Since 25 years the
EAA is inviting all aviation fans to Lakeland. Today Sun ‘n Fun is one of the largest
fly-ins. From Jets to Ultra-lights all is there. We flew our Dornier 27 down to Florida and saw some other interesting
aircraft. Not the classic fighters or the thousands of homebuilt, we were looking for
privately operated utility-aircraft.At the commercial area we found some new and older
designs that fit in our category. Cessna was showing their complete line including a new C206 and the Caravan, all were labeled "SOLD"
; (yes yes, we believe it). and Piper with its "ultimate utility" Saratoga joined this collection.
Aerocomp displayed several composite creations, powered by the Walter M601 turboprop engine, very interesting kit aircraft
with up to 9 seats, only the taildragger will have some problem in real action with
propeller ground clearance.
Carter is doing engines, now specializing in LOM (Czech made) installing them in the
Aviation Development International planes the Bushmaster & Loadmaster.
Further a very promising aircraft a Super Cyclone, a
Canadian kit C180/185 that fits to the 51% rule with power from 200 to 350hp.
We saw the Explorer, a flying RV. Very impressive this big light bird. Normally you can
haul a lot with utility aircraft when going camping but the Explorer has a different
approach, bed, chairs and table directly build in.
In the homebuilt and kit aircraft area was nothing yet that qualifies.
And the utility aircraft area we could not find, but some C185 and C206 at GA.
We met two owners with a Helio one on floats in the seaplane section and one nicely
restored in the vintage parking. The H-295 has moving slats (the Do27 has fixed ones) but
both aircraft fly with the same engine a Lycoming GO-480. Both aircraft were parked near
each other and could be compared.
A Lockheed 60 in yellow red colors was parked at the GA parking but utility plane
owners find each other fast.
We saw a Yugoslavian UTVA 66 parked between the line of US army L- planes. It has a big
GSO 480 engine 340hp for a relatively small aircraft.
One day a AN2 flew in, stating that it is the
largest single engine plane around. Beavers were present but only on amphibian floats.
This aircraft converted with a turboprop engine represents some investment! No Beavers or
Otters on wheels, and no Broussard.
A total of 5 DC3 could be seen. Some parked at warbirds others in the GA section. This
airliners were in different condition from ex-mil configuration to executive interior. (a
little to big for family flying but sure fun). Same number of Beech 18 were hiding
in-between the DC3’s.
We saw the Partenavia Observer only during taxi, later we lost it. A second observation
aircraft the English Optica attracted lots of
attention.
A Dornier Skyservant probably ex German navy could be seen. It is a Do28 D model, 14
pax large twin engine. (The Do28 B model is a different aircraft. There are not many in
the country.) The owner of the Skyservant showed his ex-eastgerman Polizei helicopter
still with original markings.
At the warbird parking several Piaggio/FockeWulf 149
were lined up and someone not familiar would have to look twice to separate them from the
Navions. But it is a complete different aircraft sharing much more with the Pilatus P3
than with their American look a like.
