Aviation Training Consultants: 800-874-5346
Aviation Training Consultants: 800-874-5346

Flying Season Starts with the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In!

News > Flying Season Starts with the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In!

Springtime is here, which for many people means the start of airshow season and more flying! The Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In started on Tuesday, April 10th, and the Gleim Aviation team was excited to meet with thousands of pilots and aviation enthusiasts at the event. Sun ‘n Fun concluded on Sunday, April 15th, at the Lakeland Linder Airport (KLAL) in Florida.

Airshows and Aircraft Displays

The attendance seemed much higher than in previous years, despite a rainy start to the event on Tuesday, which packed the indoor exhibits with crowds seeking refuge from the weather. The airshows at Sun ‘n Fun are arguably the biggest draw to the expo. Exciting aerial performances take place daily throughout the festival and spectacular night airshows light up the sky on Wednesday and Saturday evenings. The night show featured the Paradigm Team, a group of pilots flying motorized paragliders that allowed for some impressive aerobatic maneuvers. Appearances by legendary aerobatic performers, such as world champion air racer, Kirby Chambliss, were certainly a sight to see.

Early risers on Saturday watched the balloon launch between 6:30-8:00 a.m. Pilots participating in this launch are part of a unique group of seasoned airshow veterans from around the world. An early start ensured attendees had plenty of time to explore the expo campus and check out the beautiful aircraft entered in the aircraft judging contest. The variety here was fantastic, with painstaking restorations and livery that reminds us of the glory days of private air travel.

Aviation Education

Outside of the airshows, Sun ‘n Fun was a major aviation education event with exhibits, forums, and workshops throughout the expo campus to keep attendees occupied all week. Pilots and mechanics can attend workshops and forums covering anything from avionics and airspace to weather and windshields. The variety of discussions and presentations available guarantees that every visitor to Sun ‘n Fun will learn something new.

Teachers and school administrators looking for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education programs found plenty of resources at the Sun ‘n Fun expo campus, including an Aerospace Educator Workshop on Saturday. Fun and effective space and aviation activities were available to bring back to students. Workshop participants received plenty of supplemental materials and had time to network with other aerospace educators. Visitors to the Gleim Aviation booth learned about our STEM Resource Hub and tools for integrating aviation STEM education into their school’s curriculum.

Test Fly the Gleim Virtual Cockpit!

The new Gleim Virtual Cockpit is an affordable flight simulator solution for VFR and IFR pilots looking to build proficiency and confidence on the flight deck. Flight schools can use the Gleim Virtual Cockpit to enhance training programs and save students time and money. Colleges and schools with STEM programs are building simulation labs to educate safe, competent pilots. Hundreds of visitors stopped by the Gleim Aviation booth to test fly the Gleim Virtual Cockpit and the Gleim X-Plane Flight Training Course!

Throughout the entire expo, Gleim Aviation offered discounts on aviation training with flight simulation, free pilot kit upgrades, online courses, and refresher course bonuses. Deluxe pilot kits have everything you need to get your pilot certificate or rating, and if you upgrade to a deluxe kit during Sun ‘n Fun, we’ll include the Online Ground School for FREE (a $50 value)! Plus, we guarantee that you will pass your FAA Knowledge Exam after studying with the Online Ground School. Additional savings are available for the Flight Instructor Refresher Course, Aviation Maintenance Technician Test Prep online, and Inspection Authorization Renewal Course.

If you missed Sun ‘n Fun, you can still take advantage of our expo pricing on our website through Wednesday April 18, 2018, or call us at 800-874-5346 ext. 471.

Learn more about the Sun ‘n Fun International Fly-In!

About Gleim Aviation

Since 1980, the Gleim Aviation team of pilots, instructors, writers, designers, and programmers has helped aviators pass millions of FAA knowledge and practical tests using the unique Gleim Knowledge Transfer System. Gleim is an environmentally-friendly company headquartered in Gainesville, FL.

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