Safety and Logistics Before Sun 'n Fun
The United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has published guidance germane to the upcoming annual Sun ‘N Fun fly-in and aerospace expo to be held 28 March through 02 April 2023 at Lakeland, Florida’s Lakeland Linder International Airport (LAL).
Subject guidance pertains to a comprehensive gamut of topics that includes arrival and departure routes, radio communications, no-radio (NORDO) protocols, NOTAMs, preferred VFR/IFR filing and clearance delivery procedures, ground control, and aircraft parking.
Pilots landing or departing LAL are directed to display a sign in the left side of their aircrafts’ windshields designating their intended parking/camping area, or type departure. Signs should comprise large, dark letters readable from at least fifty-feet. Computer or tablet signs are not acceptable.
In addition to a great many similarly important restrictions, pilots are directed to refrain from stopping on LAL runway after landing. Rather, arriving aircraft are to high-speed taxi to the end of the active runway.
Attendees are instructed to neither stand on or near the LAL runways, nor walk or drive across such.
Sun ‘N Fun attendees are further advised to/that:
- Use caution when operating in non-movement areas. All movement on other than paved runways is at pilots’ own risk.
- All aircraft must be tied down; aircraft on paved surfaces must be chocked. Tie down equipment and chocks may not be available. Ergo, attendees are encouraged to bring their own.
- Aircraft parking and camping is allowed in designated areas only. Camping north of LAL Runway 10L/28R is prohibited.
- Contact the LAL FBOs—Aero Center Lakeland and Sheltair—for hard-surface reserved parking and fueling information.
- Neither student training-flights nor solos are permitted at LAL during the Sun ‘N Fun event.
- Fire prevention rules must be observed in their entirety at all times. Neither campfires nor stoves are permitted near aircraft.
- LAL Runway 05/23 will be closed from 14:00 EDT (1800 UTC) 17 March through 16:00 EDT (20:00 UTC) 06 April.
- LAL Runway 08/26 (Paradise City) will be closed from 14:00 EDT (18:00 UTC) 17 March through 16:00 EDT (20:00 UTC) 06 April.
- Several LAL taxiways will be closed as indicated by orange cones or low-profile barricades.
- Engine operation and taxi are prohibited south of LAL Runway 10R/28L from 19:30-07:00 EDT (23:30- 11:00 UTC).
- The U.S. Customs and Border Protection General Aviation facility will be closed 27 March through 11 April.
The DOT also cautions pilots attending the Sun ‘N Fun event that LAL will be closed nightly and during aerobatic demonstrations. What’s more, Paradise City—that area of the SUN 'n FUN Aerospace Expo given over to the exclusive use of Light Sport, Ultralight, and other specialty aircraft—will be closed during aerobatic demonstrations and nightly between sunset and sunrise from 26 March to 03 April.
Temporary flight restrictions (TFR) will be in effect during Sun ‘N Fun aerobatic demonstrations. TFR information is disseminated via FDC NOTAM prior to the event. Once published, text and graphic depictions of restrictions may be found at: https://tfr.faa.gov/ .
Sun ‘N Fun air-show and flight restrictions schedules are subject to change. Attendees are advised to check NOTAMs frequently.
Remember... ANN wil be broadcasting the LIVE SnF Innovation Preview on Tuesday the 28th at 1030ET... you can catch it at www.snfdd-live.com or www.airborne-live.net, while each morning thereafter will host our LIVE Morning Brief series throughout the rest the week. Don't miss those programs.
ANN's Daily Aero-Term (04.25.24): Airport Rotating Beacon
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