Air shows are a popular recreational activity for many people in Florida. Having the chance to witness incredibly powerful jets up-close can be an exhilarating experience. Not to mention being able to witness beautifully maintained historical airplanes, which have an irreplaceable charm. There are many air shows throughout the year in the Sunshine State, yet there is one that truly takes the cake.
Sun ‘n Fun is the largest air show in all of Florida and, in fact, is the second-largest air show in the world! It takes place annually and usually occurs during late March to early April. This tends to be a time where there is an abundance of sunshine without too much heat. The amount of performers at this air show is nothing less than incredible – totaling over 30 unique airplanes from a wide variety of categories.
This year, the Thunderbirds paid a visit to Sun ‘n Fun. The United States Air Force aerobatic team flies six F-16 fighter jets. It has been their aircraft of choice going all the way back to 1983. They perform a number of close proximity maneuvers that have held spectators on the edge of their seats for many years. Additionally, if you are into photographing airplanes, the Thunderbirds are a wonderful subject, with their bright white paint and red noses sharply contrasting against a blue sky.
For one of the photos in this article, I managed to capture the Thunderbirds transiting the moon! Notice how the exhaust from the F-16s distorts our nearest celestial neighbor. In the other photo, the Thunderbirds can be seen in their iconic Delta formation. This is where all six jets create a V-shaped formation that resembles a flock of migrating birds. The amount of skill and concentration required to do this at high speeds is nothing less than astounding.
We hope you are able to make it to next year’s Sun ‘n Fun. The 2023 aerospace expo is currently scheduled for March 28 until April 2. General admission tickets can generally be purchased online a few weeks ahead of the event for a decent discount. Florida residents may also receive discounts on general admission.
