Latest news with #LakelandLinderInternationalAirport
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Six new swans to join Lake Morton flock to introduce new genetics
The Brief Lakeland will welcome six new swans to Lake Morton. They are white mute swans that were bought from a breeder in the Chicago area. Queen Elizabeth donated the current flock, marking the first time in 50 years that new swans will be added to the lake. LAKELAND, Fla. - Six new swans will call Lake Morton home, so the current flock, who descended from royal swans in England, can stay healthy and resilient. The City of Lakeland bought six white mute swans from a reputable breeder in the Chicago area; however, the cost of shipping the swans was too much. When learning about the issue at Sun n' Fun, a local pilot, Mike Araldi, stepped up to volunteer. What they're saying "He's an aviation enthusiast, and he said, 'I'll fly the birds for free,' so we're really blessed to have members of the community who are so giving like that," said Lakeland Spokesperson Kevin Cook. The birds arrived at Lakeland Linder International Airport on Monday and are now in quarantine on the south side of the lake. It's the first time since 1957 that swans were flown into the city as gifts from Queen Elizabeth. Dr. Price Dickson is the swans' veterinarian at My Pets Animal Hospital. She says there has been a higher rate of chick mortality, which she's concerned may be caused by inbreeding. So, the swans were flown in to diversify the gene pool of the flock. "There are different resistances to diseases, to genetic malformations that different populations carry, so bringing in new genetics will help the swans have healthier babies that grow up and are on the lake for many years," Dickson said. "The swans are really part of the mosaic and fabric of Lakeland," said Cook. "It's a rite of passage to have families come down and feed the birds." After getting a full check-up, the swans are expected to be released by next week. The Source FOX 13's Carla Bayron collected the information in this story. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS LIVE: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Sun 'n Fun opens for 51st annual show in Lakeland
The Brief The 51st annual Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo officially opened at Lakeland Linder International Airport. The event is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of aviation enthusiasts to Lakeland over the next week. The expo is also about inspiring the next generation and generating careers in aviation. LAKELAND, Fla. - It's Opening Day at Sun 'n Fun! The 51st edition of the annual event will draw hundreds of thousands of aviation enthusiasts to the Swan City over the next week. What they're saying Pivotal, a light aircraft manufacturer based in California, designed what they're calling the world's first electric vertical take-off and landing ultra-light aircraft. It's their first time at the 51st Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo at Lakeland Linder International Airport. RELATED:How Lakeland Linder Airport balances Sun 'n Fun, passengers and cargo service "We've got a number of flights we're doing, including at 7 p.m. and virtual reality we use for flight training, and we give people demos in our simulators," said Greg Kerr, Pivotal's director of product marketing. They're one of many companies in the "Future and Flight Plaza" showcasing the latest innovation and technology in aviation. "Wing Aviation is actually the leading commercial and drone delivery company in the United States," said Tom Kuhn, the head of communications at Wing Aviation. Follow FOX 13 on YouTube Need over-the-counter medication, groceries, or Door Dash meals right at your front door? Wing Aviation operates with Walmart and Door Dash out of Dallas-Fort Worth and makes hundreds of deliveries a day within six miles of a store. "In the areas we have been operating, people love it, and they find use for it and are ordering multiple times a week," said Kuhn. "Because it fits well in their day-to-day and how they operate, you'll see more and more of it as we're able to scale and be in more places." Dig deeper The expo is also about inspiring the next generation and generating careers in aviation. ATP Daytona's flight school in Jacksonville is one of the largest in the nation and specializes in people flying commercial airlines or private jets. READ:Plane passengers will soon scroll the internet for free after airline gets green light "From a personal level, I think flying is the coolest profession in the world and I wouldn't want to do anything else," said Graham Purvis, the managing flight instructor. "The fact that I can give my excitement and energy to someone else and have them pursue their dreams. A lot of people think I can't become a pilot – yes you can." For Pivotal, it's about sharing their passion and excitement, and showing guests what's possible. "These are sophisticated aircraft, and a lot of computing is involved," said Kerr. "That's a lot of what we'll see in the future. A lot of simplified control systems and all sorts of new configurations of aircraft and electric of course." Local perspective The event also features daily air shows, night air shows, an opening night concert and hands-on activities for kids. It is a major fundraiser for the Aerospace Center For Excellence, which involves the Youth Education Programs. More than 200,000 people from 50 countries are expected to attend and more than 1,000 airplanes are expected to fly in and out of Sun 'n Fun throughout the week. The event lasts until Sunday, April 6. The Source The information in this story was gathered from different companies at this year's Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo. WATCH FOX 13 NEWS: STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app:Apple |Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Going to Sun 'n Fun for the first time? Here are some tips for the best experience
There are military jets flying overhead, thousands of people and planes as far as the eye can see at the 51st annual Sun 'N Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland this week. From April 1 to 6, thousands of aviation enthusiasts descend on the grounds of Lakeland Linder International Airport. For the uninitiated who might be able to tell the difference between a passenger jet and a helicopter, it can feel a little bit intimidating. The purpose of Sun 'N Fun is to serve as annual fundraiser for the Aerospace Center for Excellence, commonly called ACE, whose missing is to engage, education and accelerate the next generation of aerospace professionals. It's aimed at being child- and family-friendly. The Ledger compiled this list of tricks and tips to help you get the most out of your visit to Sun 'n Fun this year: Sun 'N Fun is working harder than ever to make sure that it's affordable for the average family to attend. This year, children ages 12 and younger are free to attend. Two years ago, free admission was capped at age 6. Tickets for youth ages 13 to 17 are $20 for a single day versus adults at $50. Florida residents looking to make the most of the expo's weekend events can purchase Florida resident weekend special tickets. For the same price as a one-day ticket, $50 per adult and $20 for youth, the weekend special allows admission both Saturday and Sunday. For those looking to see the Nighttime Airshow Spectacular on Wednesday and Saturday nights, there's an After 5 ticket available at the gate for $20 per person ages 13 and older. To purchase tickets in advance, go to No driver wants to sit in a long line to pay for parking then find a space at an event. Sun 'N Fun's website offers a discount to drivers who purchase their parking online. Buying your parking pass online is $12 per day, versus $20 at the gate. A weekly parking pass is $60 online, $80 at the gate. To purchase parking passes online, go to Set your GPS for 3875 Pipkin Road to get directed to the lot. The expo is held on the grounds of Lakeland Linder International Airport: a large, flat grassy field with tarmac taxiways. Exhibitors, activities, displays and vendors cover more than 200 acres. Here are a few things on our recommended packing list: Wear a comfortable, well broken-in pair of sneakers for walking. You'll do a lot of it. Slather on the sunscreen and bring the bottle to reapply. Wear a hat of your choice and a pair of sunglasses. The sun can be harsh and bright, even brighter when reflecting off metal from a row of parked planes. Or daunting when looking up to watch the daily afternoon airshow. Pack a refillable water bottle. Water fountains and stations can be found across the grounds. Consider bringing a camp chair to sit in and watch the afternoon airshow if not purchasing preferred seating. It's four hours long. Small wagons are permitted if you need one to help carry your chairs. Despite your best intentions, it can be easy to leave an essential item at home. For those already at the expo, Sun 'N Fun's Island Store near The Island offers personal hygiene items for sale, including sunscreen, Chapstick, paper plates and assorted beverages, hot and cold. There are certain items that are prohibited at the Sun 'N Fun Aerospace Expo to ensure the safety and comfort of all guests. According to Sun 'n Fun's website, make sure you don't bring: No pets are permitted at the fly-in expo or airside. Qualified service animals are allowed on leashes. E-bikes are not allowed on site. Bicycles are allowed in the campground area only. No rollerblades, roller skates, skateboards, hoverboards, Segways or other self-propelled transportation devices are allowed. Single-person electric handicapped convenience vehicles, such as motorized wheelchairs, are allowed when operated in safe manner. Leave coolers at home, unless you are camping. Coolers are restricted to the campground area and may be subject to search at any time. No offsite food and drinks, except for those staying in the campground area. For a more extensive list, visit Sun 'n Fun's FAQ for attendees at Spending hours in the Florida sun on an airfield, it can be easy to get hot, sweaty and potentially overheated. There are plenty of locations around the Sun 'N Fun to get a moment of relief from the heat: The Florida Air Museum is open daily from from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Duck inside the air-conditioned building and check out the exhibits. There are several oases and welcome areas set up throughout the expo to allow visitors to sit down, get out of the sun and rest. There's the Family Oasis set up specially for families with young children, open daily starting at 9 a.m. There are comfort stations, nursing areas, picnic tables and an area with air conditioning. There are other oases around for adults, including the International Oasis for attendees from overseas. There's also a Pilot Welcome Tent near The Island and a Veterans Welcome Tent near Veterans Plaza. The Island, located in the heart of the aircraft camping areas, offers a variety of vendors providing breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and snacks. There are also restrooms and plenty of places to sit in the shade or near large fans. New this year is The Sandbar, a spot near the light planes in Paradise City, that has a shaded tent area, picnic tables and benches to sit down and get off your feet for a bit. Better yet, sound from the daily airshows will be broadcast so you can watch from a distance. Everyone's excited to see the U.S. Navy's Blue Angels return to Sun 'n Fun this year. The Blue Angels will arrive on Thursday morning. The Blue Angels will practice Thursday afternoon, a practice run-through of their show visible to all Sun 'n Fun attendees. The U.S. Navy will bring its F-35C Lightning II demonstration team out to Sun 'n Fun for the first time this year, and they will appear for the first time Thursday afternoon alongside the Blue Angels and the Navy's EA-18G Growlers two-ship team. The Blue Angels will appear in Friday and Saturday afternoon airshows, but don't show up on Saturday night hoping to see them in action. The Blue Angels squadron members will engage with Sun 'n Fun attendees on Saturday night from 7:30 to 8 p.m. in a short presentation at The Hangar. They are not scheduled to fly in Saturday's night airshow. This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Insider's guide to 2025 Sun 'n Fun: Tips for attending Lakeland's expo
