Here's my report of the 2019 Sun 'n Fun fly-in earlier this month (April 2 -  7) in Lakeland, Florida, with photos and videos of the trip to and from Lakeland from the Zenith Aircraft factory in Mexico, Missouri. Watch the videos for additional info (some with narration) and check out some of our Facebook posts of the trip and the event. 

Listen in as Roger and Steve head for Florida in the STOL CH 750 Super Duty from the Zenith kit factory in central Missouri:

Flying cross-country is not just about getting there, but about the journey and the stops along the way. We've been making the trip to Florida for many years and we enjoy the trip. Zenith planes are great for personal transportation, and the flight getting there is often more memorable than the actual destination. We flew to Sun 'n Fun with three airplanes from the Zenith Aircraft kit factory in Mexico, Missouri: The STOL CH 750 Super Duty, the Zenith CH 750 Cruzer and the low-wing Zenith CH 650.

We left a day early for Florida because of incoming weather, wanting to stay ahead of the weather. Above, crossing the Missouri River west of St Louis shortly after our morning departure. Below, we see flooding around the Mississippi River in southeast Missouri:

Flooded properties in the Mississippi Valley between Kentucky and Missouri. I just love the bubble doors of the high-wing Zenith aircraft for the amazing downward visibility!

Fuel stop in Union City, Tennessee (KUCY):

Flying high above the Tennessee River. While we normally fly relatively low (one or two thousand feet AGL) for a better view of what we're flying over, sometimes we'll fly higher to take advantage of tail winds.

Again, enjoying the great downward visibility thanks to the bubble doors: A dam on the Tennessee River (with a lock and hydro-electric power generation).

Enjoying southern lunch at Cullman Regional Airport / Folsom Field (KCMD) airport restaurant: BLT with fried green tomatoes

After the late lunch we continued flying south to Auburn, Alabama (KAUO) where we spent the night.

The next morning we were joined by brother Nick in the faster low-wing Zenith CH 650 (who had left Mexico, Missouri later the previous day) and the three planes continued south, stopping in Adel, Georgia (15J) for fuel and to visit with kit manufacturer Azalea Aviation.

After lunch we continued on into Florida, crossing the Suwanee River (below)

Nice private grass runway on this small island!

Since we arrived in Florida early for the Sun 'n Fun Fly-In and Expo we stopped to visit with Herman and Amy Eshuis of Wheels and Wings at Massey Ranch (X50) in Edgewater, south of Daytona Beach

Wheels and Wings offers builder assistance services

Since we were in Edgewater we had to visit the water (at New Smyrna Beach), even if just to dip in our toes:

The following morning we decided to visit the nearby Kennedy Space Center at Cape Canaveral. I think many of us can relate to this quote:

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex at Cape Canaveral:

Zenith Aircraft demo pilot Roger Dubbert attempts to land the space shuttle simulator at Shuttle Landing Facility at Kennedy Space Center:

Historic launch pad 39A at the John F. Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, where SpaceX's Falcon Heavy launched from ten days later:

Back at Massey Ranch Airpark, checking out the Viking's STOL CH 750 Super Duty powered by the turbocharged 180-hp Honda conversion.

Flying to Lakeland, home of the Sun 'n Fun fly-in, on Sunday afternoon, passing overhead Tavares, Florida.

Flying by the Viking STOL CH 750 Super Duty on its way to Lakeland:

Below, listen in and watch as I approach Lakeland (KLAL) in the Zenith CH750 Cruzer to arrive at the 2019 SUN 'n FUN International Fly-In and Expo:

The Zenith display at Sun'n Fun 2019:

This was our office for the next week:

Meeting with Able Flight pilots and future pilots:

Below: This Zenith CH 750 Cruzer kit (in the crate) will be built in the Buehler Restoration Center at Sun 'n Fun following the fly-in by the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) and the Lakeland Aero Club high school flying club. The finished aircraft will be used (in part) to train future Able Flight pilots. ...read more

Checking out the crate in the Sun'n Fun Air Museum before the show:

Lakeland Aero Club high school flying club members check out the crated kit that they will be building soon (photo by Andy Ovans):

Video: Zenith Aircraft planes at the Zenith booth while the Aeroshell Aerobatic Team and the Blue Angels perform overhead.

Zenith builders and flyers were treated to a BBQ on Thursday evening hosted by the "alternative engine companies," some of the popular engines used in customer-built Zeniths. Thanks William Wyne (the Corvair guru), Robert and Ray (UL Power guys), Jan and Alissa (the Viking power couple), and Nick Otterback (Jabiru engines):

The SUN 'n FUN International Fly-In and Expo is always a good place to check out new technology and products for light aircraft. Roger checks out the Brazilian Motorav engine:

Free hands-on workshops and seminars at SUN 'n FUN allow visitors to learn more about building and flying their own aircraft:

After hours, the Zenith staff being treated by locals. Thanks Mary and Mark for the outstanding hospitality!

We were busy throughout the week and were ready to head home by Monday morning.
Below, watch the video taking off from Lakeland (KLAL) after Sun'n Fun 2019 and heading toward home. Roger and Steve in the Zenith STOL CH 750 Super Duty (with the UnPanel display).

We made a precautionary stop at Zephyrhills (KZPH) just north of Lakeland to check a rough-running engine that was quickly fixed thanks to support from UL Power and Herman Eshuis of Wheels and Wings. (We found a loose electrical connection to one of the fuel injectors.)

We soon continued flying north along the Gulf Coast, passing over scenic Crystal River:

Overnight in Perry - Foley (40J in northern Florida) to wait out the storms:

Back in the air the following morning with scattered low clouds

We stopped in Early Country Airport (KBIJ) in Blakely, Georgia to wait out weather, walking several miles along train tracks to a local diner

After our walk we resumed flying north, here at the dam on the Chattahoochee River in southern Alabama, south of Eufala (view video from the STOL CH750SD):

Lake Martin in central Alabama:

Enjoying the view, using my phone for navigation (running the Garmin Pilot app) and to take pictures: 

Flying past small mountains west of Birmingham:

Wide-angle view inside the Zenith CH 750 Cruzer cabin. Lots of space to pack for cross-country flights:

We stopped for the night at Savannah-Hardin County Airport (KSNH) on the Tennessee River, dining on local catfish:

Flying home: Check out the video as brother Nick flies the sleek low-wing Zenith CH 650 while I fly overhead in the high-wing Zenith CH 750 Cruzer.

Last fuel stop in Farmington, Missouri:

Nice views of the Zenith CH 650 crossing the Mississippi River:

Following the Missouri River, flying past Hermann, Missouri

Related info:

• See last year's Sun 'n Fun 2018 report
• Check out photos and videos from the 2019 Sebring Expo
• See the Zenith Facebook page for more photos and videos from Sun'n Fun

Related documents:

• Spirit of Lakeland
• Able Flight - Sun 'n Fun Today
• Workshops - Sun 'n Fun Today