Sun n Fun here I come

papakeith · Post by **papakeith** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:30 am

I'll be leaving my house tomorrow morning around 2:00am to catch a 5:00am flight to florida. Then I begin a whirlwind tour of Sun n Fun!

I'm all antsy with anticipation. Can't wait to get down there.

Any words of wisdom for a first timer?

Post by **Spike** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:34 am

Have fun, and dont rush. Enjoy the experience, see what you want to
see, ignore
the rest, and take pictures!! Use the time as a chance to talk to builders of
the model you are considering, look at the planes, and learn.

-- John

> I'll be leaving my house tomorrow morning around 2:00am to catch a
> 5:00am flight to florida. Then I begin a whirlwind tour of Sun n Fun!
>
> I'm all antsy with anticipation. Can't wait to get down there.
>
> Any words of wisdom for a first timer?

Submitted via email

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:51 am

wear a hat! plenty of sun, plenty of fun, plenty hot!! it's supposed to be in the upper 80's now through the weekend with sunshine through friday.

my other suggestion would be to see the vendors during the airshow. i'm not real big on the airshow part, so i usually find the best time to get some good quality time and answers from the vendors is during the afternoon airshow!

papakeith · Post by **papakeith** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:05 pm

thanks for the suggestions
hopefully I won't forget anything

Hat....................................check
rivetbangers.com t shirt.......check

sun screen..........................check
digicam w/lots o memory..... check

I've got a tour guide of sorts. RV6junkie is going to help show me around when he's not busy working.

captain_john · Post by **captain_john** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 2:42 pm

Sounds like you have it pretty well covered!

Now all you hafta do is have fun!!!

CJ

aparchment · Post by **aparchment** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:16 pm

I have only been to Sun 'n Fun once. It was before I decided to build an RV. I compared the various designs that interested me. At the time I was looking at the Lancair Legacy, Lancair ES, Velocity, Express and Cozy Mk IV. I had only seen two of these planes in person before, so Sun 'n Fun was a good opportunity to compare things like roominess, kit quality and to get a sense for the companies with which I was going to work.

I also pre-arranged test flights. That was probably the best experience of the show for me. I got to fly the Lancair ES. It is a dream machine. If my wife shared my love of flying that would have been my choice.

I spoke to builders to see what their experiences were with the build and the company.

I took a lot of pics of planes, options and paint jobs that interested me.

Finally I just enjoyed all of the cool exhibits.

Have fun Keith. Enjoy the sun. Man I can't believe it is snowing now. It was in the high 50s this morning!

Antony

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Wed Apr 05, 2006 9:28 pm

keith, and anyone else that is still on the forum but heading to SNF...

jim pappas and i and our wives are meeting at margaritaville at 6pm on friday night. everyone is welcome to meet us their!

hope you can make it!

papakeith · Post by **papakeith** » Sat Apr 08, 2006 7:43 pm

I'm home.

Waaaaaay too much to digest on such a tight schedule. I'm very tired, but I had a great time!

More later when I'm more rested.

aerial · Post by **aerial** » Sun Apr 09, 2006 9:32 am

Made it to Sun 'n' Fun. They were supposed to have internet access available all week but it wasn't up every time I checked until today. It's been a great airshow, I think you can actually see more than Oshkosh because it's smaller......but you never seem to see or do everything you want. There are a lot of great forums. A lot of great people to talk too. Going for a ride in a Sikorsky today. Superior has a IO-400 kit coming out 210hp. They have one on display. Tool prices are great, going to pick up a couple of things. Mahlon is building an engine everyday in the Mattituck tent. The Glastar Sportsman 2+2 is just too cool and it will fit in your garage(folding wings), can build most of it in 2 weeks with their build assistance program for $112k.

But that would get you flying quick. Lot's of cool RV's, my favorite so far would have to be Dick Martin's RV-8, IO-390, speed mods, no paint or primer, light, fastest RV-8 around they say, 240mph, lancair beater. You have to love the akro shows. No new news on the RV-12 yet.

That's my update. Too hip gotta go.

papakeith · Post by **papakeith** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:07 pm

I ended up just making a blog entry of my sun n fun experience.

PK's Blog

Here's the gist of it if you dont' have time for the extended version.

Sun n fun + PK = yay

RV + PK = not smiling
Rans + PK = big frowns
Avipro + Bearhawk + PK = smiles

Had a great time I'll be back.

cjensen · Post by **cjensen** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 1:49 pm

sorry to hear of your trials with rans and vans.

the bearhawk is a really cool airplane though!!

i checked 'em out when i was down there, and there ain't nothin' wrong with that one!

papakeith · Post by **papakeith** » Mon Apr 10, 2006 4:09 pm

I should edit that post about RV=no smiles. The fault doesn't lie with Vans. Rather the fault is mine whether by genetics, or by hand to mouth

Even with the Bearhawk, I'll still be banging rivets, just only on the wing

RivetBangers.com