AirVenture 2026 Vertical Lift Center: Joby, Beta, Wing, Zipline and More
EAA AirVenture 2026’s new Vertical Lift Center will feature Joby Aviation, Beta Technologies, Wing, Zipline, and other drone and eVTOL innovators. In episode 446, Max Trescott and David Vanderhoof preview the aircraft, companies, and flight demonstrations that will bring advanced air mobility, drone delivery, personal flight, agricultural UAS technology, and remotely piloted aircraft into the heart of Oshkosh.
The new AirVenture 2026 Vertical Lift Center is designed to unite helicopters, eVTOL aircraft, drones, and other vertical-flight technologies in one prominent location. Joby Aviation plans to display a full-scale aircraft, while Beta Technologies will exhibit and is scheduled to fly during an afternoon airshow. Wing will conduct a drone demonstration, Jetson ONE is expected to fly, and agricultural-drone operators will demonstrate specialized aircraft used for farming and other commercial missions.
Zipline and Amazon Prime Air will represent the fast-growing drone-delivery sector. Other Vertical Lift Center participants include Jump Aero, SkyFly and its Axe personal eVTOL, DTA Aircraft, Aloft Technologies, Shenzhen Smart Drone UAV, and companies involved in drone light shows, fleet operations, LAANC services, and specialized aviation systems.
Max and David explain why AirVenture is an especially valuable showcase for Joby, Beta, Wing, Zipline, and the wider vertical-lift industry. Unlike aerospace trade shows focused primarily on airline, military, or government purchases, EAA AirVenture attracts pilots, aircraft owners, engineers, builders, instructors, students, and aviation enthusiasts who want to examine aircraft closely and speak directly with the people developing them. The new Vertical Lift Center also gives drone and eVTOL companies a stronger connection to the broader general aviation community.
The Video of the Week shows a drone flying beneath a bridge and striking wires immediately afterward. Even when the footage is replayed, the wires remain almost impossible to see until only a few seconds before impact. Max and David discuss why wire strikes are a persistent hazard for drones, helicopters, seaplanes, and other aircraft operating at low altitude.
Wires frequently cross rivers near bridges because power lines often follow roads. High-voltage systems may also include a thin static wire above the larger conductors. A pilot who believes the aircraft is safely above the visible wires may still collide with the less visible line. The video provides a strong reminder that pilots should identify wire locations before flying low rather than assuming they will see every obstacle in time.
The conversation then turns to police-drone privacy and cybersecurity. Researchers discovered that video from San Francisco Police Department drones could be viewed through a publicly accessible link. They observed numerous flights and hours of footage before notifying the department, which corrected the problem.
The incident demonstrates that a drone-as-first-responder program must secure more than the aircraft and control link. Police drones may capture uninvolved people, vehicles, license plates, homes, and businesses while responding to legitimate emergencies. Agencies must determine how that information is stored, protected, reviewed, and eventually deleted.
San Francisco’s fleet has expanded to 96 drones, making automation and multi-aircraft supervision increasingly important. Skydio has received FAA approval allowing one operator to manage four drones simultaneously, and several police departments are already using that capability. Multiple drones could give officers several views of a building, monitor different exits, or search a wider area during a manhunt or barricade situation.
Max and David also discuss Minneapolis City Council’s decision to reject a proposed 75-day Skydio demonstration, even though the company offered the trial at no charge. Privacy concerns contributed to the decision. The hosts contrast that outcome with nearby St. Paul, where drones have reportedly flown hundreds of missions, located people, supported arrests, and reached incidents in approximately 90 seconds.
One of the episode’s most unusual stories involves an experimental drone that becomes difficult to see by spinning approximately 25 times per second. Instead of using conventional camouflage, the lightweight aircraft exploits the limits of human visual perception. Its thin frame turns into a faint blur and nearly disappears. Although the prototype is small and not yet practical for most surveillance missions, it offers a striking example of engineers combining drone design with knowledge of how the eye and brain process motion.
Finally, Max and David consider the safety and public-acceptance challenge facing passenger eVTOL aircraft. A serious accident could lead to groundings, tighter regulations, political resistance, and reduced investment. They also examine United CEO Scott Kirby's concerns about operating electric air taxis near major airports, where slow-moving vertical-lift aircraft would share complex airspace with airline traffic.
The episode closes with personal AirVenture memories and a broader point about Oshkosh. By bringing Joby Aviation, Beta Technologies, Wing, Zipline, delivery drones, agricultural drones, personal eVTOLs, and traditional rotorcraft together, the AirVenture 2026 Vertical Lift Center can help the manned- and unmanned-aircraft communities better understand one another while introducing visitors to the future of vertical flight.
