OSHKOSH (WLUK) — For over 70 years, EAA AirVenture has showcased the latest in aviation technology, not just experimental aircraft.
Aviation tech is on display at EAA AirVenture. (WLUK)
Look inside the cockpit of a display, and you’ll find it’s much different than the first fly-ins. FOX 11 talked with David Copeland, who’s attended AirVenture for 52 years and works for Bristell, the Czech aviation company.
Its planes are fully equipped with tech to see above the airport while landing, or to spot incoming thunderstorms or lightning, like a commercial jet technology inside a personal plane, a plane that pilots often train with to prepare them to fly bigger jets.
“The transition (to bigger jets) is much easier, plus the technology and the weight of it is a big deal as well,” said Copeland, the company’s VP of Sales in the U.S. and Canada. “Having satellite navigation and XM and all those things going together just add to the safety.”
Pilots are better trained and flights are more safe, and planes are becoming far more fuel efficient.
“This aircraft uses around six gallons per hour,” said Copeland. “Five years ago that wasn’t possible.”
Head over to the NASA booth, and you’ll find its aircraft will soon be used to save lives and improve air quality.
EAA AirVenture offers a chance to learn about the latest in aviation technology. July 24, 2026. (WLUK/Austin Roth)
“Right now if there’s a wildfire, it gets dark, it gets smoky, it’s hard to coordinate air traffic, especially for people on the ground,” said NASA Public Affairs Officer Rob Margetta. “So what we’ve built is what we call an Air Boss on the Ground.”
It’s an automated aircraft designed to suppress wildfires, but not the only automated aircraft featured at AirVenture, as FOX 11 learned that some planes at AirVenture have an auto-land feature.
“You just press a button and the aircraft takes over and lands it for you,” said Copeland.
Bristell hasn’t adopted that technology, but others have. I don’t know if I’d trust one of those just yet, but it comes as no surprise that self-flying planes are on the horizon, as the industry moves forward.
EAA AirVenture offers a chance to learn about the latest in aviation technology. July 24, 2026. (WLUK/Austin Roth)
Two of NASA’s special America 250 aircraft are at AirVenture right now, the first time they’re on display publicly since Independence Day.
They were featured in the July 4th flyover in Washington, D.C.
