hangliders
Once a year, all kinds of flying machines swoop down on Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Central Florida for the "Sun' n Fun" annual aviation convention. A Florida fixture for more than 25 years, Sun 'n Fun rates nationally as second only to the renowned Oshkosh, Wisconsin aviation convention.
Sun'n Fun showcases aircraft of every size and era -- those mentioned above as well as single propeller planes, war planes, jets, hang gliders, ultralights, balloons, and homebuilt flying machines. The vast grassy field is a sea of planes, grouped by category. Even man-made birds of a feather flock together!
Many visitors arrive by conventional transport but some real aficionados fly
into Lakeland Linder, park their planes and camp out under the wings -- and
the stars.
During the day, the Aviation Marketplace, with over 500 exhibitors, and the
old bird's museum beckon. Several forums offer education on aviation matters.
Entertaining the kids is no problem. There's an on-site playground but the
excitement of seeing and possibly riding in an aircraft will keep them entertained.
If the kids want the experience of flying a plane, they can try their hand
on the rudder at simulated flights at Fantasy of Flight, near Polk City, about
20 minutes north of Sun 'n Fun.
Directions to Sun 'n Fun by Land: From Interstate 4, take Exit 15 to County
Line Road, turn right, then east on Medulla Road.
Directions by Air Go to 27-59.20.1N, 82-01.06.8W; field elevation -142' mean
sea level; and coordinate with the Lakeland Regional Airport control tower to
land on taxiway - 9L-27R.
Florida offers plenty of opportunities for landlubbers to take flight in non-traditional
aircraft. The State has some 14 facilities for commercial hang gliding; 66 for
experiencing ultralights, and scores of dedicated facilities for helicopters,
balloons and other kinds of aircraft. (click here)
Almost every category has its own WebPage. Ultralights - www.usua.com.: hang
gliders - www.ushga.org; balloons - www.bfa.net.
Free Flight Air Sports Center in Coleman,
north of Orlando is one of the few aviation facilities offering all the non-traditional
aircraft in one place.
For more information
on the Sun 'n Fun events, check out http://www.sun-n-fun.org Even if you cannot
make it to the convention, read the webpage for an enthusiastic description
and whimsical spin on the event.
Most of Florida's
experimental aircraft facilities allow you to be a pilot, with some training,
or you can sit back and enjoy the view from above. For information on this specialized
genre of non-traditional aircraft, visit the Experimental
Aircraft Association webpage,