November is Aviation History Month , and Lakeland’s history of aviation is extensive.
To celebrate, we rounded up some of the notable things that happened in aviation over the last century, right here in Swan City.
- 1927. The year Marie Miller, an aviator who went on to spend much of her life in Lakeland and was a fixture at the SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In show, took her first flight lessons at the age of 20. 👩✈️
- 1974. The year the Experimental Aircraft Association held its first fly-in for aviation enthusiasts at the Lakeland Airport — today it is known as the SUN ‘n FUN Expo, Florida’s largest aircraft show. 🛫
- 1986. The year the first version of the Florida Air Museum, at the time a “mini-museum,” opened at Hanger A of the Lakeland Linder Airport.
- 1992. The year the Florida Air Museum, named the International Sport Aviation Museum at the time, officially opened to the public .
- 2006. The year George Haldeman, a Lakeland pilot who broke aviation world records, was inducted into the Florida Aviation Hall of Fame . 🏆
- 2008. The year the Central Florida Aerospace Academy opened its doors on Lakeland Linder International Airport’s campus. 🚀
- 2015. The year the Florida Chapter of the Warbirds of America opened at the SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In event.
Today, the SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In is a week-long event with over 200,000 visitors, and the campus operates year-round as a learning experience for students.
Know of any other big moments in aviation history for Lakeland? Let us know here
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