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2025 Aviation Week Photo Contest: Entries From Sun 'n Fun

Michael Lavitt April 16, 2025
U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels in flight
Credit: Ken Hunt/Valrico, Florida

The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels streak over Warbird Country before turning in for a low pass over the main runway at Sun ‘n Fun 2025.

U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels in flight
Credit: Jeffrey Lamarche/College Grove, Tennessee

Blue Angels 5 and 6 make a close pass during one of the daily air shows that thrilled record-setting crowds.

U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels in flight
Credit: Jeffrey Lamarche/College Grove, Tennessee

The Blue Angels break during their final pass of the day before the crowd at Sun ‘n Fun 2025.

Lockheed Martin F-35
Credit: AJ Borromeo/Cutler Bay, Florida

A Lockheed Martin F-35 flies by the crowd with the doors to its empty weapon bays open.

Lockheed Martin F-35 in flight
Credit: Jeffrey Lamarche/College Grove, Tennessee

A Lockheed Martin F-35 passes by the Moon, its exhaust blurring the edge.

Lockheed Martin F-35
Credit: Steven Chesnick/Blue Bell, Pennsylvania

A Lockheed Martin F-35 makes a steep climb in afterburner before the crowd.

Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules
Credit: Shawn Anderson/Dorado, Puerto Rico

The U.S. Navy’s Lockheed Martin C-130J Super Hercules nicknamed “Fat Albert” transports support crew and equipment for the Blue Angels.

U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels in flight
Credit: AJ Borromeo/Cutler Bay, Florida

The U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels zoom above the Sun ‘n Fun crowds.

Aircraft exhaust
Credit: Troy Anderson/Wanship, Utah

Exhaust from a Lockheed Martin F-35 turning in toward the crowd distorts the golden-hued cloud behind it.

pilot’s cap on cockpit
Credit: Paul Bartell/Phoenix

A pilot’s cap with goggles and headset rests on the edge of the cockpit of a World War II-vintage fighter.

biplane releases smoke
Credit: Steven Chesnick/Blue Bell, Pennsylvania

A biplane releases smoke during a flying display at Sun ‘n Fun.

warbirds in flight
Credit: Paul Bartell/Phoenix

Three warbirds return to their temporary base at Sun ‘n Fun at dusk.

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Military aircraft, warbirds, general aviation pilots and others descended on Lakeland Linder International Airport in Lakeland, Florida, this month for Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo, one of the largest air shows in the U.S.  

The event transforms the airport, normally the 100th-busiest in the U.S., into the busiest for one week each year. 

Sun ‘n Fun 2025, the event’s 51st year, saw record visitors at more than 200,000 attendees—so many that on the show’s final weekend, the event was sold out in advance. 

The event also allowed for an early kickoff of the Aviation Week 2025 Photo Contest. Photographers were invited to a free seminar called “Shoot to Win,” where they received tips on technique, strategy and equipment from professional photographer Erik Kuna as well as information on what the judges look for as they review entries and an overview of the contest’s rules from Photo Contest Director Mike Lavitt. 

This gallery features photos taken at Sun ‘n Fun and submitted to the Aviation Week Photo Contest. See last year’s winners, editors’ picks and special galleries at AviationWeek.com/photo-contest.  

Michael Lavitt

Michael O. Lavitt, Director of Editorial Content Production for Aviation Week, has extensive experience in both traditional print and new media. He began his career as a reporter with daily newspapers, worked on developing online services in Chicago and New York in the mid-1980s and then joined Aviation Week & Space Technology as a news editor.

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Aviation Week 2024 Photo Contest Winning Entries
2024 Aviation Week Photo Contest Editors’ Picks: General Aviation
2024 Aviation Week Photo Contest Editors' Picks: Defense
2024 Aviation Week Photo Contest: Military Rotary-Wing Aircraft

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