Sun 'Fun is more than a fly-in - it's a mission - and here's what to expect this week

This week, one of aviation's premier events will begin its 52nd year of delighting attendees with its multifaceted aircraft extravaganza -not to mention fabulous weather for those suffering the cold, wind, rain, and snow above the 37th parallel. This would be no other than the Sun'n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland, Florida, which begins on Tuesday and runs through Sunday. If the thought of warm weather and airplanes has your attention, it is not too late to make plans. How you get to Sun 'n Fun is your choice, whether it is via the airlines, flying in your own aircraft, or driving via auto or RV.If the numbers for Sun'n Fun 2025 are any indication of this year's event, you can look forward to a lot: • 560+ exhibitors and hundreds of forums to attend, including homebuilt workshop presentations, some of which some include hands on experience • 210,000 aviation enthusiasts attending over the six days • More than 3,000 aircraft on the field. This includes not only the attendees who flew to Sun'n Fun but also displays of aircraft from vendors, manufacturers, homebuilts, classics, seaplanes, ultralights, STOL aircraft, warbirds and, of course, the airshow performers. Regarding the airshows, there are day and nighttime events throughout, jam-packed with crowd favorites such as the US Air Force Thunderbirds, the F-22 Raptor Team, the F/A-18 Rhino Demo Team, Michael Goulian, the B-25 Mitchell "Panchito," and so much more. For a venue that is garnering a great deal of spectators and is a hoot to watch, consider visiting the Sun'n Fun STOL Invitational presented by TL Sport Aircraft, where you will see pilots engaging in the art of taking off in the shortest distance and landing precisely at the slowest of speeds. This year, many of the top STOL pilots from the US and Canada will be at the Sunset Aerial Circus in the Paradise City area of the airfield. The schedule, subject to change, is 7-8 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, and 1 p.m. Wednesday.RELATED STORY: How airshows are evolving in 2026 andamp; beyond In addition to all this aerial fun, there is a greater mission. With more than 3,000 volunteers contributing to its success, the proceeds for the event go to ACE, the Aerospace Center of Excellence, and its mission: Engage, Educate andamp; Accelerate, The Next Generation of Aerospace Professionals. ACE began in 2014 and encompasses many facets of fostering the next generation of aviation professionals of all disciplines. I'm afraid my description of the program in its entirety wouldn't do it justice. You can learn more here. As one volunteer told me, they are fostering a generation of aviators from cradle to cockpit and now have more than 200 students who have obtained their pilot's license. In 2021, I had the pleasure of meeting an amazing volunteer with The Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA), Julie Kincart, and her son, Landon. The CFAA is at Polk County School, which has a close partnership with ACE. Julie gave me a tour of the Aviation High School, which is one of 14 buildings on ACE Campus at Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL). The facility is very impressive. Name a facet of aviation that a student would want to go into, and they have it covered. Professional pilot? Check, they have simulators. Engineering? Solidworks training, 3D printing and more. Aandamp;P? A whole workshop with a Cessna to wrench on, with many other career paths represented, as well. This year at Sun'n Fun, many seminars are being held in the CFAA building. Consider attending a seminar at CFAA to see this impressive facility, the other 13 buildings on ACE Campus and see what amazing work ACE is doing for the future of aviation.