Tampa Bay Wing Lakeland, FL
Address:
Lakeland Linder International Airport
4075 James C. Ray Drive
Lakeland, FL 33811
Contact number:
(727) 270-3447
Website:
https://www.caftampabaywing.org
L-26B Aero Commander Ike's Bird More Ike's Bird Info
The factory drawing for Aero Commander serial number 55-4638 is titled “Ike’s Bird”. Built in 1955, the plane and several others were ordered by the government for a special purpose… to carry the President, Vice President and other government officials on short trips. The plane has the distinction of being the smallest aircraft ever to carry the “Air Force One” call sign. The story goes that President Eisenhower took office and refused to use the “Independence”, Harry Truman’s airplane, as his Air Force One. Instead he ordered a Lockheed Constellation as his primary aircraft. But for short trips into and out of his farm grass strip near Gettysburg, PA, the President needed... ...
PT-19 "50" More "50" Info
The Tampa Bay Wing was started in the summer of 2022, applied for a charter in December of 2022, and received a charter in January 2023. What began as a few aviation enthusiasts has grown into over 50 members and is still growing. In February 2024, the Tampa Bay Wing filed for and received approval for our first airplane, a Fairchild PT-19. In May 2024, the PT-19 was flown from California to Florida by Wing members. The Tampa Bay Wing will use our aircraft to continue the CAF mission to Educate, Inspire, and Honor.
The members of the Tampa Bay Wing have already shown a strong commitment to our mission. Their enthusiasm for locating and restoring aircraft has paved the way for educational programs in aircraft maintenance and restoration. These programs, designed to inspire and educate the next generation of pilots and maintenance personnel, stand as a testament to the Wing's dedication to the CAF mission. In collaboration with local Veterans associations, we also plan to honor our Veterans with regional flights and flybys, further strengthening our ties with the community.
Mailing Address: CAF Tampa Bay Wing, 4075 James C. Ray Drive, Lakeland, FL, 33811
Barnstorming Days More Info
September 6, 2025 Fly-in, pancake breakfast/lunch, vintage car show, military vehicles display and airplane rides.
WARBIRD RIDES - Barnstorming Saturday More Info
October 11, 2025 Come join us at Skyport Aviation at Tampa Executive Airport for another day of Airplane Rides in our PT-19 WWII open cockpit trainer, and Ike's Bird - formerly President Eisenhower's Air Force One.
There will also be a car show featuring Classic and Vintage cars, and also Military vehicles from the Florida Military Vehicle Heritage Group.
Ride tickets can be purchased at the event, or on our website at: https://www.caftampabaywing.org/content.aspx?page_id=22...
See you on Saturday, October 11!
Zephyrhills Battle for Veterans More Info
November 7-8, 2025 Thrilling WWII Battle Reenactment Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 PM Expansive Living History Displays inside museum spanning every era of U.S. military history Rare Tanks & Historic Military Vehicles + iconic aircraft exhibits Vast Militaria Marketplace with unique artifacts and collectibles Food Vendors & Family Activities throughout the weekend; and WW II airplane rides for a fee.
Free Admission - Saluting Veterans Day weekend!
Aircraft Poker Run More Info
Aircraft Poker Run on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2023 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Lakeland Linder Airport KLAL: Warbird Ramp . The route is about 140 miles. ALL AGES EVENT | $50.00 PER AIRCRAFT | Fill your empty seats with the crew! BE READY TO EAT | Food Trucks will be on site | Prizes Contact: Ken Hewes 813-431-5290 wingexec@caftampabaywing.org BENEFITING: CAF-Tampa Bay Wing aircraft assignment fund. Help us bring our first aircraft to Lakeland.
Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo More Info
From its humble beginnings in 1974 as a fly-in for sport aviation enthusiasts, the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo has grown into one of the largest and most successful aviation events on earth. We are Florida’s largest annual convention of any kind, and each year over 200,000 visitors flock to what has become known as “Aviation’s Season Opener” or “Spring Break for Pilots.”
CAF Tampa Bay Pancake Breakfast Fly-In& Drive in at Lakeland More Info
CAF-Tampa Bay Wing Pancake Breakfast Saturday, September 7, 2024 Fly-In& Drive in at Lakeland International Airport KLAL
Serving from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM $10.00 Cash/Visa/Mastercard/Discover for breakfast and coffee
Our Fairchild PT-19 will be on display. Get an up-close look at our Military trainer from WWll. The engine cowlings will be removed. Ever seen an inverted engine?
Girls In Aviation Day- Tampa Bay More Info
Girls in Aviation Day is an annual event put on by various chapters of Women in Aviation International with the goal of inspiring young people to expand their interest in aviation and explore the opportunities available in the industry. Sign up to Attend Girls in Aviation Day! Saturday, September 21, 2024 10:00 am - 2:00 pm Sheltair Tampa 4751 Jim Walter Blvd, Hangar 5 Tampa, Florida Girls in Aviation Day is an annual event put on by various chapters of Women in Aviation International with the goal of inspiring young people to expand their interest in aviation and explore the opportunities available in the industry. We are so excited to announce our keynote speakers this... ...
Aircraft Poker Run More Info
$50.00 PER AIRCRAFT Fill your empty seats with the crew! BE READY TO EAT In process OUR PARTNERS: Sun N Fun, Lakeland Linder Airport, Double M Aviation KLAL, SheltAir, Trig Avionics
Prizes: 18 currently: Concorde Battery, AeroLEDs Landing Light, John’s 360 ProBundle, McFarlane GC, Bruce’s Cover, X-Naut iPad Cooler, 5: 6-pack Aeroshell W100PLUS, Flying Eyes Optics GC, Tempest Aero Spark Plugs, MYGOFLIGHT Bag, ICOM Handheld Radio A25N, Mission BBQ Gift Basket. TOTAL: $4,000
Tampa Bay 2nd Annual Aircraft Poker Run More Info
**January 12, 2025** Woo Hoo! No Helene or Milton is going to keep us down! Our 2nd Annual CAF Tampa Bay Poker Run is rescheduled for January 11, 2025! We'll be on the Warbird Ramp like the last time and we have added more prizes to our prize list! Please register on our website at: <https://caftampabaywing.org/content.aspx?page_id=22&club_id=186079&module_id=684960&fbclid=IwY2xjawHrjyxleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHemLPn384Y45zLUXn48BuCzdVNrszC46CAexEE8XRXkaqH-vVe5MTJT-eg_aem_hJGmoXqzJLfnZcnZXod8OA> And, click "going" on our Facebook page so we know you are coming The 2023 CAF-Tampa Bay Wing 1st Annual Poker Run was a great success! In May 2024, the Tampa Bay Wing brought their first... ...
Gator Fly-In and Armes Service Appreciation Day More Info
March 21-22, 2025 CAF-Tampa Bay Wing will operate its PT-19 ride program. The PT-19 is an open-cockpit WWII Primary Trainer. The ride will last approximately 20–25 minutes and cover the Swamp, Paines Parrie, and Newmans Lake.

