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   37 Annual SUN'n FUN International Fly-In & Expo - 2011

 

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Sping Break for Pilots and Friends!  -  We attented the 37th Annual SUN'n FUN International Fly-In & Expo at Lakeland, Florida.   The exhibitors, vendors, workshops, daily and night shows has plently of activities for everyone to see and do throughtout the week.  We also surived our 1st Tornado in Lakeland, Forida.  You can find more pictures and full details at   www.sun-n-fun.org 

 

 

           

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1 Apr 11 - No April Fools Joke  -  We heard on the Sun'n Fun radio station this morning that they were approxiately 40 to 50 damaged aircraft from yesterday's Tornado.  When we walked over  to the event area we saw most the clean up well on it's way. There were planes being taken away and the vendors busy cleaning up there space getting ready for the week-end.  The sun was out and many spectators came to see the damage. It's was amazing to see how quickly everyone adopted to the situation and in no time they were ready to carry on for the remainder of the weekend.

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A PPG Evening Demo with big ears was performed by Stan from Connecticut and the foot dags was Paul from Planet PPG in Pine Island, Florida.  I didn't have my equipment with me so the only PPG equipment available was Jared's Nirvana Trike which he had given me permission to fly.  When Paul and Stan took off the winds were too high for trike so I waited for the winds to drop.  Not long after I was hooked in ready to launch and just as I was going to receive the signal for clearance they shut down the airfields for the Night Airshow.    

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                                                                              Jared's Nirvana Trike under the Light Sport Aircraft won the 2011 Reserve Grand Champion Award

                   

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31 Mar 11 - Tornado at Sun'n Fun Fly-In  -  In the morning Jo and I walked over to the venders hangars at the convention to check out the newest in Aviation.   Not long after arriving, the heavy rain and thunderstorms started. It wasn't long before people gathered in the vendors hangers for shelter for protection.  The winds and rain were incredible and  before they closed the doors in Hanger B Johanne was able to take a picture of the green sky.  Of course you know what that means!!   Yes a Tornado had touched down in the close vicinity.  After 30 minutes or so they opened up the hangar doors to look at the carnage.  Luckily there were no major injures at the Sun & Fun convention but unfortunately there were many aircraft   and vendors tents that were not that fortunate.  There were many aircraft flipped over that were heavily damaged as well as reports of plenty of damage in the campgrounds.  No one was allowed to walk towards the damaged aircraft but Jo did manage to take a few pics. Our next concern was to see how our Motorhome made out.   So we walked back to the motorhome and on our way we seen plenty of broken trees and ripped up tents.  Luckily our Motorhome was unscathed by the Tornado and flying debris.

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Not long after arriving back to the motorhome, the Sun'n Fun radio station and security police were telling campers more extreme weather approaching within 15 minutes and to take shelter in a hardened building.   Since we had no time to walk back we took the car to the Academy Building.   One hour later we heard the convention, airport and all aircraft operation were closed for the remainder of the day for clean up.  They wouldn't let us take the car back to the campsite so we walked back in the rain and seen about two dozen other aircraft destroyed.  Lots of insurance adjusters were taking pictures and unfortunately Jo had no time to take her camera with us to take pics also.  For the remainder of the day we had steady rain and thunder.  However, the good news is that the weekend weather looks good and the Sun & Fun convention will restart 0800 hrs tomorrow morning. I know the Sun & Fun staff will be busy all night removing aircraft and cleaning debris from the area. 
30 Mar 11 - Sun'n Fun International Fly-In  -   Due to the heavy rain and thunderstorms on Monday and Tuesday in Florida we waiting for a clear day to travel to Lakeland and camp on site for the 37th Annual Sun'n Fun International Fly-In & Expo.   It was nice to see Stan, Doug and his friend from Connecticut.  Also seen Jeff, President of USPPA and his friend Tim from Chicago looking at all the aviation toys.   Had a chance to see "The Maverick Flying Car" before the heavy rain and thunderstorms rolled in which cancelled the activities and airshow.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day.

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