Tag: Sun n fun

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Wasn’t Expecting So Much Sun ‘n Fun

a van's RV-10 painted red and white with Magnix on the cowl and flags around it

Well, it wasn’t on my dance card, to begin with, but circumstances dictated that I head down to Florida for the first time in a couple of years to attend the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo this year.

My primary mission was to help out with my fellow volunteers with the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators at the triple-wide booth we had planned in Hangar A for the show.

five people in polo shirts stand in front of a banner that says SAFE, Educate, Elevate, Aviate.
SAFE volunteers proudly show off the new display booth at Sun n Fun 2026. [Credit: Donna Wilt]

But since I was already on site, I met up with fellow AvBrief contributor Larry Anglisano to put together a few bits for the home team at avbrief.com. We started off with this video showing off the Bristell B23 with the Rotax 916iS powerplant, interviewing my pal David Copeland of Bristell on the company’s plans for the model, now that MOSAIC is reality.

a silver and dark grey low wing Bristell B23 parked on the grass
https://avbrief.com/bristell-b23-goes-mosaic-electric-in-the-works/This version of the Bristell B23 hosts a Rotax 916iS powerplant. [Credit: Julie Boatman]

Next, I covered the several press conferences on Tuesday, with news from Daher including their Me & My Kodiak app and the proud display of the new TBM 980 and Kodiak 900 out front. Larry and I enjoyed a coffee (I only spilled a little on my feet) on their spacious deck).

a tall man in profile with a microphone introduces a young woman with a ponytail in front of a screen
Nicolas Chabbert introduces the Me & My Kodiak app at Sun n Fun 2026. [Credit: Julie Boatman]
a man in a straw hat and a woman in a white polo on an RV porch with cups of coffee
AvBrief’s Larry Anglisano and Julie Boatman share a great espresso on the porch at Daher at SNF 26. [Credit: Larry Anglisano]

Then, I scooted over to MagniX to check out their big reveal of a rather little powerplant, one that will be going into no less than the pretty Van’s RV-10 parked outside the tent.

a van's RV-10 painted red and white with Magnix on the cowl and flags around it
The magniX motor will go next into this Van’s RV-10 for testing. [Credit: Julie Boatman]
a small electric motor round and polished white
The magniX motor is destined for several test applications. [Credit: Julie Boatman]

I also had a chance to support client Hartzell Propeller during the company’s seminar as part of the Sun ‘n Fun Innovation Preview on Monday afternoon under the breezy pavilion (which won’t be so breezy next year, once it is enclosed). Great stuff coming from the Top Prop line, and new prop applications in the works…

a man behind a pale wooden lecturn next to a large screen with New Products and airplanes on it
JJ Frigge of Hartzell Propeller introduces the company’s new products at the Sun n Fun 2026 Innovation Preview. [Credit: Julie Boatman]

Overall props to the excellent media headquarters staff, who kept me watered and fed and charged up during my whirlwind visit… and to the entire Sun ‘n Fun team for a great show… things are looking up at least in this part of central Florida.

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Sun ‘n Fun Day Two

Day Two of the Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo brought more sun… but also special connections and two new perspectives on the show.

First, my cousin Nolan joined us for the day. He’s an aspiring pilot just starting lessons and seeks a career in the industry. So, we toured the grounds, talking with a wide range of friends in roles at a broad spectrum of aviation companies.

He learned how to cleco in a rivet at the Daher booth in the Future ‘n Flight Career Fair, he tested out the new Bose Corporation A30s, and climbed up into the D-Day Squadron’s “Placid Lassie” on the warbird ramp. His take? You can translate a pilot certificate and that knowledge into so many professional paths in aviation. Indeed!

We also did a big loop of the flight lines with my longtime friend Patrick Gordon who has devoted his investment in pilot mental health to working in the HIMS program for Frontier, assisting pilots of any commercial background in getting their medical certificates back, especially in recovery. Thank you Patrick for all you and your peers at ALPA are doing to support pilots when they need it most.

Third, there was the night airshow… it’s becoming a tradition to join friends at Cirrus for a bite and a beer on the flight line before adjourning to the party (with hats!) at Whelen Aerospace Technologies and say hi to the Mike Goulian Aerosports team… thank you Mike and Karen and Nate for a special evening.

At the Daher booth in the Career Fair, we learn how to cleco a rivet. [Credit: Julie Boatman]
Stephen Yeates captures the action from the Cirrus Owners Suite on the flight line. [Credit: Julie Boatman]
I introduced my cousin Nolan to “Placid Lassie” and the D-Day Squadron. [Credit: Julie Boatman]
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Sun ‘n Fun Day One

Day One for JulietBravoFox Media at Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo… and just a few takes in addition to my favorite moments of the day.

  1. Top news of the day: While the respective OEMs had announced Piper’s M700 Fury and the Cirrus SR G7 series earlier this year, #SNF24 is the first official place to see those new models on display. Those who come to Sun n Fun are pilots… we want to touch the new airplanes!
  2. Hats off to Daher, though, for delivering a full lineup of solid news—and cupcakes!—at their exhibit. The TBM 960’s new take on a stunning scheme draws you in—but the beauty is not just skin deep. There are enhancements to Home Safe, pilot alerts, and progressive taxi context inside. More to come from the French OEM that continues to expand its stake in North America.
  3. Redbird returns… and the sim you see under a canopy on the corner between the FAA building and AOPA is a joint project with the Recreational Aviation Foundation. Inside the motion sim—which you can try out—lies a G1000 Cessna 182 going in to Ryan Field in MT, among other strips the RAF’s volunteer corps serves to protect.
  4. And… Kudos to the new press center! Everything (internet, power, check in, people) worked, and the new level of organization fixes so many issues from the past. To be a legitimate forum for industry news, you need to give those working the show from the media a quiet space in which to do so. It may be “spring break for pilots” and a great chance to catch up with colleagues, but we have a job to do. Thank you for meeting us there!

Looking forward to Day Two…