Sun-n-Fun

[FlyingRon]

Well, 25 years in a row at Oshkosh but never have been to Sun-n-Fun (well technically I was in Lakeland last year on Monday while people were arriving but left before the show started). When Margy was teaching it never lined up with her spring break. Well this year she's presenting (aerospace education) and I have to attend the ANS board meeting so we're going!

[Zack Baughman]

I compare SNF and Oshkosh to visiting San Francisco and New York City. They are both big cities and most everybody speaks the same language, but they are totally different experiences. Take a minute or two to visit the museum on the grounds - they did a great restoration of the Lockheed XFV-1 Pogo and they have a nice collection of Howard Hughes items. Usually Kermit's Hawker Tempest and P-63 are nearby as well and worth a walk around.

Zack

[gbrasch]

I am looking forward to my first trip there also this year, have attended every "Oshkosh" except two since 1984.......but never to Sun 'N Fun.

[pilotgirlbuf]

I have never been to either!! This year I will be at Oshkosh for sure, however i'm on the fence about SNF. My sister lives in Brandon, FL, so it makes it that much easier to be there. If I do go for one day, does anyone know 'the best' day to go?

[WLIU]

If you live in Buffalo, the Sun-N-Fun is scheduled right about when we all have had enough of winter and are in serious need ot a taste of spring. Sun-N-Fun is more low key, intimate, and relaxed. On average, the temps are wonderful for a northerner. OSH is more of everything, more spread out, summer heat and thunderstorms, a bunch of non-aviation stuff, and more walking or running around. Both shows are great for their own reasons. But after a winter that featured a lot of days with single digit morning temps, Sun-N-Fun is a great get away. Come April, put the ocean on your left wing, the land on your right, and when the temp is into the low '70's, you'll find the show.

Best of luck,

Wes
N78PS

[jedi]

I have never been to either!! This year I will be at Oshkosh for sure, however i'm on the fence about SNF. My sister lives in Brandon, FL, so it makes it that much easier to be there. If I do go for one day, does anyone know 'the best' day to go?

Can't do it justice in a day. Would you go to OSH for one day. Thursday is sea plane day if that suits your fancy. But then the seaplanes are there other days too. Check the web site for forums of interest and show specials.

[jedi]

If you live in Buffalo, the Sun-N-Fun is scheduled right about when we all have had enough of winter and are in serious need ot a taste of spring. Sun-N-Fun is more low key, intimate, and relaxed. On average, the temps are wonderful for a northerner. OSH is more of everything, more spread out, summer heat and thunderstorms, a bunch of non-aviation stuff, and more walking or running around. Both shows are great for their own reasons. But after a winter that featured a lot of days with single digit morning temps, Sun-N-Fun is a great get away. Come April, put the ocean on your left wing, the land on your right, and when the temp is into the low '70's, you'll find the show.

Best of luck,

Wes
N78PS

Watch the wiggle room around the (Class) B stuff if you do not have the (Mode) C stuff.

[RickFE]

I have gone to both for the last 4 as well as sporadically in the past. I live in FL so it is easy for me to get to SNF but it is sort of like OSH light...not that that is necessarily a bad thing, it just isn't on quite the scale as OSH. I generally go with my Grandson to SNF for Friday Sat and Sun and we camp with the Plane. It has a lot of the same atmosphere just not all the bells and whistles but I love seeing aviation through my Grandson's eyes once in a while.

Mom still isn't quite ready for him to go all the way to OSH.
3738
Still a great place for parts, looking at stuff and some of the same types of workshops.

You would enjoy it.

Rick

[PaulDow]

One thing you should strongly consider doing is visiting Fantasy of Flight in Polk City. Kermit Weeks has created a beautiful facility with a lot of unique planes.

Unfortunately, it looks like attendance isn't what he's hoped for, and the facility will close to the general public on April 6.

see https://www.facebook.com/fantasyofflight

It will still be available for group events, but it looks like Kermit is going to concentrate on aircraft restoration there.

I really like the look of that Officer's Club he's made there, along with the exhibit of the WWII B-17 maintenance.

[FlyingRon]

I've done Fantasy of Flight.

[rleffler]

One thing you should strongly consider doing is visiting Fantasy of Flight in Polk City. Kermit Weeks has created a beautiful facility with a lot of unique planes.

Unfortunately, it looks like attendance isn't what he's hoped for, and the facility will close to the general public on April 6.

see https://www.facebook.com/fantasyofflight

It will still be available for group events, but it looks like Kermit is going to concentrate on aircraft restoration there.

I really like the look of that Officer's Club he's made there, along with the exhibit of the WWII B-17 maintenance.

Unfortunately, they announced it's closing yesterday.......

[lnuss]

Unfortunately, it looks like attendance isn't what he's hoped for, and the facility will close to the general public on April 6.

That's a shame -- I went there a few years back, and it's a wonderful experience. I went after attending my son's Army basic training graduation in Georgia. But I'm not fond of Florida, so I'd probably never get back there, even if it were still open.

[pilotgirlbuf]

Well I would love to go the entire week, but I have to be careful with finances. I am still a student pilot, so I am paying for that in cash, and Oshkosh this year is my big trip and main goal. (I will have my PPL for sure before Oshkosh, I most likely will not have it in time for SNF). I don't have much to go, however mother nature is less than kind to us in the northeast. WLIU you are totally correct, after this winter, the break is much needed!!!!!!!!!! This winter has been harsh and I havent been able to get much flying in, (other than a trip to see my sister on southwest haha). So I am in some serious need!! Thanks so much for all the info, I know its hard to pick one day to go, but I do want to go. Once I get where I want to be with all my ratings, I'll be able to go and not have to worry about finances.

[steve]

Unfortunately, they announced it's closing yesterday.......
Kermit should've made the place a "fly-to destination" or put the facility at a public airport.