Sun N Fun Recommendations

[RocketAviator]

I you first time to SnF, myself and 3 other Mooniacs Lord Willing will travel to SnF. My buddies are hard line formation flyers so I expect the flight to be mainly in loose formation with everything from a Ovation, Rocket to an E!

Planning to arrive Wednesday depart early Saturday

What I'm looking for is recommendations on tickets & other such advice that my fellow MS would help me decide with thier recommendations.

Should one upgrade the tickets to Preffered, VIP or are the regular admission just as good?

Will investigate more but could not quickly determine if admission tickets covered aircraft parking or that needed to be purchased in addition to admission? We are staying in hotel so won't be camping, but will need to park airplanes.

I'm EAA & AOPA, they mention affiliations discount but I don't see anything on EAA or AOPA!

Any tie bits of information & recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

I know there is another thread on SnF! I would be intrested in meeting anyone from MS while at SnF!

[Guest]

I'll be flying down but will be staying in Haines City and driving over. Renting a whole house is cheaper than a hotel room.

Clarence

[DrBill]

I went several years ago. First time went to Vandenburg, rented car, purchased standard tkt and had a ball.

2nd time went to Peter Knight, friends car, stayed in hotel in Bradenton ? (same as first) std tkt, no problems.

If I went again, I'd probably do Vandenburg again.

BILL

[Jeff_S]

If you are planning to fly into Lakeland and park for several days, I don't believe there is an extra parking fee. I've only ever gone down for just a day at a time, and there is no parking fee for that, other than your general admission fee. (Heck, last year when I arrived they were in such a state of confusion that the shuttle tram deposited me at the entrance to the event and I just walked in. No one was even checking for wrist bands. I actually tried to find someplace convenient to pay but none were handy.  Sorry, SnF!)

 

If you fly into the outlying airports then you will definitely pay to park. I used Winter Haven one year. The airport was convenient and they had rental cars, but it was a hassle having to drive to the event.

[cujet]

I live nearby LAL and fly in every year.  Place a large sign in the windshield that says "GAP" (general aviation parking) . They will eventually marshal you to park in the grass area probably near the VOR. You can leave your airplane there all week. 

 

Airplane camping is in a different area. 

 

Vintage aircraft (manufactured prior to 1970 I think) also park elsewhere. (yes, there are mooney's that park there)

 

But, one thing you cannot forget, your rope and tie downs (for sandy soil) !!!! 

 

The golf cart guys will show up to take your money. (they will also sell you the tie downs you forgot)(if they have any left)

 

I've never purchased a VIP ticket. I don't see the need. Plenty of viewing area for the airshows and no other advantage that I can think of. 

 

The one caution I will add is to understand the "Lake Parker" arrival. It's easy once you've done it, but it still confuses so many people. Please print out the notam, have it with you, and understand every aspect of the arrival procedures (prior to arrival) . Every year, there are some pilots who really mess this up, the problem is, it puts the rest of us at huge risk. Altitude, airspeed and position are very important, as is listening and not talking. 

 

Upon departure, I stay low, really low. Most pilots like to show off the climb performance of their plane. This puts each and every departure aircraft in the same general location. At some point, these dummies head off in the differing directions they need to go. Cutting right in front of you and the 5 people next to you. 

 

Last year, I remained low, and watched a corporate jet ignore the tower's heading instructions and blaze right through the middle of a gaggle of slower aircraft. It was absolute mayhem. I was 1000 feet below them, thank god.