Here’s a Preview of Expected Attractions at the EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh 2026
The Royal Air Force’s flight demonstration team, the Red Arrows, will perform in the sky over Oshkosh during the last weekend of AirVenture 2026
Information from official EAA and participant press releases, plus photos by Ken Kula
Editor’s note: The 250th birthday of the United States is the theme during the 2026 edition of the EAA’s AirVenture Oshkosh. It’s shaping up to be a memorable birthday party at “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration”. Here’s a quick look at a few of the themes and the scores of performers expected to be seen at AirVenture this year.
MILITARY FLIGHT DEMONSTRATION TEAMS
A photo from last year’s USMC F-35B flight demonstration… the legendary AV-8B Harrier will be retired this year and the Marine Corps F-35B will carry on the VTOL flight tradition at AirVenture 2026
The U. S. Army’s Golden Knights will drop in…
The USAF’s F-22A Raptor Demo team will thunder into Oshkosh again this year
Other U. S. military performers include the Air Force’s Pacific Air Force C-17 transport from Hawaii, a demonstration of the North American Air Defense Command’s (NORAD) fighter intercept techniques and a combined arms display from the Wisconsin National Guard.
The Red Arrows will appear in the United Stated to celebrate the 250th year of our country’s birth
The Royal Air Force’s Red Arrows are celebrating their 62nd year of flying displays in 2026, utilizing their well-known red and white Hawk T.1 trainers. “The Red Arrows have long been on the list of teams that aviation enthusiasts have wanted to see at Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “The team’s extended U.S. tour schedule fortunately allowed them to include AirVenture on their itinerary, so they can be added to the legendary flight teams that have flown at Oshkosh. We welcome them to our event and eagerly anticipate their extraordinary aerial performances.”
COMMERCIAL AND COMMEMORATIVE FLIGHT OPERATIONS
Another appearance of a Goodyear airship is expected this year
Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight will continue the tradition:
“Missions of Honor’s Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight honors veterans as part of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 activities… Vietnam vets will return home from D.C. day trip at conclusion of July 24 air show… One of the most emotional and poignant moments each year at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh returns in 2026 as 100 Vietnam War vets take a Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., on July 24 as part of AirVenture’s annual salute to veterans. The 73rd annual Experimental Aircraft Association fly-in convention is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. Veterans from the Vietnam War will be honored as they travel to the nation’s capital to tour war memorials at no cost to them. The veterans will return to Oshkosh at the conclusion of the Friday afternoon air show and thousands of people will welcome them back home and give them the recognition they deserve… American Airlines is again supplying an aircraft for the flight, which is flown by an all-volunteer crew of American Airlines pilots and cabin attendants.
The Red Bull Air Force aircraft will be quite visible this year, including this BO-105 and an eagerly awaited visit of their European-based P-38 Lightning and DC-6
From a Red Bull Team media release regarding two of their foreign participants: “Two true character aircraft were chosen for this adventure, both of which are ready for takeoff in every respect: the Douglas DC-6B and the iconic Lockheed P-38 Lightning. Both will cross the Atlantic under their own power, flying in stages via England, Iceland and Newfoundland in Canada to New York. From there, the DC-6 will continue on a round trip along the East Coast, while both aircraft prepare for their much-anticipated appearance in Oshkosh. A particularly emotional highlight will be the P-38’s return to the United States. For decades, the aircraft thrilled fans as White Lightning at the Reno Air Races before making its way to Europe. “We’re bringing her back home,” says Airshow Coordinator Simon Pircher, “and we’re giving fans a complete P-38 display – something you almost never see in America.” “
Organizations that provide humanitarian relief and more through aviation will return to EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 as the popular Public Benefit Flying area will be part of the 73rd edition of the EAA fly-in July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh.
The aircraft, crews, and organizations that supply aid to victims of natural disasters, war, famine, and other emergencies around the globe will be part of the presentations, along with aircraft on and near Boeing Plaza at the center of the AirVenture grounds. The display will also feature a pavilion that allows current pilots to explore volunteer possibilities and register to help any one of the many organizations represented.
“In 2025, more than 1,500 pilots registered at Oshkosh to become part of public benefit flying, whether that is bringing relief supplies to disaster-stricken areas, flying cancer patients to their appointments, or even moving rescue animals across the country,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “This groundswell showed the great spirit of the general aviation community to be there when needed in any possible way to benefit those in need.”
The Air Care Alliance will again coordinate the participating organizations at Oshkosh, as it represents more than 50 groups dedicated to delivering impactful and inspiring service through aviation. It will again welcome all pilots to learn more about the nationwide opportunities available to serve others by using their aviation skills. Non-pilots are also welcome to visit during AirVenture to discover more about the multitude of ways that aviation uses local airports and benefits local communities.
Rotorcraft and vertical lift technology will be the featured highlights at the new EAA Vertical Lift Center to be unveiled during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026. The 73rd EAA fly-in convention is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport.
“While homebuilt rotorcraft have long been a judged category at Oshkosh and we’ve always welcomed other rotorcraft, drones, and similar technology as part of the world of flight, the EAA Vertical Lift Center is a unique area that focuses on this unique segment and its potential,” said Ren Scott, EAA’s vice president of business development, sales, and events. “Working with Robinson Helicopter and VAI brings the expertise in this area that connects the rotorcraft and vertical lift communities with the international visibility available only at Oshkosh.”
As announced at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2025, this area will feature an emphasis on helicopters and VTOL aircraft as part of a partnership with the Robinson Helicopter Company and Vertical Aviation International (VAI), a membership organization dedicated to supporting the vertical lift industry. The dedicated space within AirVenture’s Aviation Gateway Park will display aircraft as well as promote rotorcraft education, industry recruitment, and innovative technology in the vertical lift industry.
“Vertical aviation is entering a period of fast growth and real change, and the new Vertical Lift Center at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh gives us a high-visibility place to show the public where this sector is headed,” said François Lassale, president and CEO of Vertical Aviation International. “VAI is proud to partner with Robinson Helicopter Company and EAA to highlight the full spectrum of vertical lift, from today’s rotorcraft operations to emerging VTOL technologies, while inspiring the next generation of pilots, maintainers, and engineers who will power this industry upward.”
WARBIRD NEWS…
Boeing B-29 “DOC” will appear again
“As AirVenture is the world’s largest annual gathering of warbirds, we’re very happy to be welcoming the B-29 Doc back to Oshkosh,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “This B-29 is always a big favorite on Boeing Plaza when it appears in Oshkosh, especially as it is one of only two flying examples in the world of the legendary aircraft.”
Team Titan will perform in their AT-6 Texans
Vickey Benzing in her Plum Crazy P-51 Mustang, one of a number of warbirds with unique histories which will attend in 2026
The ultra-rare Consolidated PB4Y will join the Commemorative Air Force’s B-24 Liberator on static display at the Boeing Plaza
Bernie Vasquez will put this Republic P-47 Thunderbolt through its paces during several afternoon air shows
Warbird participation is an exciting subject on various social media platforms; and while not always from official sources, larger than normal groups of World War II aircraft like B-25 and A-26 bombers and P-51 Mustang fighters may be surprise attractions due to their large number of airframes in attendance. The DeHavilland Canada Chipmunk first flew 80 years ago, and a large group is expected to attend too.
ANTIQUE AND CLASSIC AIRCRAFT
Spirit of St. Louis replica hanging in the EAA Museum
“‘Celebrating the Freedom of Flight’ will focus on the unique role aviation has played in America’s progress since that first flight of the Wright brothers in 1903,” said Rick Larsen, EAA’s vice president of communities and member programs, who coordinates AirVenture features and attractions. “Be it innovations by individuals or colossal accomplishments by the nation’s companies and our military, America’s leadership role in the progress of flight has been a remarkable part of our nation’s history that we’ll celebrate at Oshkosh.”
That focus at AirVenture will cover the more than 120 years since the first flights at Kitty Hawk, starting with the “Pioneers of Flight” exhibits and program covering powered aviation’s first 25 years, to the latest fighter jets, unmanned aircraft, and spaceflights that showcase cutting-edge technology. That theme will be represented on the main Boeing Plaza ramp and during the daily air shows, as well as in evening programming at Theater in the Woods and at the Fly-In Theater.
Among the original aircraft, reproductions, and replicas initially confirmed for the display are:
1907 Demoiselle – Alberto Santos-Dumont design, replica built by Club Aéro des Garrigues in France
1909 Blériot XI – First aircraft design to successfully fly the English Channel
1915 Morane-Saulnier Type L – Replica WWI fighter built by Daher and Moraine-Saulnier employees
1916 Standard J-1 – Restored to flying condition by EAA volunteers in 2013-14
1927 Swallow biplane – Early air mail biplane that still flies passengers at EAA’s Pioneer Airport
1927 Spirit of St. Louis reproduction – Built by EAA to flying condition to honor Charles Lindbergh
In addition, individual areas at EAA AirVenture will feature unique aspects of America’s preeminent role in aviation. That includes the remarkable civilian aviation progress represented by the “Class of ‘46” general aviation aircraft in the Vintage area and red, white, and blue paint schemes on amateur-built aircraft on the grounds
AIR SHOW EXTRAVAGANZAS
Nathan Hammond will entertain during the day and nighttime airshows. The evening/nighttime air shows have become amazing pyrotechnic performances
Seven daily hours-long air shows, plus a pair of evening displays will feature world-renowned performers from around the world. A wide range of aircraft, from homebuilt to modern composite designs will fill the sky with smoke and noise while pyrotechnics on the ground will add to the excitement.
The Northern Stars from Canada will again grace the sky in their Pitts Specials
Skip Stewart will present aerobatics in Prometheus 2
Team Redline in their Van’s RV-8s
Eric Edgren performs aerobatics in a Taylorcraft
Ed Hamill’s Folds of Honor Pitts at rest
R J Ritter in his Decathalon
Australian aerobatic star Paul Bennet in his Wolf Pitts Special
The week-long celebration of flight will begin on Monday, July 20th. If you can’t attend AirVenture, be sure to check these pages for our daily recap of much of the action here at Photorecon.net – updated every evening!
