Your Guide to the 2023 Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo: Blue Angels, Top Gun and more

Sara-Megan Walsh, The Ledger
·8 min read
Lt. Commander Thomas Zimmerman and Lt. Commander Brian Vaught of the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels do a flyby in their Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet during a visit to the Lakeland Linder International Airport in December to talk about what's in store for the 2023 Sun 'N Fun Expo. The Blue Angels will perform in their Super Hornets for the second time at Sun 'n Fun. They'll arrive and practice on Thursday in preparation for a Saturday performance.
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LAKELAND — As the 2023 Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo approaches, visitors can easily be overwhelmed as one of the nation's largest airshows sprawls across nearly 200 acres adjacent to Lakeland Linder International Airport.

Gene Conrad, CEO and president of the Aerospace Center for Excellence, gave The Ledger his rundown of some of this year's highlights from rare planes to fan favorites.

The U.S. Navy's Blue Angels are back for 2023, performing in their Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornets for the second time in Lakeland. The Blue Angels will arrive Thursday morning with practices on Thursday to prepare for the main show Saturday afternoon.

Conrad said he's excited to have the military bring all three versions of the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II to fly in the afternoon airshows. The U.S. Air Force will bring the A version and a demo team, U.S. Marine Corps will bring a B version known for a short take off and the ability to vertically land, and the the U.S. Navy will present the C variant of the fighter jet.

"It's the first air show in the United States, including military shows, that all three will be flying in," he said. "It’s going to be amazing. I've seen the A, never seen B, seen a C [variant] — to have all three variants flying in the same show is amazing."

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Among those planes on display will be a C-5 Super Galaxy, the largest aircraft flown by the U.S. military, according to Conrad. It's a strategic transport aircraft whose primary mission is to transport cargo and personnel for the Department of Defense, according to the U.S. Air Force's website.

The F-22 Raptor cruises alongside a World War II-era P-51 Mustang during the Heritage Flight at the Friday afternoon airshow at Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland on April 16, 2021.
The F-22 Raptor cruises alongside a World War II-era P-51 Mustang during the Heritage Flight at the Friday afternoon airshow at Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland on April 16, 2021.

"It will be the largest plane to ever land at Lakeland Linder airport," Conrad said.

For fans of the movie "Top Gun," Sun 'n Fun will have a Grumman F-14 Tomcat on display along with a Tom Cruise impersonator that attendees are invited to take photos with. There will be a Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet cockpit located near the F-14, as that was the main fighter jet that was used in 2022 movie "Top Gun: Maverick."There's plenty to do at the expo, whether day or night. Here's a brief rundown of the highlights:

Daily Events

  • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Junior ACES Youth Workshops (with closures for field trips)

  • 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.: Career Fair at South East Exhibits

  • 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.: Florida Air Museum open

  • 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.: Piedmont Aerospace Experience of the Boeing 727

  • 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Fly-by Showcase featuring various planes

  • 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Corn Roast

Guests get a close look at a Navy F-4U Corsair World War II-era fighter aircraft at the 48th annual Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland in 2022.
Guests get a close look at a Navy F-4U Corsair World War II-era fighter aircraft at the 48th annual Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland in 2022.

Highlights by Day

TUESDAY, MARCH 28

  • 9 a.m.: Forum "The Smartest Way to FAA Pilot Certification" at CFAA-04.

  • 10:30 a.m. Innovation Preview at the ACE Pavilion.

  • 10 a.m. Aircraft Buying 101: Things to Consider forum by Scott Sky Smith at CFAA-06.

  • 1 p.m.: Forum "How much does it really cost to own an aircraft" at CFAA-06.

  • 5 p.m. Exhibitor Welcome Reception.

  • 7 - 8:30 p.m. Sunset Aerial Circus at Light Planes/Paradise City.

  • 7 p.m. Thunderbird & Blue Angels at the E3 Aviation Campground.

  • 7:45 to 10 p.m.: Movie "The Final Countdown" at Ace's Flyin' Flix Pavilion at the museum.

  • 7:45 to 10 p.m.: Movie "Top Gun" at The Island.

The B-25 "Panchito" taxis off the runway during the daily airshow at the 47th Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo at Lakeland Linder International Airport in Lakeland in 2021.
The B-25 "Panchito" taxis off the runway during the daily airshow at the 47th Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo at Lakeland Linder International Airport in Lakeland in 2021.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 29

  • 9 a.m.: Forum "The Future of STEM in Aeronautics Education" by Greg Roark in CFAA-12.

  • 10 a.m.: Solid Edge Start-up Program Overview for Sun 'n Fun Enthusiasts at the South East Exhibits.

  • 11 a.m.: Shoot to Win - Speakers share tips on how to take winning photos, how to take great photos during airshows and air-to-air photographer at the Florida Air Museum.

  • 1 p.m.: Forum "Pilot Shortage: Women are 50% of the solution" by Sandrine Gressard at CFAA-03.

  • 7:15 to 9:15 p.m.: Night Airshow with pyrotechnics.

  • 7:45 to 10 p.m.: Movie "The Rocketeer" at Ace's Flying Flix pavilion at the museum.

THURSDAY, MARCH 30

  • 9 a.m.: Forum "Where passion meets purpose" featuring Jessica Ames.

  • 10 a.m.: Forum "Straight talk about aviation safety" with John and Martha King at the FAA Safety Center.

  • 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The Bash Fundraising Event, a special fundraising dinner for ACE. Separate tickets must be purchased starting at $135 a person, $250 a couple.

  • 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunset Aerial Circus at Light Planes/Paradise City.

  • 7:45 to 10 p.m.: Movie "Iron Eagle" at The Island.

  • 7:45 to 10 p.m.: Movie "Tora, Tora, Tora" at Ace's Flyin' Flix pavilion at the museum.

FRIDAY, MARCH 31

  • 9 a.m.: Forum "How to improve your flying immensely" with David St. George at CFAA-10.

  • 10 a.m.: Forum: "Selecting the best airpark for living with your airplane with Penny Bowman at CFAA-14.

  • 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Victory's Arsenal Theatre in Warbird Country.

  • Noon: U.S. Navy Blue Angels Student Presentation at the Lakeland Aeroclub Hangar.

  • Noon: Forum" Aeronautics in K-12 Education The Big Payoff" by Greg Roark in CFAA-11.

  • 3 to 4 p.m.: Forum "Commercial UAS (drone) operations" by Paul Herrera in Paradise City.

  • 6:30 to 10 p.m.: Members 'Hang out" - Managing your tanks with Matt Hooper at the E3 Aviation Campground.

  • 7 to 8:30 p.m. Sunset Aerial Circus at Light Planes/Paradise City.

  • 7:45 to 10 p.m.: Movie "Hot shots" at The Island.

  • 7:45 to 10 p.m. Movie Disney's "Planes" at Ace's Flyin' Flix pavilion at the museum.

  • 8 to 8:45 p.m. Hot Air Balloon Glow (weather permitting).

Sun 'n Fun's annual hot air balloon launch will take place Saturday, April 1.
Sun 'n Fun's annual hot air balloon launch will take place Saturday, April 1.

SATURDAY, APRIL 1

  • 6 to 8 a.m. Mass Hot Air Balloon Launch.

  • 7 a.m.: Lakeland Linder's Sun 'n Fun 5K.

  • 10 a.m.: Presentation "Traveling with your firearms" by Adam Paincahud at E3 Aviation Chalet.

  • 11 a.m.: Talk and Meet and Greet with Michael Goulian at the E3 Aviation Chalet.

  • 7:15 to 9:15 p.m.: Saturday night airshow.

  • 7:45 to 9:15 p.m.: Movie "One Six Right" at Ace's Flyin' Flix pavilion at the museum.

SUNDAY, APRIL 2

  • 7:30 to 8 a.m. Volunteer Parade starting at the FAA Safety Center.

  • 11 a.m. to noon: Sun 'n Fun wrap up at the E3 Aviation Chalet.

  • 11:30 to 12:30 p.m.: Victory's Arsenal Theatre in Warbird Country.

Daily Air show Line-up

TUESDAYNational anthem, U.S. Special Operations Commands ParacommandosAeroshell Aerobatic TeamRob HollandHight Flight Mustangs, Lou Herschel and Ariel LoudiWarbird showKyle FowlerRacer Jet team, Scott Farnsworth and Jerry "Jive" KerbyNathan HammondBill SteinU.S. Air Force F-35A demo team

WEDNESDAY

National anthem, U.S. Special Operations Commands ParacommandosRob HollandDoug RozendaalPatty WagstaffLee LauderbackWarbird showLarry KelleyRacers jet team, Scott Farnswroth and Jerry "Jive" KerbyGreg KoontzKevin ColemanJim PeitzKyle FranklinMichael GoulianWEDNESDAY NIGHT

National anthem, U.S. Special Operations Command paracommandosU.S. Air Force F-35A demo teamAeroshell aerobatic teamJerry KerbyKyle FowlerRedline AirshowsNathan HammondPyromusical featuring pyrotechnics

Michael Goulian performs in the Extra 300 in the daily afternoon airshow at Sun 'n Fun in 2021.
Michael Goulian performs in the Extra 300 in the daily afternoon airshow at Sun 'n Fun in 2021.

THURSDAY

U.S. Navy's Blue Angels Jets 1 to 4 circlesU.S. Navy's Blue Angels Jets 5 and 6, circlesNational anthem, U.S. Special Operations Commands U.S. Air Force's F-35A demo teamU.S. Navy's Blue Angels practice demonstration

FRIDAY

National anthem with U.S. Special Operations Command paracommandosAeroshell aerobatic teamMichael GoulianWarbird showJim PeitzDoug RozendaalPatty WagstaffU.S. Marine Corp's F-35B demo teamU.S. Navy's Blue AngelsSATURDAY

National anthem, SOCOM paracommandosKevin ColemanKyle FranklinJim PeitzLee LauderbackWarbird showU.S. Air Force's F-35A demo teamU.S. Marine Corps' F-35B demo teamMichael GoulianU.S. Navy's Blue Angels

SATURDAY NIGHT

National anthem with SOCOM paracommandosAeroshellMandfred RadiusJerry KerbyKyle FowlerRedline AirshowsNathan HammondPyromusical featuring fireworks

SUNDAY

National Anthem with SOCOM paracommandosBill SteinGreg KoontzLarry KelleyHigh Light Mustangs, Lou Herschel and Ariel LoudiU.S. Air Force's F-35A demo teamU.S. Marine Corps F-35B demo teamU.S. Navy's Blue Angels

What's a ticket cost?

A daily admission ticket will cost $45 for adults, $20 for youth ages 11 to 17, and children age 10 and younger are free. A weekly expo ticket costs $170 for adults, $70 for youth. There is a Florida residents special that allows locals access on Saturday and Sunday for $45 per adult, $20 for youth. There are no refunds for tickets purchased in advance. Visitors arriving after 5 p.m. can purchase a $10 daily ticket at the gate, which is not available online.

For more information, visit the expo's website at flysnf.org, call 863-644-2431 or email fly-info@flysnf.org.

Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on Twitter @SaraWalshFl.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Blue Angels, F-35's, new kids events. Highlights of 2023 Sun 'n Fun