By Michael J. Martin, EAA 1047599, Toronto, Ontario
AirVenture 2024 is coming up fast during the peak of summer. For most Canadians, we have been dormant for far too long, hibernating away from the wrath of winter. So, several dozen members of the Buttonville Flying Club and also EAA members who all spent the grey winter months dreaming of our annual migration to Oshkosh the last week of July 2024 must now prepare and get into tip-top shape for the big event.
This year will be an incredibly special and different year for the Canadian aviation world as we celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) across Canada and as a feature event focus at AirVenture 2024. With the RCAF Snowbirds aerobatic team as the highlight performers of the EAA AirVenture air show lineup for 2024, this year will be a unique occasion to honour Canada and its critical part in aviation.
To adequately prepare for AirVenture, Canadian EAA members travelled down south to enjoy the radiant sunshine found in Lakeland, Florida, for the smaller warm-up aviation event called SUN ‘n FUN.
With more than 20 members of the Buttonville Flying Club in attendance, this warm-up act for AirVenture is used to get the blood circulating again and to get our steps in as we walk around to meet and greet vendors and watch air show performers tweak their acts ahead of the 2024 air show season.
EAA attended SUN ‘n FUN 2024, too.
SUN ‘n FUN took place April 9-14, 2024, at Florida’s Lakeland Linder Airport (LAL). It ran from Tuesday to Sunday, with the EAA exhibit booth open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., so each of us Canadians could visit EAA while at this warm-up event.
One of the highlights from this year’s air show was to enjoy the high-performance aerobatics of fellow Canadian Kyle Fowler from Alberta. His performance is like an aerial ballet; ever so smooth, yet strong and graceful. He is a fan favourite whenever he performs. Kyle flies the gorgeous, hot yellow, Long-EZ airplane, and it looks peculiar, as if it is flying backwards, due to the legendary Burt Rutan design with the canard wing up front.
EAA took generous care of its members at SUN ‘n FUN and even secured us a special discount for entry into this show. EAA members are entitled to $5 off daily or $30 off weekly SUN ‘n FUN tickets.
EAA members could save on SUN ‘n FUN admission by using the discount code “EAA505” while purchasing online, or by showing an EAA member card at the SUN ‘n FUN admission gates. We could either provide our physical EAA membership card or download it on our mobile device, which can be done through our EAA account.
Just like at AirVenture every year, Canadians gather to break bread and share in the camaraderie of the aviation community. Getting restaurant seating for larger groups can be tough, but the local Winter Haven restaurant service staff made our dinner gatherings both enjoyable and easy.
Later, we divide into smaller groups during the day to research avionics, or to investigate the latest airplane technologies, or stare lovingly at the latest aircraft glistening in the Florida sunshine. But, as Canadians do every year at AirVenture, we must gather to talk, laugh, and share our passion for all things to do with airplanes.
Athletes often use warm-up events as part of their preparation for larger competitions. These events serve multiple purposes, helping athletes fine-tune their skills, gauge their form, and mentally prepare for the intensity of major competitions.
Akin to the great sporting athletes, we EAA members must also prepare for the grand days to come. Attending EAA AirVenture in 2024 demands preparation, training, and practice to be ready for the rigours of Oshkosh.
With the official countdown clock now well below 100 days to the opening day, we need to shake off the winter rust and get the blood flowing again, and this Florida adventure is just the beginning of our 2024 air show escapades.
The EAA AirVenture dates for this summer are July 22-28, 2024. This will be a momentous year for Canadians to attend AirVenture with the RCAF featured as a main theme for the event. So, work hard to get into shape and we will see you there. Kyle Fowler will perform at EAA AirVenture, too, so if you missed him at SUN ‘n FUN 2024, do not miss your chance to see his exploits at AirVenture 2024.