Sun-n-Fun info?

Gene & Becky McPherson will be flying into and staying at Kissimmee.

Will give the "other Mouse" some of our money then visit SNF Thursday and Friday.

See you there.

Gene
 
My friend and I have been flying down to Sun & Fun for the past fifteen years (from Massachusetts in a Cardinal 177A) and for the last ten we have found the best deal is to rent a trailer and stay at Lakeland. We use Florida RV Sales as the trailer rental and the cost is reasonable...$500+ for a week with the trailer and $200 +/- for the site on the airport. Staying at the airport is a more complete airshow experience.
 
OK, you guys are making me nervous. I just agreed to make the trip with a group from my local airport (KOVO) in Indiana, and they always fly into Lakeland and camp.

Is it that big of a hassle flying into Lakeland?

Has anyone camped at Sun n Fun, and have any thoughts to share about it?

Hoping for clear weather and mild temperatures.

Dave
 
All those going..

1. If you are planning on flying in to Lakeland between April 15 to 23, please read the Sun 'n Fun NOTAM available at http://www.faa.gov/NTAP/sunnfun.pdf

2. After reading the NOTAM if you would like a free pocket-sized reference booklet for Lakeland Linder (LAL), surrounding airports and other useful flight information --just the right size for the cockpit-- contact Sun 'n Fun by e:mail at [email protected] . Ask for the Sun 'n Fun Quick Reference Book.

Doug
 
Dave, it really isn't a hassle flying into Sun-N-Fun. The basic instructions are simple. You must know the place, speed, and altitude to join the mix. You monitor the frequency, and do what they say (Green on white Musketeer, follow the orange Cherokee. Wag your wings to acknowledge'). You do not talk on the frequency unless you have a real emergency. If you arrive at a busy time, you will be close to a lot of other airplanes. If everyone is paying attention, it's no big deal as you are all going the same way. There are guys in the SnF tower watching everyone with binoculars. If someone is going too fast or too slow, or is out of place, they will receive instructions. The instructions may include 'Orange Cherokee, break right and return to the stacks'. You will most likely be landing on the 60' wide parallel taxiway; the main runway gets reserved for heavier iron and emergencies.

You may be landing two or three in simultaneous trail: 'Orange Cherokee, land on the last third; Green on white Musketeer, land on the center third'; tan high-wing, land on the first third'. If you aren't comfortable with making spot landings and being close to other airplanes, then arrive very early, or just before the afternoon airshow closes the field; or save landing at SnF (or Oshkosh) for when you feel better about it.
NOTE! I read the SnF info, and I see they have displaced the threshold on both the taxiway (which has been widened to 75 feet), and the runway. They say there will be a colored spot (orange or green) you will be told to land on (on the taxiway). Sounds to me like they have had one too many cases of one plane landing on top of another (which has happened on many or most years), and have scaled back simultaneous landing operations.

You must be prepared for ground handling. That includes watching the flagmen for turnoff instructions, and doing what they say right away (there will be planes behind you). It also includes having a big sign to hold up in the windshield that says "AIRCRAFT CAMPING", or you'll wind up being sent to the wrong end. General parking is on the East end, while the camping is on the West end.

Aircraft camping facilities are great. You'll be right under the arrival end on most days (Easterly winds), and under portions of the daily airshow and most of the fly-bys. Good showers and Portolets; camping store; transportation; etc. But you will be in the sun all day, unless you wangle a spot in the wooded area on the North edge of the camping area. I'm not sure how they wangle that; maybe they just taxi there and no one runs them off. Many people erect shade facilities over part of their plane; especially the high-wing drivers. If you are a drive-in camper, and you get there early, there is a lot of shaded camping in the main campground. There will be a nice breeze on most days. The last two years had terrific weather. It may be warmer this year; it has been a warm Spring in the Southeast, and SnF is in the second half of April rather than the first half. FBO fuel trucks make regular rounds in the aircraft camping area.

As mentioned in Doug's post, there is a ton of info on the SnF website; and you can request the brochure. If memory serves, it even includes the windshield signs (AIRCRAFT CAMPING; FUEL NEEDED; CLASSIC PARKING; GENERAL PARKING; etc.).

There are only two reasons why I quit flying into SnF many years ago. The first is the hassle with rental cars. You can pick them up on the field out by the main entrance, but you can't get them anywhere near your plane. The second major issue, for me, is the grit that gets into every inch of every hinge, bearing, and bushing on the plane. I am usually there for many days. After the plane has been parked for a few days, with everyone and their sister taxiing around, flightline ride tractor tours, fuel trucks, etc. stirring up the dirt, it sifts into everything. It would take me months to get the grit out of everything; just wasn't worth it to me. It isn't too bad if you are just in and out; and it isn't as bad in Aircraft Camping as it is in the general parking area. The camping areas are usually pretty grassy (mowed), but the travel routes start showing wear pretty quickly. They do have water sprayers that ride around each morning after dry days, but the water dries up within an hour or two. Better than nothing, but....
 
Thanks for the replies. I have read and printed out the NOTAM, and I will email for the package right now, with hopes that it arrives in time.

The guys I'm going with have been there before, but I haven't had a chance to discuss the particulars with them.

We will be arriving on Sunday or Monday before it begins, and leaving mid-week.

Thanks again.

Dave
 
I have consolidated several posts, to get everything back in one place (and back down to two pages).

Doug Muse- For all those going down, we have where you are staying
(which side), but now we need to know dates. We need to have a BAC
dinner for the night when most are down there.

Please copy & paste with attendance dates:

Doug Muse 18th to 21st
Gene McPherson 19th & 20th
Tom Corcoran 18th & 20th (My vote Friday AOPA Day)
John Amundsen 17th thru 22nd
Mike Rellihan, 15th through 24th

Please copy & paste with lodging location:

Paul Werbin is staying in Brandon.
Tom Corcoran is staying in Clearwater Beach.
Mike Rellihan is staying near Lake Parker (see prior topic post)
Dr Bill Heybruck is staying in Brandenton
Doug Muse will be near Vandenberg
Kerry Muller expects to stay at Bay Lake
Gene McPherson will be staying in Kissimmee

Please copy & paste with cell numbers, for assistance or gatherings.
Paul Werbin thought that since a lot of us are flying down to sun n fun around the same time it might be usefull to have cellphone #s that might come in handy in case of stranding, breakdowns etc. It might save someone a long rental car ride home in the event of problems.
If you are heading down and might be willing to help out another BACer in an emergency, add your number to the list.

Paul Werbin Virginia (757) 287-4828
Mike Rellihan (864) 981-0673
Gene McPherson (870)904-9319
Doug Muse (706) 317-3227
Tom Corcoran (781) 801-6869
John Amundsen (863) 327-6880
Jonathan Amundsen (863) 412-7865
--John and Jonathan both live in Winter Haven. 12 miles from Lakeland. Jonathan runs the maintenance shop at Winter Haven--
 
Bump! Sunny B will be airborne by 0815 EDT, headed to Winter Haven for Sun-N-Fun! He is all loaded and fully fueled!

DUAT says 4 hours and eight minutes. IFR flight plan on file.

Weather maps say stay in bed or eat hail for breakfast.

May wind up having to drive 12 hours.

But I'm going one way or another. Plenty of Red Bull for the cooler, lots of room in the Explorer.

Well, took off at about 0955 EDT. Flight down wasn't too bad; up through a layer, on top at 8,000 all the way down, back through a layer for about 70 miles N of Lakeland. Broke out at 1,800 and canceled.

Did I mention Wind? And more WIND? Good God. I never got above 85 knots GS until I passed Jacksonville, FL, and I was truing 135 the whole time. 35 degrees crosswind crab enroute. I ran the numbers at about the FL-GA line, and came up with a wind from 270 at 80 knots; effective headwind of 50 knots due to the course line and the extreme crab correction required. Then, to add insult to injury, I got about a 30 knot tailwind when I broke out at 1,800 about 10 miles N of Winter Haven. The wind gods have been testing my patience all year ( and the year is still young). 4+ hour flight.

I have the usual list of 'forgets'. One of them was my SnF boots. That's gonna crimp my foot travel for sure. Of course, it had to be Paula's fault. I put them by the door on Saturday night so I wouldn't forget them. Paula put them away after I went to bed. Just goes to shoe ya :wink: .

There are three chairs cabled to the big OAK tree (emphasis for Corcoran). I'll try to find one or two more cheap ones to add on the cable. The BAC mini-banners are on the Type Club Tent banner board, out in front. The tent wasn't set up yet, so our table items are not out. Far too windy to leave them there today anyway.

I'll be heading back in tomorrow around mid-morning, to try for the volunteer passes and to get the TCT table items set out.

Met John Amundsen and son Jonathan; great guys! They found a covered home for Sunny B during his stay. They run a flight training and maintenance operation there at Winter Haven.

The originally-reserved hotel was a total bust. Long story, but I'm not staying there. I am at the Bast Hotel on Hwy 92, about a block East of Florida Ave. PH 863-683-5961, room 111. Show week rate is $89.95, and they still have vacancies.

Hope to see more of you soon!
 
"The Plan" calls for wheels up at 7:00am. However, "the best laid plans....." It looks like there is rough weather at one rest stop and at the final destination at our projected times of arrival. I will look to see if starting later in the day will solve this or perhaps will delay leaving until Monday morning. Will let you know.


Gene McPherson
 
And fighting a pretty strong headwind the first 2 hours. I might have tried to make it down this year (I have relatives in Tampa that would provide further incentive), but the plane is in for it's fourth (with me) annual. Wish all the Sun&Funners much Fun and... well, why not... some Sun too. :)
 
well I am stranded in Nassau, bahamas. Might not make it Tuesday. I turned on my battery master. worked fine for prime. Then went dead. nothing at all seems to come alive when I turn on master. Any ideas are welcome.
 
Paul,

Does your battery take a charge? I had this happen over New Years and my alternator was bad. Battery would take a charge then die quickly.

Doug
 
Paul is at Sun-N-Fun.

I have weekly passes worth $90 each (EAA member price; $150 each for non-EAA'ers), for each of the seven people (in addition to me) who volunteered to work the BAC table in the Type Club tent. Unfortunately, I had to buy mine, to get in to start with. Paul has his, and John Amundsen will get his tomorrow. Table volunteers, call me on my cell for a meeting point and time, to get yours. 864-981-0673. If you won't make it at all, please let me know ASAP.
 
Does BAC have a booth or a gathering point at the event? I am in the market now for a sundowner, have seen plenty from the outside, never sat in one and was thinking this was a good place to go to do some research.
 
mcdgi said:
Does BAC have a booth or a gathering point at the event? I am in the market now for a sundowner, have seen plenty from the outside, never sat in one and was thinking this was a good place to go to do some research.
Click to expand...

Oops, just found out that BAC will, look for you all there.
 
If you can come over to KGIF Winter Haven while you are at S-N-F you can see my Sundowner. we're 12 miiles away.Let me know when you would come as its a working plane. Its our IFR trainer.

John Amundsen
C23
Winter Haven
 
Dr Bill is staying in Brandon 4 mi from I75/I4 interchange off MLK. My Sundowner is at Vandenberg.. If this is convenient give me a ring. my cell 704-904-4706.
Flight down was smooth and clear at 6000 (from CLT to just S of Savannah). Doing 120kts GS. Then I hit something.. I'll call it a pothole or wall of air. Dropped 600 ft in less than 30 sec. even with full power and up elevator. ATC called and asked if I had a problem... 30 sec later it was gone. A smaller one occurred 3-4 mins later. That was it!. Stopped for fuel and continued on at 5000 to Vandenberg into a headwind. Left CLT at 0800 arrived at 1330 with the stop.
Lots of reports of mod turbulence at 8K and above.
Dr Bill
N9230S
76 Sundowner
With new donuts.. what nice soft landings !!
 
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