Robinson Helicopter and Vertical Aviation International are sponsoring the first EAA Vertical Lift Center at AirVenture 2026. The new feature will be located in the show’s Aviation Gateway Park and will be all about aircraft that go straight up. “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. Robinson CEO David Smith said vertical lift is changing the way society uses aviation and its growth has increased demand for skilled professionals from pilots to mechanics. “As the demand for skilled engineers, A&P mechanics, and test pilots reaches an all-time high, Robinson is committed to supporting education and careers across vertical lift,” he said.
There will be numerous aircraft on display, including traditional helicopters and eVTOLs showing the breadth of what’s on the horizon for aviation. EAA VP of Business Development Ren Scott said it’s a continuation of EAA’s recognition of rotorcraft as an important part of the industry. “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 Scott.
If you read AC91-32B (safety around helicopters), you realized that the “vertical lift revolution) will be harder and more dangerous that most investors realize.
Yes it will!
And, I still don’t get the purpose and missions of these new machines while we have wonderful and reliable high performance helicopters readily available. That much difference in missions? Is very short range electric going to be of that much benefit? Got me.
The commercial push for accommodating drones seems at odds with EAAs mission to increase accessibility to flying. Autonomous flight cannot reach its full potential until ALL flying is autonomous. I see it as a gradual bleed out of interest in GA flying until it reaches a point where the cost curve goes vertical per aircraft owner and autonomous flight becomes the only viable means. Airlines will embrace this as quickly as possible and. Commercial delivery services will jump on the new found airspace.
I’m not against innovation, but I’m not ready to throw in the towel on GA either.
I have mixed feelings about this.
This would be a good thing for those powered-lift designs that are just getting off the ground (literally) and need the visibility and investors. On the other hand, I don’t see how it would benefit established rotorcraft manufacturers, who already have a (usually huge) tent only a block away out near the flight line.
Robinson is one of them, so it seems curious that they are sponsoring this area. As the Toyota of rotorcraft with four models now, they are already cranking out as many helicopters as they can, and virtually own the training market. Hard to imagine they have any interest in “powered lift” aircraft, but who wants to bet against them? They could announce their new R-00 autonomous/RPV model this year, for all I know.
Frankly, if you want to see innovative and affordable rotorcraft, you should tram it down to the “Fun Fly Zone” (nee: “Ultralight Field”) at lunchtime to see rotorcraft actually flying around, that you won’t need a corporation to own for you.