Sun n’ Fun 2018 – Sun, Blue Skies & Airplanes!
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Sun n' Fun

Sun n’ Fun 2018 – Sun, Blue Skies & Airplanes!

That is what it’s supposed to be, yes?  After the total wash out of yesterday’s event everyone was eager to make up for lost time.  And, what better way to do that than with an F16 “screaming” across the show line to open today’s airshow.  No one could possibly have had the mid afternoon sleepies after the first pass.

The F16 above was from the Air Combat Command F-16 Viper Demonstration Team.  They are one of several performers being sent by the US Air Force to fill the spots left open after the Air Force cancelled the performances by the USAF Thunderbirds.  More photos later in the week…
Not long after the F16 landed the crowds were treated to a very different experience, that of silence. Luca Bertossio, winner of many of international glider competitions, demonstrated that an aircraft doesn’t need thousands of pounds of thrust or near supersonic speeds to execute precision aerobatic maneuvers.
Sun n' Fun
Embry Riddle is to aviation as Harvard or Yale are to the Ivy Leagues. Without taking anything away from any of their many graduates (did you know that there are over 20,000 ER graduates currently flying for the airlines?) Mat Chapman is perhaps the most visible representative of that institutions outstanding alumni. His performance never fails to make one ask, how does he do that? Sun n' Fun
If the thought of pulling G’s in an Extra 300 isn’t for you, then how about a bit more “civilized” aerobatic ride? Gene Koontz makes it look easy as he takes his Super Decathlon through a series of low altitude low g maneuvers. It may look easy, but don’t try this at home…
Sun n' Fun
Quick, name the aircraft that was originally made of wood, was the first jet to cross the Atlantic, the first to be powered by a single jet engine, remained in front line service into the early 1950’s and remained in active service until 1966 after which over 3300 were produced? If you guessed the de Havilland Vampire you are correct. It was an integral part of the Royal Air Force’s move to replace many of the WWII piston powered aircraft and played an active role as an interceptor until 1953. It’s twin booms and fuselage shape give it a very distinctive profile both on the ground and in the air.
Sun n' Fun

As I mentioned in yesterdays blog, choosing which photos to use can be daunting. Today was one of those days where I filled an entire 128GB memory card and started a second! If you think making a selection from a restaurant menu is challenging you should try sorting through a few hundred digital images. Hope you enjoyed my choices…        https://www.flysnf.org/

Fly safe.

Ken Dono
Sales Manager