Despite smaller crowds due to Florida’s fickle weather, the DeLand Sport Aviation Showcase was declared a success, with many among the 100 exhibitors racking up sales.
Airshows & Fly-Ins
SUN ‘n FUN president to retire after 2022 expo
After serving as president during the transformation of SUN ‘n FUN from “Spring Break for Pilots” into a world-class aviation-based education center, John “Lites” Leenhouts is retiring.
Picture of the Day: Hannah’s first flight
Nathan Mackey submitted this photo and note: “I have been in love with aviation since I was 4 years old. This Saturday I got to ride along with my daughter, Hannah, who just turned 4 last month, on her first airplane ride. It was a very special flight as it was in Helio Courier s/n 001, N242B, made in 1954. I flew in this airplane from 1998-2004 as a volunteer with JAARS to various airshows, including Oshkosh. N242B’s owner flew from Texas to JAARS in North Carolina to attend a private fly-in and to give Hannah her first airplane ride. Hannah’s comment when we rose above the trees was, “Wow! I can see EVERYTHING!” Here’s to many more years of flying for Hannah.”
Beech Party: Starship, Staggerwings and STOL
The annual Beech Party broke records in 2021, with a bumper crop of Beechcraft aircraft showing up for the fly-in in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
San Francisco Fleet Week roars back
San Francisco hosts the only Fleet Week in 2021, providing stunning backdrops for awesome airplanes.
Picture of the Day: Harvard coming in hot
Eric Dumigan submitted this photo and note: “Kent Beckham coming in hot after an air show practice.”
Diamonds in the sky
The 2021 Swift National Convention was a special one: The Diamond anniversary event celebrating 75 years.
Video: Festival of Flight
Smitty Smith, the force behind FunPlacesToFly.com, visited the Fall Festival of Flight in Gainesville, Texas, and shot this wrap-up video. You’ll see a wide variety of general aviation aircraft, including antiques, classics, warbirds, replicas and homebuilts.
Recovered Wildcat a time capsule with an amazing story to tell
A rare Grumman F4F-3 Wildcat recovered from the depths of Lake Michigan is a time capsule from World War II that was on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2021.