EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 will kick off with a special presentation celebrating one of the airshow industry’s most recognizable demonstrations as “An Evening with Champions” highlights the U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight on Sunday, July 19. The event begins at 7:00 p.m. at the AirVenture Theater in the Woods and will feature current and former U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight demonstration pilots, civilian warbird pilots, and airshow industry leaders. Panelists will discuss the history, technical coordination, and enduring public appeal of the Heritage Flight program, which has showcased mixed formations of modern U.S. Air Force fighters and historic warbirds for nearly 30 years.
(Image credit: Cassidy Cristiello)
Created to honor the legacy of U.S. Air Force aviation, Heritage Flight demonstrations pair frontline fighter aircraft with legendary warbirds that represent American airpower throughout the nation’s conflicts. The formation flights have become a signature feature at airshows across the United States, highlighting both the technological evolution of military aviation and the service of the men and women who have flown these aircraft. As part of the celebration marking America’s 250th anniversary, the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation will distribute commemorative Heritage Flight merchandise to the first 800 attendees.
Additional information about “An Evening with Champions” is available through the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh event schedule. More information about the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation, its mission, and the 2026 demonstration schedule can be found at the foundation’s website. The Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation serves as a living memorial to those who have served in the U.S. Air Force by supporting Heritage Flight demonstrations around the world. Through the partnership of civilian-owned historic warbirds and active-duty U.S. Air Force fighter and attack aircraft, the program honors the past, present, and future of American military aviation. For more information, visit www.airforceheritageflight.org.
(Image credit: USAF Heritage Flight)
