A MESSAGE FROM OUR PRESIDENT AND CEO
Hello, SUN ‘n FUN fans! And more importantly, hello, supporters of youth aviation engagement and education! As the President and CEO of the Aerospace Center for Excellence and the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo since March of 2022, I have been privileged to participate in some truly amazing achievements and accomplishments. I take none of the credit, and I share all of the praise for the amazing impact we have made on our local community and the aviation community at large with the amazing team of people I get to work with every day, including the over 3,500 volunteers that make the Expo possible and successful; the 225,000+ visitors, patrons, and young people that interact with us year-round; and the sponsors, partners, and donors who contribute time, capital, and expertise to ensure the long, rich history of our organization continues to thrive, long after we are all gone.
SUN ‘n FUN, the event, has been a staple of our local community and the aviation industry for over half a century. In 2025, we celebrated our 51st annual SUN ‘n FUN. The longevity of this event is only matched by its impact for good. In addition to being a great time to reconnect with friends and experience some world-class airshows and legendary performances, this event is the largest annual fundraiser for the Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE). Net proceeds from this six-day event help ensure that the important mission of ACE, to ENGAGE, EDUCATE, and ACCELERATE this next generation of aerospace professionals, is possible.
ACE is celebrating its 11th year of delivering consistent, relevant, and impactful programming for youth year-round. Since its inception in 2014, ACE has grown to engage over 30,000 students from around central Florida each year. Youth of all ages participate in a variety of programs, all made available at grade/age levels appropriate to their development and interests. From StoryTime in the Florida Air Museum with our youngest kids, all the way up through our James C. Ray Flight Training and Continuing Education Scholarship programs, we get to actively live out our mission on a daily basis.
ACE’s impact extends well beyond the state of Florida. Summer campers hail from different states and different countries because the experience offered here is so rich. In addition, the Aerospace Middle School Curriculum has found its way into over 150 schools in 25 states around the country as well as three countries outside of the United States.
It’s not just about the numbers and the data points though. It’s always about the kids, the teachers, the families, and the communities that we have the opportunity to serve. This annual report showcases the excitement we enjoy and that we hope to continually inspire in learners of all ages through STEM learning and, specifically, through aviation. This report also serves as a public and very heartfelt “THANK YOU” to our donors and sponsors whose generosity keeps ACE aloft and in a constant climb.
As we look to the future, the Aerospace Center for Excellence is ready and able to deliver inspiring programming and events that will build a bright future through aviation. We are only able to embrace this positive future outlook because of your support and your belief in us. Sincerely, thank you for being part of this work that we hold up as our purpose.
Let’s go!
Gene Conrad President and CEO
Fueling the Future of Aerospace Education and Engagement
The Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE) is a non-profit organization dedicated to building and sustaining a pipeline of exemplary pilots, maintenance technicians, aviation administrators, and STEM innovators. Its mission is to Engage, Educate, and Accelerate the next generation of aerospace professionals.
Throughout the year, ACE presents activities and programs that promote life-long learning and inspire creative innovation. Field trips for fifth through eighth grade students provide an opportunity to explore the Florida Air Museum, engage with NOAA’s Science on a Sphere, and learn drone technology.
ACE welcomes the community to regularly scheduled programs such as Wings ‘n Waffles once a month, or StoryTime and STEM Sprouts once a week. Visitors can take flight outside to romp around the Jerry Holland Destination: Aviation Playground. In addition, ACE has developed a middle school curriculum focused on STEM and aviation to support students’ career pathway for aerospace.
Furthermore, ACE provides educational support during and beyond high school by providing scholarships toward several career paths in aviation.
ENGAGE
SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo
The annual SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo is the biggest fundraiser for year-round educational programming at ACE. Year after year, a growing number of visitors learn about the tremendous support that the Aerospace Expo provides to STEM and aerospace education.
The fly-in showcases examples of that educational programming through the Junior ACES program. The Junior ACES program invites youth aged 7 to 17 to enjoy hands-on STEM activities including airplane assembly, flight simulation, and radio building.
More information at flysnf.org
Field Trips at SUN ‘n FUN
2023: 1,843 Students
1,921 Students
2,501 Students
Elizabeth F. Barkley
ACE Timeline
Engaging youth has always been a priority at SUN ‘n FUN. Even before ACE existed! While ACE was formally created in 2014, the mission and vision of ACE has always been an integral part of SUN ‘n FUN’s purpose. As early as 1988, workshops for teachers were held during the fly-in.
Learn more at aceedu.org
Fly-In moved to the southwest side of LAL.
First Fly-In held on the north side of LAL.
The first exhibit building is built on campus.
The construction of the Florida Air Museum!
Florida Air Museum
Watch your custom-designed airplane, helicopter, or balloon come to life on our magical “Draw Alive” digital runway. Climb into the “Crazy Horse” full-motion simulator and take the controls of a legendary P-51 Mustang. And don’t miss what’s new on the horizon: our all-new drone exhibit is landing in July 2025. There’s always something awesome waiting for you at the Florida Air Museum!
Kids Museum Day Museum Tickets Sold 448 ACTIVE MUSEUM MEMBERSHIPS
StoryTime
StoryTime is FREE TO THE PUBLIC. ACE believes that aviation is for everyone and we offer regular programming that invites and welcomes the community to learn and grow collectively.
Total Attendance: 6/30/24 – 6/30/25
3,290 Kids 2,436 Adults
Central Florida Aerospace Academy (CFAA) Program begins on SUN ‘n FUN campus! New CFAA high school constructed & opened.
Lakeland Aero Club (LAC) hangar constructed.
Skylab Innovation Center completed! became the parent organization.
EDUCATE
STEM Sprouts
The success of StoryTime prompted ACE to launch a preschool enrichment program to fill what was clearly a void; STEM Sprouts offers educational programming for Pre-K children and confirms a favorite tag line of ACE: from carseat to cockpit. ACE is committed to exposing children to the magic of learning early and carrying them forward with year over year opportunities – all the way to scholarship awards toward a career in STEM or aviation.
Beginning this fall, an expanded STEM Sprouts will provide programming for Pre-K through 5th grade students. Pre-K students will explore a letter of the alphabet each week and a corresponding aviation concept using hands-on activities. K through 1st grade students will be excited to engage in a deeper understanding of aviation concepts following the aviation alphabet model. Next, 2nd through 3rd grade students will investigate a scientific concept found in Fairy Tales using hands-on learning. Lastly, 4th through 5th grade students will explore aviation-centric themes such as aerodynamics and navigation.
For more information about STEM Sprouts, visit: aceedu.org/programs/ stem-sprouts/
Alongside STEM learning, children also develop early literacy skills and experience social-emotional growth, all within an exceptional environment that includes actual airplanes and beautifully designed indoor and outdoor play spaces. Children lucky enough to learn from Ms. Jennilyn and Ms. Bethanie won’t just be ready for preschool or kindergarten—they’ll be ready for life.
- Jacci Rizzo, STEM Sprouts Parent
Year-Round Field Trips
The 2024–2025 school year for fifth through eighth grade students from Polk County Public schools yielded:
105 Field Trips
3,819 Projected Total Students
Title 1 Schools: 52.86%
Mean % Economically Disadvantaged Students: 91.5%
Mean % Minority Students: 67%
Middle School Curriculum
The Education team at ACE has been committed to producing and distributing a middle school curriculum focused on STEM and aviation. This curriculum serves as a precursor to the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Foundation High School STEM Curriculum that secondary schools across the country have implemented.
In its first year, over 150 schools, representing 4 countries and 25 states, signed up to implement ACE’s middle school curriculum. The curriculum responds to a critical need for students to identify a career in
STEM early in their academic career and be prepared to enter the workforce after high school if they choose. Recent reports generated by the Federal Aviation Administration have indicated that youth are more equipped to secure a job in the aviation field if they have been exposed to the careers at the early age, if they have been mentored, and if their academic coursework has been modeled after a career pathway. ACE’s middle school curriculum responds to all those significant components of ensuring students have a clear path to a successful career in aviation.
Summer Camps
We have inspired and motivated young people from around the world. ACE provides a safe, fun, and engaging environment that promotes hands-on learning while fostering excitement in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through aviation.
240 Kids Enrolled 176 Kids on the Wait-List
She Can Fly! immerses girls in middle school into the world of aerospace! Campers are introduced to various aerospace careers such as airport designers, pilots, engineers, air traffic controllers, airport managers, A&P mechanics and more! STEMtastic fascinates elementary school students who participate in hands-on activities, science experiments, presentations and much more! Destination Aviation exposes campers to ALL aviation-related career fields. Campers dive into the world of aviation through experimental learning oppportunities, hands-on activities, flight simulation, and the opportunity to participate in a local exploratory flight with a certified flight instructor. Future Engineer gives high school aged campers the opportunity to design and create projects while discovering underlying engineering principles and processes. Take Flight is intended for those who plan to pursue their private pilot’s certificate. Campers will participate in accelerated ground school sessions and explore topics such as: principles of flight, flight controls, and weight and balance. At the end of the week, campers will fly in a general aviation aircraft with a certified flight instructor.
Our selection of summer camps have been sold out with a waiting list each year for the last three years!
ACCELERATE
Lakeland Aero Club
The Lakeland Aero Club is an extraordinary opportunity for students to apply what they learned in the classroom; they can explore a variety of facets of aviation including powered and glider flight, aircraft maintenance, and aviation safety. Moreover, they learn and practice teamwork, initiative, and communication. Student members of the Lakeland Aero Club have flown to EAA AirVenture in Oshkosh, WI almost every year! They flew over in J-3 Cubs that they built in the LAC hangar on the SUN ‘n FUN campus. Chase Lee, Engagement Director who oversees LAC, shares, “LAC provides a space for students with a passion for aviation to be given responsibilities that have consequences. They learn that details matter and paying attention to what they do keeps them accountable to all involved –themselves, each other, and the bigger SUN ‘n FUN organization. They learn that they represent the whole, not just a part.”
NEW: ACE After School
ACE After School, a new expansion of our program, is a safe space to learn without the pressure of school and grades! Students get actively involved in: engineering design challenges, science experiments, technology to enhance their learning, and presentations from professionals in STEM-related fields. Our goal is to provide students with opportunities to find what they love, so they can pursue it and let it propel them toward their future!
Scholarships
ACE manages several scholarships including the James C. Ray Flight Training Scholarship that awards two students a month to support their journey toward earning their Private Pilot certificate. ACE also manages the James C. Ray Continuing Education Scholarship that provides support for students headed to a post-secondary institution to further their academic career in aviation. 187
Almost $100,000 disbursed every year to students receiving the James C. Ray Continuing Education Scholarship!
$24,000 is allocated to Private Pilot Scholarships each month.
TOTAL NUMBER OF PILOT CERTIFICATES EARNED:
30–40 in progress on average
Layton Bracey | Frontier Airlines Pilot | James C. Ray Alumni
Becoming a pilot can cost upward of $100,000 so it scares a lot of people away. I got the bug for flying at age 11 when my uncle, a private pilot, took me to SUN ‘n FUN. At 14, I received the James C. Ray scholarship. I joined the Lakeland Aero Club at ACE and gained a lot of experience building, restoring, and flying aircraft. I’d show up for school and help rebuild an engine or change a plane’s tire. I also attended ACE’s summer camps... until I was old enough to get my private pilot’ts license just after my 17th birthday!
Where Are They Now?
Angel Castellanos
An early recipient of the James C. Ray Scholarship in 2011, Angel began his aviation journey at Central Florida Aerospace Academy and quickly advanced through flight training, earning multiple ratings and becoming a Certified Flight Instructor by age 19. He built experience working at Tailwheels and Via Airlines before joining Endeavor Air in 2018 and later United Airlines in 2022 as a First Officer on the Boeing 737. Angel credits the scholarship for launching his aviation career, stating it made flight training financially possible and connected him with a supportive aviation community. His future goals include returning to General Aviation, volunteering, flying aerobatics competitively, and piloting warbirds.
Juksana “Jenny” Mai Ngam
Juksana earned the James C. Ray Scholarship in 2019 and achieved her Private Pilot’s License at age 18 while attending Central Florida Aerospace Academy. She went on to graduate summa cum laude from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University with a degree in Human Factors Psychology. In May 2025, she earned her master’s degree in Human Factors from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Jenny interned with the FAA, Boeing, and NASA, gaining valuable experience in aviation safety, ergonomic assessments, and the integration of new technologies into the national airspace. Her flight training sparked a passion for human factors, leading her to focus on improving cockpit design and pilot performance.
Brian Werner
Brian began his aviation journey at age 16 after receiving the James C. Ray Scholarship, earning his Private Pilot’s License on his 17th birthday while attending Central Florida Aerospace Academy. He went on to complete his Instrument rating in 2016 and earned his Commercial License in 2019, followed by his Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate in 2020. Brian instructed at Legends Airways and added his CFII in 2021 to further support student pilots. In May 2022, he began Undergraduate Pilot Training with the U.S. Air Force at Laughlin Air Force Base in Texas, graduating in August 2023. He now flies the T-38C Talon as an Air Force pilot, continuing to advance his aviation career in military service.
Partner Spotlight
Redbird Flight Simulations
In 2021, ACE partnered with Redbird to build the Redbird Flight Simulation Laboratory in our newly constructed Skylab Innovation Center. This unique learning laboratory features 20 Redbird Jay flight sims, designed to engage and immerse visitors, particularly young people, in the world of flight. The training equipment also includes two Redbird LD sims, approved by the FAA as Advanced Aviation Training Devices (AATDs), enabling us to provide real-world, loggable flight instruction to our own scholarship award winners as well as members of the public.
Piedmont Airlines
Piedmont is actually one of the oldest airlines in U.S. history, having started operations in 1931. Today, the company operates as a regional airline, wholly owned by American Airlines and operating as American Eagle. Piedmont is dedicated to providing everyone with an opportunity to enter the aviation industry. Their year-round support, both financial and altruistic, has led to the success of many awesome program offerings at ACE, including Polar Express: Air Mail Edition, StoryTime in the Florida Air Museum, and our amazing Summer Camps, just to name a few.
Visit Central Florida
As Polk County’s official tourism and marketing management organization, Visit Central Florida aims to give our region a meaningful presence in the global marketplace while bringing increased prosperity to the county. They are a longtime supporter of the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo, helping us expand our reach in marketing for this amazing event. Their year-round support helps us spread the word about our programming and impact, both locally and elsewhere. Visit Central Florida and their entire team constantly advocate on our behalf and ensure that our local and state governments are aware of the incredible economic benefits and community impact we offer the Central Florida region.
Lakeland International Airport
Lakeland International Airport is more than just our homebase; the City of Lakeland and particularly the airport team are critical partners in our ability to even offer the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo. The support of the Lakeland International Airport, as well as support from our other municipal partners in the county, makes it possible for us to offer free field trip opportunities, including bus transportation, to every 5th though 8th grade student enrolled in Polk County Public Schools. The ACE field trip program has exposed over 10,000 students to aviation and aviation careers, just in the last three years.
It is often said that “it takes a village to raise a child.” In many ways, it takes a village of partners to raise the bar on access to and opportunities in the aviation industry. The Aerospace Center for Excellence is extremely fortunate to count these four partners as part of that village. There are so many others— businesses, foundations, families, and individuals—who believe in our mission to Engage, Educate, and Accelerate the Next Generation of Aerospace Professionals. We sincerely could not accomplish the work we do or enjoy the tremendous impact our work has on our local and larger aviation communities without the support of all our partners, sponsors, donors, and fellow believers.
Thank you all for fueling our commitment to building a brighter future through aviation!
ENGAGE, EDUCATE & ACCELERATE
REIMAGINING THE FLORIDA AIR MUSE
Over the last three years, the Aerospace Center for Excellence and the SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo doubled down on addressing the need for an awesome customer experience that lasted beyond just the six-day footprint of the Expo – something meaningful that extended throughout the whole calendar year and really made a difference in the lives of our local and extended aerospace communities. As the next outworking of that effort, we are delighted to unveil exciting plans to dramatically improve our Aerospace Pavillion, truly making it a year-round event destination space, and our Florida Air Museum, where we live our motto that “Aviation is for Everyone” by introducing a completely reimagined guest experience!
Please join the efforts to ensure a bright and amazing future for the next generation of aerospace professionals by donating to our campaign.
4075 James C. Ray Dr. Lakeland, FL 33811