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Sign up for Monthly NewsletterAviation Innovators Hit by Storm at Sun n' Fun
[caption id="attachment_4182" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Photo Credit: James Wiebe"]
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A powerful storm cell ripped through Florida's Sun n’ Fun Fly-in and Expo at Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport yesterday. Luckily there were no serious injuries. At least 40 aircraft were damaged, many of them home-built.
My heart goes out to all the people with damaged aircraft. Yes, there is insurance. However, while insurance may be a great help to those with "store-bought" aircraft, it will do less for those who built their aircraft from kits or scratch. Years can go into the construction of a home-built plane (often 1000-4000 hours).
I hope for the home-builders this will be a case where an external setback is motivating rather than devastating. Research suggests that external setbacks can increase creativity and diligence. Perhaps this setback will push some to focus on innovations and prizes in electric aircraft or other new opportunities. Here's to the family and friends who support the projects in this tough time.
The Sun n' Fun Fly-in is second only to AirVenture Oshkosh in the display and focus on general aviation innovation. Attendance is generally around 150,000 people for Sun n' Fun.
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A powerful storm cell ripped through Florida's Sun n’ Fun Fly-in and Expo at Lakeland-Linder Regional Airport yesterday. Luckily there were no serious injuries. At least 40 aircraft were damaged, many of them home-built.
My heart goes out to all the people with damaged aircraft. Yes, there is insurance. However, while insurance may be a great help to those with "store-bought" aircraft, it will do less for those who built their aircraft from kits or scratch. Years can go into the construction of a home-built plane (often 1000-4000 hours).
I hope for the home-builders this will be a case where an external setback is motivating rather than devastating. Research suggests that external setbacks can increase creativity and diligence. Perhaps this setback will push some to focus on innovations and prizes in electric aircraft or other new opportunities. Here's to the family and friends who support the projects in this tough time.
The Sun n' Fun Fly-in is second only to AirVenture Oshkosh in the display and focus on general aviation innovation. Attendance is generally around 150,000 people for Sun n' Fun.
