AirVenture is known for showcasing warbirds, vintage aircraft, and homebuilt models, but on July 21 the fly-in will highlight Advanced Air Mobility (AMM) aircraft that cannot yet be sold. Electric aircraft that are not yet certified will be part of the display on Boeing Plaza and demonstrations during the Tuesday air show. Who is actually flying, and where each one sits BETA Technologies will showcase its ALIA CX300 electric conventional aircraft and ALIA A250 eVTOL aircraft. The CX300 is a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft and the A250 is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL). Despite both being electric aircraft, they have different certification timelines and rules. The CX300 has reached key milestones for Type Inspection Authorization (TIA), including multiple test flights. It has confirmed buyers from UPS, Blade, United Therapeutics and the US Air Force and has flown cargo trials with Air New Zealand, Bristow, and Loganair. Bye Aerospace is bringing its eFlyer 2, a two-seat all-electric trainer. Its development is in its early stages and has not yet completed its first flight. The company plans to certify the trainer under Part 23 Amendment 64 but is studying whether the FAA’s MOSAIC framework fits its goals better. It aims to start deliveries in 2028. Other companies showcasing their AAM aircraft include Embry-Riddle, Amazon delivery and Jetson. While any aircraft can fly at OshKosh under the experimental category, what makes BETA and Bye Aero stand out is their goal of FAA certification to sell and operate on a commercial level. To certify an aircraft, a company needs to file means-of-compliance and certification plans and receive FAA approval. Once approval is granted, the company conducts developmental and certification flight tests on the aircraft as a prototype. Afterwards, the FAA conducts its own flight tests on the aircraft under TIA. If it can jump through all these hoops, the company will receive a type certificate (TC) on the design. Why This Matters to Operators and Investors Billions of dollars have been poured into the AAM industry with many highly publicized programs never entering service. Long-term success does not depend on how futuristic an aircraft looks; it depends on actually entering the market. The companies that can deliver on their promises are the ones that are seen as stronger candidates for commercial deployment. Beta and Bye’s prominence at AirVenture shows how the aviation industry is turning its interest toward programs that are actively pursuing certification. Even though these companies are working toward certification, it’s still years and several FAA milestones away before these aircraft are fully operating in the skies. This showcase provides AirVenture attendees a look into these emerging electric-aircraft programs. Pilots flying to Oshkosh for AirVenture can also check out Globalair.com’s 2026 Oshkosh FBO Fuel Deals andamp; Specials. There is a list of FBO deals and aviation specials across the U.S. that is regularly being updated with new ones. Pilots can save the ones they are most interested in to plan the best and most affordable route for themselves.
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