One of the deadliest air disasters in Finland's history occurred this past Easter Sunday. A Comp Air 8 kit-built airplane, that was a few minutes away from dropping skydivers over Jamijarvi Finland, suffered "technical problems", according to one of the survivors. As stated to the interviewing police officers after being released from the hospital with minor injuries. The Comp Air 8 is an experimental kit-built airplane. It is a very rare, small, single engine, all composite, turbo prop aircraft exported from Florida. It was the only one of its kind operating in Finland.
The pilot and 2 skydivers were able to exit the airplane and survive as it spiraled to the ground. The remaining 8 skydivers could not, for unknown reasons, exit the airplane. They consisted of 2 women and 6 men, all from Finland. This story will be updated as more information is released.
The actress Michelle Rodriguez definitely lived up to the title of one of her films and lived Fast and Furious by jumping out of an airplane at the ever popular Skydive Dubai. The host to more and more celebrity skydives. After attending the annual Dubai Beach Polo Cup with fellow F&F co-star Tyrese Gibson and retired football star Diego Maradona, Michelle headed off to the drop zone where she completed her skydive. She has been in Dubai UAE for the last few weeks filming the 7th Fast and Furious film. This was not a first time jump for Michelle, she went skydiving in 2006 at Skydive Perris in Southern California for G4TVs show "Icons".
The annual Sun 'n Fun International Fly In and Expo is celebrating its 40th birthday this week April 1 - 6! Held every year at Florida's Lakeland Linder Regional Airport (LAL). It is one of the largest airshows in the world. If you plan on flying in, don't worry about the airport being full, they have never had to turn airplanes away. The theme for this year is "A Fair in the Air to Remember". Some of the highlights include:
Airshow performers everyday this week
A performance by the Blue Angels - Fri., Sat. & Sun. - April 4-6 (4pm-6pm)
Historic and current aircraft static displays
Take a flight in the world's first mass produced airliner the 1929 Ford Tri-motor ($75)
Attend the 1st annual Dinner with Legends Banquet
Visit 100s of exhibitors including, AOPA, EAA, Pilatus, Beechcraft, Soloy Aviation, Cessna, Piaggio, ForeFlight, Garmin, Flying Magazine, Quest Aircraft, SiriusXM just to name a few.
See one the few Night Airshows in the world. Includes a fireworks show - Sat. April 5 7pm-9pm
Attend the job fair. Recruiters from major, regional and corporate flight departments will be there.
Fly in a B-17 Flying Fortress. 1 of only 11 still flying! ($475)
Hot Air Balloon launch - Sat. April 5 (rides available)
General admission ticket prices are: Adults - $37, Youth (11-17) - $15, 10yrs and under - Free. Preferred seating is an additional $20. Well worth it I think. It gives you seating on the flightline, bag storage, a shade tent, access to bathrooms and free water all day. You can purchase your tickets online here. If you're flying there and have an extra seat or two or if you need a seat, Sun 'n Fun has a page/forum to help you out. Here is the link. Unfortunately I will not be able to make it out there this year. But I hope some of you can!
