Editor's note: Bill Larson is lucky enough to live in the middle of all things aviation; with residence in Cocoa Beach, FL, Bill sees everything going on at the Kennedy Space Center, plus a lot of Warbirds and General Aviation to boot. That's why he's a regular on these pages.
Every year, Bill starts the season with the TICO (Titusville) Warbird show and then segues to Sun 'N' Fun as our correspondent. Since the shows are only a couple of weeks apart, I thought we'd combine the two this time. So, heeere's Bill:
TICO, 2006
by Bill Larson
I like to think of TICO as the unofficial kickoff of the air show season. Maybe that because I'm out of touch with the rest of the world and because the show is almost in my back yard. It also helps prepare me for Lakeland and Sun 'n Fun. It's kinda like spring training in the NFL. Gotta' get the legs and body in shape. And this year's Warbird Air Show did just that! Well, maybe not, but close enough. I got there on the first day...March 10....just about 11 am. The timing was perfect; just right to wander the flight line, take some pictures, make some notes and grab a bite to eat. Which brings me to what I consider the single most important static display I have ever seen at any air show.  It doesn't fly. It was never in any military battles. And, once in place, it never taxis anywhere on the field until the show is over. It is the world's biggest grill on wheels and it came all the way from Wisconsin just to feed bratwurst junkies like yours truly. This is not a commercial, but I can honestly say that Johnsonville Brats are the only ones I serve up at an outdoor bash. And it was especially nice to have someone else doing the cooking. There was one problem, however. In trying to juggle the camera, my notepad, and the brats. My Greg Norman hat blew off and I never saw it again. It's ok, though. I think the hat went further than any of my drives ever have.
But now back to the main attraction....lots of planes starting with the Red Baron "Pizza" Squadron...four red and white Stearmans in a show that will knock your socks off. The only disappointment is that they failed to drop pizzas on one of their low passes.  I suppose there is some kind of FAA reg prohibiting that anyway.
There were also the planes and pilots that make the air show circuit part of their "seasonal" activities, like the Marchetti Maverick Team and Don "Beetle" Bailey with his L-29 Delphin. Then there was the venerable F-86....still about the prettiest plane ever to take to the air (personal opinion, of course). And one of my favorites, the Antonov AN-2 transport. Single engine bi-plane, 1000 hp, economy cruise of 100 knots and max cruise, at about 6000 feet, of 139 knots. It has a take-off roll of 495 feet and a landing roll of 558 feet.
This particular AN-2 is still working in Alaska. I leave it to you to figure how long it took to get from there to here.
The USAF presence was felt with an F-15 and an F-16 demonstration.
And for some of you guys who may have trained in the old "Texan", the newest member of that family was on hand; the Texas 2 flying, side by side with its illustrious namesake.
I guess the highlight of the day, however, was the flight of the F-104, the first time ever at the TICO Air show. It's often referred to as a manned missile and, after watching it perform, I believe it. For those of you unfamiliar with the F-104, it is a remarkably "clean" aircraft. So clean that the leading edge of the wing must be covered when parked. It is sharp enough to cause a serious head injury to anyone inadvertently bumping into it.
If I may digress, the TICO Air Show always brings back fond memories of its charter member and dear old friend, Marty Caidin. He went west several years ago but he remains close to us. Just wish we could see Iron Annie flying once again. Oh, before I forget, the Valiant Air Command is still re-building their C-47 "The TICO Belle". I am sure they would welcome any donations.
And last, but not least, I am including a picture of the Grumman Gremlin's Volunteer Group at TICO. It's in honor of old friend George Skurla. He was base manager for Grumman at Kennedy Space Center. He was the guy who made sure the Lunar Module got the astronauts safely on and off the moon. The company later made him Chairman and CEO. George also went west a few years ago but he liked to tell folks that, no matter what his position was, he was still just a $10,000 a year engineer. We could use a few more like him today in the space program. That's it for now. Time to get ready for Lakeland. See you there.
..three weeks later..
Sun 'N' Fun, 2006
Ten o'clock in the morning, Friday, April 7th, great weather for a great gathering of great people and great planes (a little exaggeration, maybe). But there
is always that feeling of anticipation when you approach the entrance to Sun 'n Fun in Lakeland, Florida. You just know it's gonna' be a good day.
First stop, the media center to get my official badge that allows access to virtually every area of Sun 'N Fun. The people there are great, as always, and efficient.
That accomplished, it was time to give this old body a treat by renting one of the little electric scooters. There were hundreds of them! But, at sixty bucks a day, I opined that these old bones could withstand the rigors of foot power one more time. In retrospect, the scooter would have been the smart way to go.
Not a lot changes from year to year at Sun 'N Fun. Most of the same vendors are back with slightly updated offerings and some with major changes. There are more and more sport lights each year and some of the new additions are in the amphib and float plane category. So my first trip was to see the seaplane display. It was a longer than anticipated shuttle ride of thirty minutes each way. Throw in a wait time of about ten minutes and you've spent a good chunk of your day sitting in a bus or van. The "water bugs" were at Lake Parker. It was open to the public and I suspect there were some indigenous creatures anticipating a potential feast...at least if you paid attention to the sign about "protecting" the alligators.
But everybody survived and got to look at some fun airplanes.
The biggest thrill for me, however, came from the FAA booth where three guys, Rogers Shaw, Larry Boshers and Don Demuth were pitching physiological training courses. Being the naive guy that I am, I let them squeeze me
into their enclosed spatial disorientation cockpit, put headsets on me and closed the door.
It all works on the inner ear...and you will experience disorientation like never before. When it was over, the guys congratulated me for killing only myself. Give them a call at 405 954 4837 or check the web site at www.cami.jccbi.gov/aam-400/phys_intro.htm. You'll be glad you did.
I took lots of pictures...you'll see many of them...but now is the time for a few serious comments. There was something missing in this year's Sun 'N Fun. I couldn't quite figure it out until I talked to a few folks who were there. And the consensus was that the EAA Paul envisioned and created is now changing in a more commercial direction. The feeling of camaraderie, of family, just didn't seem to be there. One complaint was that the EAA magazine is now filled with too many ads and the reader comments are dwindling. Maybe it's all a sign of the times. Maybe us old guys are a dying breed. I hope not. And I will be back next year with the same high hopes as always.
I couldn't close this out without showing a picture I took just for Slade.
He asked me to search out This wonderful Ercoupe.
I did it buddy, and left a note in the cockpit for the owner.
Editor's note: This beautiful 1946 Ercoupe 415-D belongs to Syd Cohen of Wausau, Wisconsin. It has won numerous awards as a mint-condition example of these lovable old birds. Syd says the first of the season polish-job takes about 12 hours over two days' time. Mine's painted, so it doesn't take quite so long. Needless to say: Wow. Thanks, Bill.
CAVU!
Bill Larson
Bill took lots more pictures at Sun 'N' Fun. Click here to keep going.
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