
• Aircraft Owners & Pilots Association – AOPA
• Air Line Pilots Association Int’l – ALPA
• Allied Pilot Association – APA
• American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics – AIAA
• Antique Airplane Association – AAA
• Canadian Owners & Pilots Association – COPA
• Civil Air Patrol, Florida Wing – CAP
• Commemorative Air Force – CAF
• Experimental Aircraft Association – EAA
• Florida Air Museum (Support ACE/SNF) – FAM
• Florida Antique Biplane Association – FABA
• Florida Cub Flyers – FCF
• Florida Sport Aviation Antique and Classic Association – FSAACA
• International Council of Airshows – ICAS
• National Association of Flight Instructors – NAFI
• National Business Aviation Association – NBAA
• OX-5 Aviation Pioneers – OX5
• Quiet Birdman, Inc. – QB’s
• Retired Airline Pilots of Canada – RAPC
• Seaplane Pilots Association – SPA
• Silver Wings Fraternity – SWF
• Society of Aviation and Flight Educators – SAFE
• The Ninety-Nines, Inc. / The Friends of the Ninety-Nines – 99’s
• Ultralight Pilots Association of Canada – UPAC
• U.S. Power Paraglider Association – USPPA
• U.S. Ultralight Association – USUA
• Warbirds of America – WBA
• Women in Aviation – WIA

All members must be prepared to show proof of current membership (current membership card or I.D.) when redeeming an online ticket or when purchasing admission at any onsite ticket sales location.

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