The Wandering Disciple

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...

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 F-16 Fighting Falcon buzzes the flight line on its take-off roll during a performance by the US Air Force F-16 Viper Demon Team at the 2020 Holiday Flying Festival at Lakeland Linder International Airport. The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a multi-role fighter built by General Dynamics and entered into service for the US Air Force in the late 70's. The aircraft is more commonly known as the viper due to its snake like appearance. In addition to active service by the US Air Force, Air Force Reserves and National Guard, the F-16 also serves as an aggressor aircraft for the US Navy. Its power is showcased as part of two Air Combat Command demo teams, performing a solo act with the F-16 Viper Demo Team and as the team aircraft of the Air Force's premier demonstration team The US Air Force Thunderbirds. (Photo: December 5, 2020)

Many decades of air superiority fly in formation over the skies of Lakeland as part of the US Air Force Heritage Flight demo. This heritage flight featured three generations of air power with the P-51 Mustang, F-16 Fighting Falcon and the F-35 Lightning II. Formed in 1997 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the US Air Force, the heritage flight travels the country and showcases current generation fighters alongside their warbird counterparts in a flying history display of the Air Forces evolution through the years. (Photo: December 5, 2020)

Captain Kristin "Beo" Wolfe shows off the internal payload compartment of the F-35 Lightning II during a performance at the 2020 Holiday Flying Festival and Car Show at Lakeland Linder Airport. The F-35 is a fight generation fighter developed Lockheed Martin for the US Air Force, US Navy and US Marine Corps to replace aging fighter aircraft. The F-35 carries its weapons and payload internally, reducing drag and helping the aircraft reach Mach 1.6 of 1220 miles per hour. The capabilities of the F-35 are demonstrated at air shows across the country by the F-35A Lightning II Demo Team based at Hill Air Force Base. (Photo: December 5, 2020)

When Gene McNeely retired from the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team in 2017 following a 20 plus year career with the team, most thought he would fade off into the retirement life. Nope not Gene, he is still out there dazzling crowds with his amazing performances in the T-6 Texan. But unlike his time with the Aeroshells where he was performing over 30 shows a year and constantly travelling, Gene can be more selective with his shows to make more time for family and relaxation. One of the shows where Gene performed this year was the 2020 Holiday Flying Festival last weekend at Lakeland Linder International Airport. (Photo: December 5, 2020)

A member of the Black Daggers carries the unit's flag into show center of the 2020 Holiday Flying Festival and Car Show at Lakeland Linder International Airport. The Black Daggers are a volunteer unit from the US Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg. The team travels the country to demonstrate the precision needed to drop soldiers in behind enemy lines in the theater of combat. (Photo: December 5, 2020)

Lakeland, Florida:  After seeing the annual Sun 'n Fun Fly-in cancelled because of COVID-19, the skies over Lakeland Linder International Airport came to life with the sound of radial and jet engines as they hosted the Holiday Flying Festival and Car Show.  The show featured all things aviation from hot air balloons to the US Air Force's latest jet fighter and everything in between. The two day event kicked off on Friday with qualifying for the Central Florida Classic Short Takeoff/Landing competition which tested pilots on how little runway they can use to takeoff and land. The car show then kicked off with a parade and display of cars from all classes.  The show then went airborne with an evening show featuring the F-16 Viper Demo Team, the F-35A Lightning II Demo Team, the US Army Black Daggers and Paradigm. Once the show was over, the hot air balloons took center stage with a nighttime balloon glow. Day one of the show ended with a classic holiday movie under the sta...

The iconic Boeing 727 has been a work horse of the aviation world since the 60's.  It saw its first commercial flight in 1964 with Eastern Airlines and served the commercial industry until 2019 when it made its final commercial flight with Iran Aseman Airlines. While it may no longer provided scheduled passenger flights, the 727 still flies strong in the cargo industry.  This 727 is on display at the Florida Air Museum at Lakeland Linder Airport.  (Photo: June 30, 2019)

The military air superiority of the US Navy has never been seen in a more dominating fashion than during a performance of the Blue Angels. The flight demonstration team of the US Navy, the Blue Angels perform before millions to demonstrate the strength and precision of US Navy fighter pilots. While their routine may feel like a show, it is actual a demonstration of the capability and maneuvers used by Navy pilots engaged in hostile missions. (Photo: April 6, 2019)

Flying in formation is not quite as easy as it looks. Planes flying close together with tons of variables can take a smooth formation and make it dangerous in a split second. But the Phillips 66 Aerostars are just one of the many civilian demonstration teams that make it look so easy. Hours and hours of practice are needed to perform at peak level for air show enthusiasts across the globe. (photo: April 6, 2019)

Aerobatic superstar Kyle Franklin pushes his custom designed Demon One aircraft to the limits during Sun ‘n Fun. Part theatrical performance, part fancy flying, full excitement. Franklin’s high-flying performance is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your seat and waiting for the next breathtaking maneuver. (Photo: April 6, 2019)

Julie Clark dazzles the crowd for the final time during her farewell tour in 2019. For over thirty years, Clark has pushed her T-34 to the extremes to entertain air show spectators throughout the country. (Photo: April 6, 2019)

The immortal Red Baron tears up the skies over Lakeland during Sun ‘n Fun. The most famous aviator of all time, the legend of the Red Baron shoots up the sky in a World War I style dog fight through the skies of Lakeland. (Photo: April 6, 2019)

Demonstrating how they would evade an enemy attack by creating chaos and confusions, the Geico Skytypers perform during Sun ‘n Fun. Maneuvering the World War II era aircraft through the sky, the pilots of the Geico Skytypers show how they deploy messages across the sky, a useful tool to spread propaganda during the war. (Photo: April 6, 2019)

US Navy aviators are known for its ability to take the fight to the enemy without needing a runway. That is because the Navy has improvised its attack to use aircraft carriers and specially modified aircraft to accommodate the mission. Launching off a shorter runway, the planes are sent airborne thanks to a catapult system that helps the planes achieve flight. Then when it comes time to return to the carrier, the plane deploys a tailhook that catches a catch wire and safely retrieves the aircraft. The Navy showcases this technology as part of their Navy Legacy Flight like the one performed here at Sun ‘n Fun featuring the T-2 Buckeye and the T-45 Goshawk. (Photo: April 6, 2019)

Showcasing the history and power of the Class of 45, Jim Tobul and Scooter Yoak fly these amazing warbirds before airshow crowds across the country. The P-51 Mustang flown by Yoak is an iconic World War II fighter that was used to dogfight the Luwftwaffe over the European skies. And if this was a family, while the P-51 was dominating the skies of Europe, the little brother F4U Corsair was watching closely and saw its dominance in the jungles of Korea. (Photo: April 6, 2019)

Mike Goulian hit the 2019 air show circuit sporting a new paint scheme on his Extra 330. Goulian spends his time tearing up the skies on the air show circuit and demonstrating his speed in the Red Bull Air Races. (Photo: April 6, 2019)

A Skyraider buzzes the enemy positions to provide cover while the rest of the forces help to retrieve an injured soldier. In an effort to showcase the work that goes into rescuing a missing or injured soldier, the Cavanaugh Flight Museum demonstrated a Vietnam era search and rescue for the crowds at Sun 'n Fun. Using a little fleet of air resources including a C-7 Caribou, O-2 Skymaster, UH-1 Iroqouis and two Skyraider variants, the showed the tasks at hand to ensure that everyone goes home. (Photo: April 6, 2019)

Watch the colors transform before your very eyes as Bill Stein goes across the sky from left to right. Bill's Edge 540 is just as exciting as his aerial performance. The special paint scheme on the aircraft changes colors depending on the angle you are viewing the plane, making it feel like it is transforming right before your very eyes. (Photo: April 6, 2019)