'Nervous, but excited': Lakeland student performing in Sun 'n Fun sunset air shows

LAKELAND — A Lakeland student will join professionals performing in the 49th Sun 'n Fun Aerospace Expo's airshows this week.

His first performance is Tuesday night.

Colby Lee, a senior at the Central Florida Aerospace Academy, will be taking to the skies around 7:45 p.m. in a 1947 Piper PA-11 Cub as part of the Sunset Aerial Circus. His first show was scheduled for Tuesday, and the others are Thursday and Friday in Paradise City. The show is part of an effort to bring more performances and nightlife to the event.

"I'm a little nervous, but excited," he said

The plane, built by Lakeland Aero Club students, is rudimentary at best. It's constructed of fabric stretched over plywood with basic instrumentation. It doesn't have any electronic systems, Lee said, with the exception of an electrical starter so he won't have to hand turn the propeller.

Inside Sun 'n Fun:Your Guide to the 49th aerospace expo: Blue Angels, Top Gun and more March 28 - April 2

Expo for students:2023 Sun 'n Fun to launch new youth program, extend Career Fair to fulfill its mission

The Piper Cub doesn't have any lights. Lee said he would not normally be allowed to fly the plane at night, with the exception that Sun 'n Fun has an airspace waiver for the expo.

Mike Zidziunas, president of Lakeland Aero Club, said it's the first time a Lakeland student will fly or perform at any Sun 'n Fun event, to the best of his knowledge. The Lakeland Aero Club pilots have performed at the EEA AirVenture Oshkosh show in Wisconsin, but not at home.

The most advanced piece of equipment Lee will have onboard will be a new certified digital copilot created by AeroSys, dubbed "Goose," Zidziunas said. It's an artificially intelligent voice assistant that walks pilots through a checklist for takeoff and landing, much like a human co-pilot would.

Lee said he will take off with assistance from "Goose" with a Tom Cruise impersonator sitting in the co-pilot seat. Audio clips from "Top Gun" movies will be broadcast, allowing the impersonator to interact with Goose, which is the name of the co-pilot played by actor Anthony Edwards in the 1986 original.

New at Sun 'n Fun:From improved night life and shows, to a touch of The Islands: Here's what's new at Expo

Expo pilots:'The most fun you can have in an airplane': Pilots and aircraft arrive at Sun 'n Fun

It's a unique opportunity for the "Top Gun" fan.

"Growing up, it was one of my favorite movies," he said. "My grandfather having been a Navy pilot, he would show it to us."

Lee said he grew up hearing military stories from his grandfather. It was largely what inspired him to become a pilot from an early age.

"I've pretty much always wanted to be a pilot," he said.

Lee obtained his first pilot's license to operate gliders when he was 16 in October 2020, before earning his private pilot's license. He estimated he has spent at least 50 hours piloting the Piper Cub he'll fly in this week's shows.

Next year, Lee plans to attend Auburn University. His goal is to commission in the U.S. Navy and serve as a naval aviator.

Sara-Megan Walsh can be reached at swalsh@theledger.com or 863-802-7545. Follow on Twitter @SaraWalshFl.