A Pioneering spirit: One of many

By CONNIE SUE WHITE, Flying magazine managing editor and SUN ’n FUN Today volunteer guest writer

At Sun ’n Fun, there are signs everywhere indicating the dedication of what has grown to a force of some 3,000 volunteers who put on a six-day event hosting an estimated 160,000 guests — from the friendly faces of those standing at the ready to greet guests and answer questions, to those driving by in golf carts on their way to their next task, to the dedications inscribed on placards strategically placed on various buildings and benches, and even the names on street signs.

One dedication in particular caught my attention when I was onsite last Saturday morning: The Sun ’n Fun Pioneers Wall outside the Florida Air Museum. Some 230 names adorn the wall, including the name of the man I was scheduled to interview — Paul Hopkins.

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AOPA partners with Build-A-Plane

The Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association has become the latest media partner with Build-A-Plane, supporting the Kids Across America campaign, created to help children make the trip to Oshkosh, Wis., for the Experimental Aircraft Association’s 2012 AirVenture.

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Sun ’n Fun Splash-In at Fantasy of Flight Thursday

Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Florida, will once again play host the annual Sun ’n Fun Splash-In, a one-day event specifically designed to celebrate seaplanes and other amphibious aircraft.

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Second annual Aeronca Fly-In set for Flabob

The Aeronca Aviators Club will stage its second annual Southwest Fly-In at Flabob Airport (RIR) in Riverside, Calif., on May 18-20. The group is expecting Aeronca and other antique aircraft owners from Southern California, Nevada, Oregon and Arizona.

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Lindbergh Foundation to present awards Thursday

The Charles A. and Anne Morrow Lindbergh Foundation will present the Lindbergh Award and the Lindbergh Spirit Award at a celebration at Fantasy of Flight in Polk City, Thursday.

Legendary inventor Forrest Bird will receive the 2012 Lindbergh Award and Florida businessman-philanthropist James C. Ray has been named recipient of the Spirit Award.

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Garmin debuts AC-U-KWIK for glass panels

Garmin reported at Sun ’n Fun that it will begin offering AC-U-KWIK Airport Directory data for its glass flight decks.

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Cessna employees rally for Veterans Airlift Command

Cessna Aircraft Co. donated $25,000 on behalf of Cessna employees to benefit the Veterans Airlift Command on opening day of the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In & Expo in Lakeland, Fla. The Veterans Airlift Command (VAC) is a nonprofit organization that provides free transportation for injured veterans. Cessna has designated a Citation Mustang, named “American Patriot,” to fly VAC missions. The donated funds were raised through Cessna employee purchases of 2,152 commemorative Citation Mustang, American Patriot limited edition T-shirts.

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The family flying station wagon

There are many men who will tell you that when they suggested the idea of buying an airplane to their wives, it very nearly resulted in divorce. But Kenneth Spivey Jr., from Vestavia, Ala., says he had a completely different experience when it came to the purchase of his Cessna 170B.

“My wife actually MADE ME go buy this airplane!” he insists.

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Students take to the skies to thank their benefactor

Thursday at the Sun ’n Fun fly-in in Lakeland, Florida, two 17-year-old students will perform a special fly-by honoring James Ray, the man who donated the money to build the Central Florida Aerospace Academy on the Sun ’n Fun campus.

The students, Phillip “Maverick” Herrington and Angel “Talisman” Castellanos, wanted to perform the fly-by to thank the man who made their wildest dreams come to life.

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CAP cadets pitch in to build first RAF Fire Hub

By CONNIE SUE WHITE

When Civil Air Patrol Seminole Composite Squadron Deputy Commander Kenny Eads asked a group of five cadets to volunteer for a unique mission, it caught on like wildfire. The assignment: build the first-ever Fire Hub on the SUN ’n FUN campgrounds.

Eads explained to the young men that it would the be the first of 50 Fire Hubs planned across the United States as part of the Recreational Aviation Foundation’s latest fund-raising initiative [Read more...]