Sun 'n Fun

Sun 'n Fun
Logo depicts a small plane flying towards the viewer and facing the left. The background consists of two concentric circles (inner is yellow depicting the sun, outer is light blue to represent the sky). On the right is a palm tree and on the left (above the plane) is the name "SUN 'n FUN".
Formation 1974 (1974)[1]
Type Nonprofit organization
59-2803958[2]
Legal status 501(c)(3) public charity[2]
Purpose Aviation education
Location
Services Fly-ins & other aviation events
Fields Aviation
President & CEO
John Leenhouts
Mission Preserve and enhance the future of flight through world-class events, inspiring and educating people of all ages.[3]
Website www.sun-n-fun.org
A Mooney M-18 Mite on display at Sun 'n Fun

Sun 'n Fun (officially styled SUN 'n FUN fly in, Inc.) is a nonprofit organization in Lakeland, Florida dedicated to the promotion of aviation education. It is best known for the annual week-long fly-in and airshow at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport in Lakeland, Florida, usually held during late March or early April.[4][5][6][7]

In addition to the fly-in, Sun 'n Fun also operates the Florida Air Museum and supports the Central Florida Aerospace Academy—a aviation-focused career academy operated by the Polk County School Board as part of Kathleen High School.[8]

History

The event was founded in 1974[1] and was first organized by the local chapter of the Experimental Aircraft Association, but is now an independent corporation and not affiliated with EAA. Sun 'n Fun is primarily a volunteer organization, with a small year-round staff.

Other ventures

The Florida Air Museum at Sun 'n Fun, is also located on the Sun 'n Fun campus at Lakeland Linder Regional Airport.

In April 2010 Sun 'n Fun received a US$7.5M grant from the Aviation Education Foundation for new the Central Florida Aerospace Academy building. The school is an existing aviation-oriented high school and career academy that is already located on the airport grounds. Completed in August 2011 it accommodates 500 high school students, increasing its current capacity of 175 students.[9]

Notable events

A Thorp T-18 tornado survivor

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "History". SUN 'n FUN. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  2. 1 2 "Exempt Organizations Select Check". Internal Revenue Service. Retrieved 2 August 2014. EIN:59-2803958, Legal name:Sun N Fun Fly in Inc., City:Lakeland, State:FL, Country:United States, Deductability status:PC ("Public charity")
  3. "Mission & Vision". SUN 'n FUN. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  4. Sun 'n Fun (n.d.). "Sun 'n Fun Fly-in". Archived from the original on 2008-07-30. Retrieved 2008-10-06.
  5. Sun 'n Fun (2010). "Future Dates". Retrieved 14 November 2010.
  6. Swaine, Liz (May 2004). "Sun 'n Fun Claims Record Exhibitors". Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  7. AvWeb staff (April 2001). "Sun 'n Fun 2001: Hot Fun in the Sunshine". Retrieved 2009-01-29.
  8. "Central Florida Aerospace Academy". polkacademies.com. Polk County School Board. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  9. Sun 'n Fun. "SUN ’N FUN RECEIVES $7.5 MILLION GRANT FOR NEW CENTRAL FLORIDA AEROSPACE ACADEMY BUILDING". Retrieved 2010-04-15.
  10. "Sun 'n Fun History". Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  11. "Bobby's History". Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  12. "For Sale: Bruce Bohannon's Flyin' Tiger". Retrieved 22 October 2013.
  13. "Sun ’n Fun reopens after severe storm". Retrieved 1 April 2011.
  14. Grady, Mary (April 2011). "NWS Confirms: Lakeland Airport Hit By Tornado". AvWeb. Retrieved 2 April 2011.
  15. "Blue Angels Returning to SUN 'n FUN". Retrieved 9 December 2014.
  16. "SUN 'n FUN Facebook Page". Retrieved 9 December 2014.

External links

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