I recently returned from the Sun ’n Fun Fly-In in Lakeland, Florida, an event held each spring that, for many, marks the unofficial start of the flying season. It’s a great place for student pilots and new pilots to get inspired—and this year, in particular, that inspiration came in many forms.
At Sun ’n Fun, you can see everything new and old in aviation. This year there were thousands of displays featuring futuristic aircraft and new cockpit technology that promise to make flying simpler and more enjoyable than ever. You could also choose to return to aviation’s romantic past, with the opportunity to take a close-up look at dozens of beautifully restored classic aircraft on display. For those interested in the thrill of flight, there were some incredible aerobatic performances by the likes of Mike Goulian, Sean D. Tucker, and the Blue Angels.
We hosted the AOPA Learn to Fly Center, where students and prospective students could get answers to their training questions, sign up to receive Flight Training magazine—an edge you already have—and join the Let’s Go Flying program (www.aopa.org/letsgoflying). They could even try their hands at the controls of a full-motion Redbird flight simulator.
But this year’s greatest inspiration came from an unlikely source—a tornado that touched down near the Sun ’n Fun campus. When the storm rolled through the area, dozens of aircraft were flipped over or damaged by flying debris, tents collapsed, and thousands of people scrambled for shelter. Fortunately there were no major injuries. But the damage was heartbreaking.
What happened next was nothing short of miraculous.
Visitors to the show demonstrated the remarkable generosity and resilience that I see time and again in the aviation community. Many people camp under the wings of their aircraft during Sun ’n Fun, and in the wake of the storm, some had lost everything. I watched as their fellow pilots took them in, donated much-needed items, and performed random acts of kindness.
The Sun ’n Fun staff, along with hundreds of volunteers, worked through the night to clean up the debris and make the grounds safe for visitors to return.
Watching so many pilots pull together to salvage a wonderful event was truly inspirational. And it reminded me of other times when I’ve watched pilots achieve the seemingly impossible. Learning to fly can sometimes seem like an insurmountable challenge in itself. Between finding the right instructor, maintaining a consistent training schedule despite other demands, and mastering new skills, there may be times when you feel you’ll never achieve your goal of earning a pilot certificate. When that happens, I hope you’ll remember that as a pilot in training you are already part of the aviation community—a group that’s ready to work together to provide the support you need. Your flight instructor, pilots at your airport, and your fellow AOPA members have experienced many of the same challenges and are ready to offer encouragement and innovative ideas to help you keep moving toward your goals.
If you find yourself struggling, I hope you’ll find inspiration, as I do in the wonderful people who fly. And, you can always turn to AOPA at 800-USA-AOPA and online (www.aopa.org). You can achieve your dreams, and we are here to help.
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