QUIETER SKIES ACROSS POLK THIS WEEK

After today, the skies above Lakeland will be significantly quieter as the Sun 'N Fun Fly-In ends another run. For a week, Lakeland Linder Regional Airport hosts one of the nation's largest air shows featuring military, experimental, and historic aircraft.

Among the airplanes Lakeland during the past week were the zebra-striped Sikorsky S-38 seaplane which was featured in the motion picture "The Aviator", the Air Force P-38 Lightning which crash landed and eventually buried under ice in Greenland during World War II but rescused and brought back to life after a $3 million rescue operation a few years ago, an Air Force A-10 "Warthog", three USAF F-16CJs, also known as the "Fighting Falcons", and a motorcycle gyroplane (not yet ready).

Unfortunately, I've never had the opportunity to attend the annual event, but get to see some interesting planes pass over heading to or from the airport. I've got to set aside some funds to make next year's Sun 'N Fun, and join the 160,000+ attendees...