Articles and Pictures by Ted Luebbers
If you want to fly into Seaplane-A-Palooza in Tavares, Florida ( FA1 ) and spend three festive days attending this annual splash-in at America’s Seaplane City, you should be making your plans now.
Seaplane-A-Palooza is always held the weekend before Sun’n Fun, the second largest air show in the country which is held in Lakeland, Florida. This year the splash-in will take place starting on the afternoon of April 9, 2021 and continue through Saturday and Sunday, April 10 and 11.
This event is always considered a prelude to Sun’n Fun, so many seaplane pilots like to come early for the whole weekend, then leave on Monday morning for the short one-hour flight to Lakeland.
This year is going to seem like a party. Many different seaplanes to look at, aviation vendors, Seaplane Bingo with great prizes and flying contests, such as watermelon bombing. On top of all that, there will be barbecues and plenty of live music each day. They are planning to have a night flying spectacular and fireworks.
Tavares offers overnight accommodations and restaurants close to Wooton Park on the shore of Lake Dora downtown and close to the action. For more information on hotels check out < www.americasseaplanecity
Tavares has put in a new seaplane friendly dock that doesn’t have any pilings sticking up in the air to catch wings or struts. It also has a new rubber rub rail and a skirt that goes down to the surface of the water so that floats can’t get caught under the dock.
There is plenty of room to nose into the grassy beach and two large ramps to accommodate the amphibians. One of those ramps will have 90 octane and 100 LL fuel pumps. Call the seaplane base on Unicom 122.975 as you approach.
Because of the Covid 19 pandemic, masks are recommended as well as social distancing. Hand sanitizing stations will be available.
Come early, stay late and have a good time.
