Gallery: 2026 EAA AirVenture Draws Record Crowds And New Aircraft

Southwest Airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX “Independence One” was painted in a patriotic livery commemorating the U.S.’ 250th anniversary.

The Titan Aerobatic Team was again a staple of the EAA AirVenture flying displays. The team entertained spectators with precision formation flying in their North American AT-6 Texans.

Pipistrel used AirVenture to introduce the Voyager, a new two-seat trainer designed specifically around the FAA’s new Mosaic regulations. The Voyager builds on lessons learned from Pipistrel’s certified Velis Electro and targets U.S. flight schools seeking a modern training platform equipped with advanced avionics and automation.

Elixir Aircraft kept the wraps, for now, on its next aircraft, part of its Equinox development program, but officials said during AirVenture that it will be built for the training market and will be larger than its Elixir+. The company plans to release details by year-end. Elixir announced three versions of the Elixir+ at the show: the Elixir+ Essential for visual flight rules training and the Elixir+ Expert and Elixir+ Elite, a turbocharged aircraft, for instrument flight rules training.

UK startup Skyfly brought its two-seat Axe eletric vertical-takeoff-and-landing vehicle to the U.S. for the first time. Skyfly displayed a production-intent mockup as the company prepares a redesigned aircraft for transition flight testing. The upgraded Axe sports a substantially revised propulsion system, an updated battery pack and redesigned cockpit.

Italian manufacturer Tecnam previewed its next aircraft by peeling a black cloth away from a sculpture, which revealed the aircraft’s name, Rivale (“rival” or “competitor” in Italian). Tecnam offered few details other than that it will be powered by Continental’s V-6 CD-300 diesel engine and come equipped with Garmin’s new G2000 Prime avionics, Beringer wheels and brakes, Michelin tires and CAV’s TKS deicing system. Tecnam plans to disclose more details in 2027.

CubCrafters announced the Carbon Cub ULT, the next evolution of its Carbon Cub UL aircraft, ahead of AirVenture and featured it during the show. Customer deliveries are slated to begin in 2027. The UL designation reflects its compatibility with unleaded fuel, while the “T” stands for turbine. The aircraft is powered by TurboTech’s TP-R90 FADEC-controlled turboprop engine. The Carbon Cub ULT is the first U.S.-built turboprop aircraft eligible to be flown bysport pilots under the FAA’s new Mosaic regulations, CubCrafters says.

RJ Gritter flew his Bellanca Decathlon in an aerobatic routine during the evening air show.

Israeli startup AIR showcased a production version of its AIR ONE two-seat electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing vehicle as the company prepares to commercialize the design under the FAA’s new Mosaic rule while ramping up production of an uncrewed cargo variant for defense customers. The production-intent aircraft replaces the company’s earlier flying prototype and is designed for serial manufacturing.

AirVenture’s 40th annual Kiddie Pedal Plane Parade, sometimes called PedalVenture, drew more than 60 youngsters “piloting” hand-crafted pedal planes.

A U.S. Air Force C-5M Super Galaxy strategic transport aircraft was a popular display at Boeing Plaza during AirVenture. The aircraft has a maximum payload of 285,000 lb. and a maximum gross takeoff weight of 840,000 lb.