The Wandering Disciple

  The grand finale ignites the sky over Lakeland, Florida as the United States Air Force Thunderbirds streak across the horizon at the SUN ‘N FUN Aerospace Expo. In a blur of speed, precision, and thunderous power, the team delivers a breathtaking display of tight formations and high-energy maneuvers that define the pinnacle of military aviation performance. As the main event, their show-stopping routine leaves the crowd in awe with an unforgettable crescendo to one of aviation’s premier gatherings.

  Tight formation and grassroots performance take center stage at the SUN ‘N FUN Aerospace Expo as the Full Throttle Formation Team sweeps overhead in their Van’s RV series aircraft. Built in garages and flown with precision, these high-performance homebuilts showcase the spirit of experimental aviation, flying wingtip-to-wingtip in a display of coordination, trust, and pure flying passion. Each pass highlights the remarkable capability of the RV lineup.

  Defying expectations at the SUN ‘N FUN Aerospace Expo, "Gentleman" Jim Peitz puts an unconventional twist on aerobatics in his Beechcraft Bonanza. Known primarily as a reliable cross-country traveler rather than a purpose-built aerobatic machine, the Bonanza takes on a whole new personality in Peitz’s hands. With smooth precision and carefully executed maneuvers, he showcases just how far skill and creativity can push the limits of an aircraft never designed for the aerobatic spotlight.

  High-speed chaos meets razor-sharp precision at the SUN ‘N FUN Aerospace Expo as Skip Stewart unleashes an electrifying performance in the Pitts Special Prometheus. Known for pushing the edge of controlled flight, Stewart tears through the sky with aggressive snaps, knife-edge passes, and heart-stopping low-level maneuvers, all executed with split-second timing. The roar of the engine and the blur of motion create a relentless, high-energy spectacle filled with intensity, innovation, and fearless artistry that define his flying style.

  Raw power meets unmatched precision at the SUN ‘N FUN Aerospace Expo as Nic “Laz” Le Tourneau pushes the limits of the Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor in a breathtaking demonstration. With explosive climbs, tight high-alpha maneuvers, and seemingly effortless control, the Raptor defies expectations at every turn. Each pass showcases the cutting edge of air dominance technology, while Laz’s precision flying transforms raw capability into a powerful, crowd-stopping performance.

Classic stick-and-rudder skill meets fresh-from-the-hangar performance at the SUN ‘N FUN Aerospace Expo as Greg Koontz takes to the skies in his brand new American Champion Super Decathlon. Blending precision aerobatics with his signature showmanship, Koontz wrings every ounce of performance from the aircraft by turning simple maneuvers into a dynamic, crowd-pleasing display. It’s a perfect pairing of veteran experience and a pristine platform, showcasing the timeless art of aerobatic flight with a modern edge.

A living piece of aviation history graces the ramp at the SUN ‘N FUN Aerospace Expo as the Lockheed C-121 Super Constellation “Bataan” stands as a tribute to a remarkable past. Once the personal aircraft of Douglas MacArthur during the Korean War era, this elegant propliner carried one of America’s most prominent military leaders across the Pacific. Years later, it found new purpose supporting recovery operations for NASA’s early human spaceflight missions, including the Apollo program, linking it to the dawn of the space age. With its iconic triple-tail silhouette and storied service, “Bataan” bridges generations—honoring both military leadership and the pioneering spirit of exploration.

Heavy lifters and mission-ready power take center stage at the SUN ‘N FUN Aerospace Expo as the C-17 Globemaster III, KC-46 Pegasus, and KC-135 Stratotanker showcase the backbone of global mobility and refueling operations. Representing Altus Air Force Base, these aircraft highlight the critical role the base plays as the primary training ground for pilots and crews who operate them. From strategic airlift to in-flight refueling, every mission begins with the training and precision honed at Altus—where the next generation of air mobility and tanker pilots is built.

  Power, precision, and nonstop motion—RJ Gritter commands the sky at the SUN ‘N FUN Aerospace Expo with a performance that keeps every eye locked upward. Roaring through a sequence of tight turns, vertical climbs, and rapid-fire rolls, each maneuver flows seamlessly into the next, building intensity with every pass. Smoke trails carve bold lines across the Florida sky, marking moments of split-second timing and total control. From the first burst of speed to the final climb, every frame captures pure adrenaline and the unmistakable thrill of world-class aerobatics.

The SUN ‘N FUN Aerospace Expo comes alive as the Patriot Parachute Team soars overhead at Lakeland International Airport. Composed of military veterans, the team delivers a powerful display of precision and patriotism, continuing its tradition as a crowd-favorite feature at major events across the country. Photo: April 19, 2026 at SUN 'N FUN Aerospace Expo at Lakeland International Airport (Lakeland, FL)

  Smoke on, throttle up—Nathan Hammond of GhostWriter Airshows ignites the sky with a high-energy performance at the SUN ‘N FUN Aerospace Expo. Roaring low and fast, his aircraft carves tight turns and vertical climbs, trailing ribbons of smoke that ripple across the Florida blue. Each maneuver builds the tempo, drawing cheers from the crowd below as precision flying meets pure adrenaline. It’s a heart-pounding display of control, speed, and showmanship that defines the spirit of airshow excitement.  Taken: April 19, 2026 at SUN 'N FUN Aerospace Expo at Lakeland International Airport (Lakeland, FL)

Lakeland, Florida: Nestled in the heart of Central Florida, Bonnet Springs Park stands as a testament to nature's resilience and the power of community-driven revitalization. Once a neglected industrial site, the park has been transformed into a sprawling oasis, teeming with diverse ecosystems, recreational opportunities, and cultural attractions.  Spanning over 500 acres, Bonnet Springs Park boasts a rich tapestry of natural wonders. Visitors can explore lush wetlands, serene lakes, and vibrant butterfly gardens, all interconnected by a network of scenic trails. The park is also home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, turtles, and alligators, providing ample opportunities for nature observation and photography.  Bonnet Springs Park offers a wealth of recreational activities for visitors of all ages. From kayaking and paddleboarding on the lake to hiking and biking along the trails, there's something for everyone to enjoy. The park also features playgrounds, picnic ar...

Lakeland, Florida: The airspace above Lakeland Linder International Airport came to life during the annual Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo. The annual week long airshow is the season opener for the airshow season and attracts world class pilots and hundreds of thousands of enthusiasts to Central Florida for a week of fun in the sun.  The Sun ‘n Fun Expo got its start in 1974 as a fly-in event for sport plane enthusiasts. Today the show has grown to one of the largest events in the world. It features over 500 exhibitors, static aircraft from both the civilian and military field, the top names in aerial aerobatics and demonstrations from the military top teams all for a good cause.  This year’s show took place from March 28th through August 2nd and was headlined by the US Navy Blue Angels. No two shows are alike during Sun ‘n Fun, each day provides different entertainers and different aircraft. We attended Saturday’s edition of the Sun ‘n Fun.  Saturday’s show kicked off w...

Lakeland, Florida: You don’t have to travel to Louisiana to experience some delicious New Orleans cuisine. In fact, if you are in north and central Florida, you are never just a short drive away from authentic NOLA food. The owners of Harry’s Seafood bar and Grille have been bringing the tastes of the Big Easy to the Sunshine State since 1987.  From a twenty stool bar in Jacksonville to six locations throughout the state, you are never far away from quality Cajun food. We found Harry’s on a trip to Gainesville last year and have been fans ever since! We make it a point to work a meal at Harry’s into the itinerary every chance we can. We did just that on our recent trip to Lakeland. We were headed up to shoot the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo and made sure to stop at the downtown Lakeland location for lunch before the show.  Lakeland’s location is in the heart of downtown adjacent to Munn Park and feature a full lunch and dinner menu as well as an early bird menu. My favori...

An anhinga shows off his fluffy head feathers along a hiking trail at the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland. While it may look like a bad case of bed head, this messy hair and green coloring around the eyes is actually a breeding plumage for the Anhinga. The anhinga is one of the many birds that you can see at the Circle B, a birding hotspot in Central Florida. (Photo: January 17, 2021)

The US Air Force Heritage Flight is a flying tribute to generations of American air power. Formed on December 6, 2010, the heritage flight travels the country as a living tribute to those who have served and continue to serve. Each performance mixes modern day fighters with fighters from World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War. On this particular heritage flight at the 2020 Holiday Flying Festival in Lakeland, the heritage flight featured the P-51 Mustang, F-16 Fighting Falcon and the newest fighter the F-35 Lightning II. (Photo: December 5, 2020)

The scrub habitats of Florida are a critical part of Florida's ecosystems.  Much like the grasslands of Africa, the scrubs of Florida are  home to many species of animals some of which are threatened.  From the bald eagle nests and scrub jays in the trees to the gopher tortoises and burrowing owls in the ground, this distinct ecosystem plays an important role.  But unfortunately the rapid development of Florida has put these ecosystems in danger and efforts are under way to help preserve some of them through nature preserves like Circle B Bar Reserve pictured here.  (Photo: January 26, 2009)

  A snowy egret tries to stay warm along the banks of the lake at Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, Florida.  Despite having snowy in their name, these small egrets are found in the warmer climates of the southern United States, Central and South America.  Once hunted to almost extinction, they have been protected by the Migratory Bird Treat Act and their populations have rebounded to abundant levels.  (Photo: January 4, 2019)

In a city founded on lakes, its only fitting that its symbol be a waterfowl. Drive any of the lakes in downtown Lakeland and you will find plenty of ducks, geese, swans and wading birds. One spot in particular is Lake Morton Park where people come from all over to see the flock of royal geese that live at the lake. Donated by Queen Elizabeth II, these swans and their offspring have been a centerpiece to the lake for over 60 years. (Photo: January 1, 2019)

The waters of the Circle B Bar Reserve a filled with freshwater fish, attracting fishing birds like this Osprey enjoying a fresh catch.  Located on the shore of Lake Hancock the Circle B is a former cattle ranch that has been revitalized into a renowned wildlife preserve.  The  1,200 plus acre reserve is now a hot spot to watch wildlife and brings thousands of people into Lakeland to see the animals that call the reserve their home.  (Photo: January 1, 2019)