I grew up an airline brat. My father started in a Stearman in Douglas, Georgia in 1941 and ended up with National Airlines through 1986. My love for the Stearman started at a very early age, seeing my father in old pictures and having him point out the Stearman at airshows . At sixteen I began working as an aircraft mechanic's helper, and that's also when I started my flying career. At 17, my father and I bought a Cessna 120, which I still have today.

I then worked in the aircraft restoration business, building custom aircraft in Lake Placid, Florida where I earned my Airframe & Powerplant mechanics license in 1980. I also achieved my pilots licenses through Multi-Engine Instrument, Seaplane. I then attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

After graduation in 1983, I flew night freight in Convair 440's. I towed banners for a summer and then worked for a commuter airline in Atlanta. I was hired with Piedmont Airlines in 1985 and somewhere around 13,000 hours later I have flown the 737,727, 757 & 767. I have flown Captain on the DC-9, MD-80, 737, and most recently the Airbus 319,320, & 321.

The start of something great began in 1998 with my buddy Grady, drinking rum drinks as everyone departed and some obnoxious guy across from us (Lites), has evolved into a huge production. Sun N Fun is now weeks of prior planning for donations of beer, food, logistics of our caravan of vehicles and trailers, set up, positioning aircraft, and etc.

Many changes have taken place over the years. Coconut Flyers is fortunate to have a phenomenal crew that works tirelessly from early morning until. For a few of us, early the next morning, and yes unwinding riding around in the Nash at Midnight counts. Over the years Coconut Flyers has been able to give back to Sun N Fun via YOUR donations. This year we gave back $26,000 to the Aerospace Center for Excellence. All indications are that Coconut Flyers will be able to give back even more in 2024. Over the last few years and as our humble abode continues to grow I contemplate passing the torch to someone else. I then reacquaint with our Sun N Fun family, get home and see what we have accomplished and begin planning for next year. This year saw changes that were for the good and made things easier on our entire crew. I passed the keys to our little Nash Car, known as "The Sun N Fun President's Staff Car" onto "Lites" ( The former SNF President.) Not to worry, it will still be a mainstay at the show.

Thank you Georgie for organizing and maintaining sanity amongst a lot of craziness. Thank you to all my close friends that are mainstays now for years with Coconut Flyers, that volunteer on their vacation, days off, travel on their own, drive vehicles, make signs, cook, etc etc. We could not do this year after year without your help. I would list everyone but I would forget someone and would feel horrible so to the entire Coconut Flyers Sun N Fun 2023 crew..."THANK YOU!" To my wife Paige who began this crazy ride in a two person tent, THANK YOU for your continued support, your patience, and the true love that you show to all of our Coconuts that pass through. Thank you so very much for the continuing support of the Sun N Fun organization and most of all our supporters, we could not and would not do it, if it were not for you. See you in 2024!

Cheers, Captain Coconut

COCONUT FLYERS SUPPORTING SUN 'N FUN AEROSPACE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE

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COCONUT FLYERS SUPPORTING SUN 'N FUN AEROSPACE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE

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