Summary: It’s Day 5 at SUN ‘n FUN 2012, and today we start with a balloon launch – sorta. I’m David Allen, and I’m about to bring you into the cockpit … of Other People’s Airplanes. Each year at the SUN ‘n FUN Fly-In & Expo, a hot air balloon launch takes place on Saturday morning of the event – weather permitting, of course. Unfortunately, the weather today did not cooperate. In only the 3rd time in 15 years, officials elected to cancel the “Hare and Hound” balloon race, but not before a bunch of the beautiful airships were fully inflated. Next we watch some airplanes fly for a bit before talking with my friend Steve Oliver of Oliver’s Flying Circus. Steve owns a 1928 New Standard D-25. It has been fully restored to its factory quality, and Steve’s team now “hops rides” much like the barnstormers did back in the 1920s and 30s. Steve shares a couple of stories about smiling faces and special times folks have had flying in this incredible open-air biplane. This part of the show is pretty long-winded, but the stories were so great that I really wanted to share them with you. Finally, we talk with Rich and Cole about their father/son experience in the New Standard D-25. Pure. Freaking. Magic.
