Paul McCowan Sun 'N Fun 2009

This was the thirty-fifth year for the Sun 'N Fun Airshow at Lakeland Florida's Linder Regionlal Airport.
http://www.sun-n-fun.org/

Traditionally the airshow performances begin with the "flag-drop".
Recently, Paul McCowan's E TEAM SKYDIVERS http://www.eteamskydivers.com/ have performed the honors, typically flawlessly.

This year the flag, (packed like a parachute), failed to deploy properly.
You might think this is no big deal unless you realize that the flag and ballast weigh more than 140 lbs.
and at 5,000 sq. ft. has more than twice the area of a DC3 wing, and only 11 ft. less area than the wing of a Boeing 747 !
All of that flapping about on the end of a tether might prove a "little inconvenient" for Paul !

Posted by Alias on Mon, 05/11/09 21:35
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Comments by Alias on Mon, 05/11/09 21:36

Fortunately Paul got it straightened out in time for a perfect landing right on the target.

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Comments by Jan Bjorklund on Mon, 05/11/09 22:11

Just jumping out of a plane with a parachute on my back would be enough to put my heart in my throat but then to be carrying a 140 payload which didn't open properly and having to struggle with would likely give me a heart attack. I really like the second image with the big American flag set against a blue sky but that first picture is worth the price of admission... and better him than me since obviously he didn't panic.


Comments by Alias on Sat, 05/16/09 09:54

Thank you, Jan

Paul virtually invented the giant flag parachute drop, so he is at ease, but I agree with you !
For a sense of scale:

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Comments by Alias on Sat, 05/16/09 09:57

The flag drop is traditionally followed by a parade of WW ll warbirds here are only a few:

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Comments by les perry on Sun, 05/17/09 17:25

Nice series, bright colourful, perhaps summer is on the way