From a product standpoint, Sun n’ Fun 2022 was a bust, and here’s hoping AirVenture at Oshkosh will be better. I’ve been going to the Sun ‘n Fun show in Florida since 1990—first joining the arrival mayhem before moving on to Key West to escape miserable New England winter weather—then as a vendor and finally a reporter. While Sun ‘n Fun has changed over the years, this year a choked supplied chain made it all airshow and a no-news show. Not even press conferences at Press HQ—which closed early each day. Thank goodness for the always generous Sporty’s, which still put on the traditional midweek barbecue. Carol Cali at Sun ‘n Fun’s media relations told me that while plenty of vendors did have stuff to talk about, she was frustrated at the lack of interest for press conferences. We were on our own, and resigned that Sun ‘n Fun is no longer a news show. Still, Kate O’Connor, my counterpart over at sister pub AVweb, and I marveled at how many product videos we were able to string together by doing what I always wished I had more time to do—walk the show and talk to vendors. We found enthusiastic ones making the best out of a difficult market that has no shortage of willing buyers, but instead a shortage of inventory. That includes airplanes, avionics and even consumables.
Mark Brown at Daher told me demand for the big Kodiak turboprop single is through the roof, and after flying one on floats a while back, it’s easy for me to see why. It’s a total package that has it going on, and now under the Daher brand, the rugged airplane is more refined than ever, with impressive fit and finish. Steve Kent at Textron told me the order book for the recently reintroduced turbo 182 Skylane is full as the company works through the type certification process. Worth showing is the new Cessna 182 pictured below, which may have been one of the more attention-getting things at Sun ‘n Fun. To celebrate 65 years of the Skylane, Textron showed it off in that retro paint scheme, including the name “Cessna” on the doors stamped in the marque’s early font. I think it’s cool, but the Garmin G1000 glass panel kind of spoils the mood.