Recent statements about the conduct of lightplane operations at the annual Lakeland Sun 'n Fun Fly-In are creating quite a buzz from flyers who are protesting the revelation that Sun 'n Fun will be conducting vehicle surveillance in the "Paradise City" lightplane operations area.

Sun 'n Fun staffers will be apparently be checking vehicle paperwork and licensing for two seaters (operating either as ultralight trainers or licensed experimentals) operating in the lightplane area and making "basic visual" inspections of single seaters operating under Part 103 to see if they are operating legally. This is a departure from previous operational criteria established for this area in which such compliance was left to the purview of the FAA (to our knowledge, the only legally constituted authority that can force the issue).

A number of ultralight and lightplane operators are up in arms... especially those with "Fat" ultralights or some accessories that may fall outside of Part 103 or other regulatory definitions. By and large, since the FAA has (wisely) left these aircraft (pretty much) alone and concentrated on safety aspects rather than the letter of the law, flyers seem a bit nonplussed at the "heavy-handedness" they see from Sun 'n Fun.

The Sun 'n Fun decision could be in response to the legal problems and lawsuits they have created for themselves through several years of ignoring safety and regulatory issues... which appears to have played a part in creating a lot of bad will, a number of accidents, and at least one fatality. Naysayers indicate that they do not believe that Sun 'n Fun, an annual event that receives public funding and operates (primarily) from   a Federally funded airport, has the right to restrict operation to any aircraft based on an inspection that they may not have the legal authority to require or conduct -- especially from an organization that has reportedly turned its back on a number of safety issues for many years.

For it's part, EAA and Oshkosh plan no changes for their comparatively smooth-running lightplane operations this summer -- not exactly a stirring recommendation for the Sun 'n Fun decision (though the once cordial relationship between EAA HQ and SnF seems even more strained than usual...). 

For many, the answer to this discontent is to not go to the Fly-in... but at least one intriguing alternative has surfaced from some folks from the nearby South Lakeland airport, a few miles south of the Lakeland airport.

Apparently; their plan is to provide a grass-roots alternative to the aero-tyranny they fear to the North. South Lakeland airport will be hosting a number of flight operations, and offering food, shower and bathroom availability, camping, tie-downs and even a free shuttle bus to the Fly-In (for those who fly into South Lakeland, only). While there is no fuel at the field, they note that a gas station sits right at one end of the property so plenty of mo-gas is available during normal business hours. They also report that, "Everybody's welcome to fly in - ultralight, experimental, GA - but keep your head on a swivel, because the pattern's going to be hoppin' this year!"

A spokesman adds that, "I'm not going to lie to you and say this is going to be a finely tuned, smooth operation. But we are determined to make it work regardless of what it takes. You can count on a bonfire in the evenings, at least on the weekend, fair prices for food and drink, and perhaps most importantly, a return to grass roots, seat of your pants type environment. We're not big on anything but a love of flying and a willingness to do what we can to help the light aircraft flying community... The pattern here is left traffic for 32, and right traffic for 14. CTAF is 122.9. More details may be found at  www.airnav.com/airport/X49. As stated above, we always have a free shuttle to and from SnF with a 1 hour cycle time. Water and facilities are free, only one shower at this time :-), and be sure to have your own tiedowns!!! We MAY have some for rent for around $20, you get $10 back if you return them."

This is not the only defection from the norm... an announcement some months ago of a major Sport Pilot/LightPlane Expo to be held in Sebring, FL, (a great facility) this fall may be the death knell for exhibitor support of Sun 'n Fun's Paradise City... with several dozen vendors indicating that if the Sebring event does well, then their future attendance at Lakeland is much in doubt. We'll keep you updated about this situation, as it develops... but we do support and appreciate the effort of the folks at South Lakeland and Sebring to offer responsible alternatives to an increasingly troubled event.

FMI: ulav8r@tampabay.rr.com, liteplane@bigfoot.com