I was visiting our good friends at Piper Aircraft‘s display near show center this afternoon when the storm hit.
We all knew that the forecast included thunderstorms to roll through the area. Even as we chatted about Piper’s new program to bundle initial flight training with the purchase of a new Archer, the sky darkened in the distance and everything got buttoned up as the rain got started.
As the rain intensified, and the wind picked up, the conversation started veering to the weather… until we finally got the picture that this was not just the usual airshow afternoon thunder-boomer…
I wish I could share some cool weather channel worthy video of what the storm looked like from inside that tent. But the truth is, I was too busy trying to find something solid to hunker down next to. You know that guy who stands outside in the middle of a hurricane, just to get the shot? That’s not me.
Soon wind was whipping the rain into horizontal sheets, and blowing into the tent from any gaps. I could see the prop of the static display mock-up actually start to spin in the wind.
The fact that we were all standing in a tent rated for 40 mile per hour winds became a point of discussion. By the time the first airplane tumbled through the display area, it was clear we weren’t going anywhere. All we could do was wait it out.
It was only after the winds subsided that I came out from cover to snap some pictures. Here’s what it looked like soon after the cell came through.
I’ve got to give props to the gaggle of social media types typically gather around SUN ‘n FUN Radio. When the power went out and the radio transmitter went off the air, everyone stepped up immediately to help out. A call went out for anyone with emergency medical training to go check the grounds for anyone that needed assistance. Others started posting updates to Twitter. Good job all.
I feel terrible for all the folks who had airplanes damaged or even destroyed today. Mother nature gave us a good smacking. But the aviation community is a tough bunch, and as if to make that point, SUN ‘n FUN will open in the morning at 8am as planned. I look forward to getting on with the show.
