General Aviation News writer and photographer Megan Vande Voort sent in these photos captured throughout the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 grounds of planes painted to celebrate America’s 250th birthday.
Airshows & Fly-Ins
Tecnam Unveils Rivale
During EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026, Tecnam revealed the first physical design elements of its new aircraft program: The Tecnam Rivale. Showcased through a 3,000-pound stainless steel sculpture, the Rivale will feature Continental’s new V6 engine.
Elixir Aircraft Expands Lineup With New Elixir+ Family
During EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026, Elixir Aircraft unveiled its new Elixir+ family of training aircraft, featuring the Essential, Expert, and Elite configurations designed to support every stage of pilot training.
Picture of the Day: A Crowd Favorite
General Aviation News writer and photographer Frederick A. Johnsen sent in this photo with a note: “A T-28 taxis past the crowd on opening day of EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026.”
Video: Autonomous Caravan Lands at Oshkosh
Merlin successfully completed what is believed to be the first autonomous landing of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft in EAA AirVenture history. Watch a Cessna 208B Grand Caravan equipped with the AI-powered Merlin Pilot land safely at the world’s largest aviation gathering in Oshkosh.
Oklahoma Pilot Wins Young Eagles Leadership Award
Patrick Cohenour, an Oklahoma-based pilot with EAA Chapter 24, has been awarded the 2026 Phillips 66 Aviation EAA Young Eagles Leadership Award. Recognized at AirVenture, Cohenour was celebrated for his lifelong passion for flight and dedication to inspiring the next generation of aviators.
Kitfox Aircraft Unveils the Patriot Fox
Kitfox Aircraft has introduced the Patriot Fox, a special edition aircraft that honors America’s aviation heritage. Unveiled at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026, the aircraft builds upon the Kitfox Series 7 platform, offering STOL performance, backcountry capability, and builder customization.
Picture of the Day: Seen At Oshkosh
General Aviation News writer and photographer Frederick A. Johnsen sent in this photo from EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 with a note: “The world of replica fighters keeps getting better, and more closely to scale, as this Scalewings SW-51 rendition of the P-51 Mustang shows. Rotax-powered and constructed of carbon-fiber, the SW-51 scales out to 72% of a full-size P-51.”
EAA Breaks Ground on New Discovery Park
The Experimental Aircraft Association has broken ground on Discovery Park, a new aviation education campus at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. Slated to open in 2027, this expanded space will host KidVenture, TeenVenture, and AeroEducate, providing a permanent home to inspire the next generation of aviators.