EAA WomenVenture 2026 to Celebrate Aviation Innovation at AirVenture Oshkosh

EAA WomenVenture 2026 will spotlight women shaping the future of aircraft design, construction, and testing during the 73rd EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, scheduled for July 20–26, 2026 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. This year’s theme — Design, Build, Test — focuses on women at the forefront of technical aviation development. Flagship WomenVenture programming takes place Wednesday, July 22, including the annual group photo at Boeing Plaza, a Power Lunch keynote from engineer and pilot Xyla Foxlin, and an evening program featuring a panel of women working in aircraft development. The WomenVenture Center on Knapp Street will be open all week with 12 aviation organization exhibitors, daily forums, and social gatherings.

For pilots, engineers, students, and aviation industry professionals attending Oshkosh, WomenVenture is one of the most meaningful annual events for community-building, mentorship, and exposure to the people shaping aviation’s future. Here’s the full program and what to expect.

What Is EAA WomenVenture?

EAA WomenVenture is an annual program within EAA AirVenture Oshkosh — the world’s largest aviation gathering — designed to celebrate, support, and connect women in aviation. The program has aimed for years to “inspire, empower, and break down barriers for young girls and women that dream of flight,” and it has grown into one of the most attended specialty programs at AirVenture.

The 2026 theme, Design-Build-Test, pays tribute to the spirit of innovation, hands-on creativity, and perseverance that fuels aviation. It honors women working in the technical disciplines that bring aircraft from concept to first flight — engineers, builders, test pilots, certification specialists, and the next generation of aviation innovators following in their footsteps.

“This year, we wanted to focus on the ‘Design, Build, Test’ theme, as these women are at the forefront of new developments in the ever-expanding aviation industry,” said Margaret Brill, Vice President of the EAA Aviation Foundation and coordinator of WomenVenture programming.

The July 22 Flagship Program

Wednesday, July 22, 2026, is the central WomenVenture programming day. Three major events anchor the day:

Annual EAA WomenVenture Group Photo — 11:00 a.m. at Boeing Plaza. The iconic gathering that draws hundreds of women in aviation together for the largest single-image celebration of female aviators in the world. The Boeing Plaza setting under the historic AirVenture aircraft display provides one of the most powerful visual symbols of women’s growing presence in aviation.

Power Lunch with Keynote Speaker Xyla Foxlin — 11:30 a.m. at Theater in the Woods. Foxlin is an engineer, pilot, and prolific YouTube content creator whose channel covers engineering, aviation, and DIY aerospace projects. Her keynote will speak directly to the Design-Build-Test theme — she has built and tested experimental aircraft, drones, and aerospace projects across multiple platforms and has become one of the most visible advocates for hands-on engineering accessible to anyone.

Evening Program — 6:30 p.m. at Theater in the Woods. A panel discussion featuring accomplished women in aircraft development. As Brill described it: “Xyla Foxlin, along with our panel of female aviators in the aircraft design space, have helped spark the industry while inspiring other women to pursue their aviation dreams. Their panel on the future aviation possibilities and how the next generation can get involved will be informational and inspirational.”

The All-Week WomenVenture Center

Beyond the flagship Wednesday programming, the EAA WomenVenture Center is open all week of AirVenture. Located on Knapp Street between EAA Press Headquarters and the Forums and Workshops area, the center serves as the central hub for WomenVenture activity throughout the convention.

The center includes:

12 aviation organization exhibitors showcasing programs, scholarships, and career pathways
Daily forums on aviation topics specifically curated for the WomenVenture audience
Social gatherings on the covered patio for networking, mentorship, and community-building
Distribution point for the 2026 commemorative WomenVenture T-shirt, designed this year by EAA member Justine Boyer of Georgetown, Texas

The center provides a continuous physical anchor for women attending AirVenture — a place to find familiar faces, learn about new programs, and build the kinds of professional relationships that turn into careers and mentorship pipelines.

The 2026 T-Shirt Design

The commemorative WomenVenture T-shirt has become an annual tradition. The 2026 design, by EAA member and aviation artist Justine Boyer, embraces the Design-Build-Test theme through a blueprint-inspired motif in navy blue ink. The lines reference the design and build process while also conveying motion and connectivity — reflecting the shared journey of women coming together in aviation.

Boyer lives on an airpark with her family and their Van’s RV-10, has logged approximately 20 hours of flight time, and is a long-time AirVenture attendee. Her husband is a pilot and her daughter is nearing her own checkride. The T-shirt is free with registration and must be picked up at the WomenVenture Center by 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22.

Sold-Out Events Worth Noting

Two popular WomenVenture activities have already reached capacity for 2026:

Ice Cream Social presented by Endeavor Air — Monday, July 20, 3:00–4:00 p.m. The traditional opening-day gathering that kicks off WomenVenture programming. Endeavor Air, a Delta Connection regional partner, has presented the event for years.

Bingo sponsored by CiES Incorporated — Saturday, July 25. A community-building tradition featuring CiES, an avionics manufacturer specializing in fuel quantity indication systems.

Both events traditionally fill within weeks of registration opening. Pilots and attendees interested in 2027 should plan to register early.

Why WomenVenture Matters

The aviation industry has been historically male-dominated, but the numbers have shifted meaningfully in recent years. As of December 2025, the FAA reported more than 100,000 women pilots holding active certificates for the first time in U.S. history, and the share of women across student pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot, and ATP certificates has grown year over year.

But raw numbers tell only part of the story. The aviation workforce gap remains acute across multiple categories:

Boeing’s most recent forecast projects North America needs more than 130,000 new pilots over the next decade
The FAA’s 2026 Air Traffic Controller Workforce Plan targets 2,200 new controllers in 2026 alone, with 12,563 Certified Professional Controllers needed at full staffing
Aviation manufacturing, maintenance, engineering, and operations all face their own pipeline shortages

Closing these gaps will require attracting and retaining women across every aviation discipline. Programs like WomenVenture serve that mission directly — by creating visible role models, building professional networks, providing scholarship and career pathways, and giving young women the kind of in-person exposure to aviation that traditional recruiting channels can’t match.

For young girls and college students attending AirVenture for the first time, watching hundreds of women gather at Boeing Plaza for the annual group photo can be the moment when an aviation career stops feeling theoretical and starts feeling possible.

The Sponsor Ecosystem

EAA WomenVenture 2026 is presented by The Boeing Company, with additional support from a long list of aviation industry partners:

4imprint
Endeavor Air
General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA)
Hartzell Propeller
The Ninety-Nines
Piedmont Airlines
Pilotsmith
Southwest Airlines
UND Aerospace
Wing Aviation
Women in Aviation International
The Yalanis Private Wealth Management Group of Wells Fargo Advisors
Zipline

The sponsor list spans manufacturers, airlines, regional carriers, OEMs, universities, drone-delivery operators, and trade organizations — a reflection of how broadly the aviation industry has embraced WomenVenture as essential workforce-development infrastructure.

For attendees interested in scholarships, career opportunities, or industry connections, the sponsor presence at the WomenVenture Center makes it one of the highest-density career-networking environments at AirVenture.

How WomenVenture Fits the Broader 2026 AirVenture

AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 — the 73rd edition of “The World’s Greatest Aviation Celebration” — features a deep lineup of programming this year:

The Royal Air Force Aerobatics Team (Red Arrows) will perform their famous formation flying
NASA’s Super Guppy returns to Boeing Plaza
Southwest Airlines’ Independence One semiquincentennial tribute aircraft will be on display
B-29 Superfortress Doc and B-24 Diamond Lil lead the warbird lineup
U.S. Pacific Air Forces is the featured service component
Yellow Ribbon Honor Flight carries 100 Vietnam War veterans to Washington, D.C.
Vintage in Review showcase returns
Featured aircraft anniversaries include the Travel Air, Fairchild, Goodyear Blimp, Lockheed U-2, Robinson Helicopters, AirCam, RV-8, Beechcraft Bonanza, and Skyraider

Daily air shows run Monday through Saturday at 2:15 p.m. CT, with Sunday’s show at 1:00 p.m. CT. Night air shows take place Wednesday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m. CT.

WomenVenture sits at the intersection of several major AirVenture themes for 2026 — innovation, workforce development, STEM outreach (through programs like AviationTech, KidVenture, and GirlVenture Camp), and the celebration of aviation’s diverse community.

How to Participate

To register for WomenVenture events. Visit EAA.org/WomenVenture for full registration. Many social events require advance registration, and some sell out months ahead.

To pick up the free 2026 T-shirt. Register online, then collect at the WomenVenture Center on Knapp Street. T-shirts must be picked up by 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22.

To attend the Group Photo. No registration required — just show up at Boeing Plaza at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 22.

For AirVenture admission and camping. Visit eaa.org/airventure for tickets, camping credentials, and event passes.

To learn about year-round WomenVenture activities. EAA.org/WomenVenture also includes information about WomenVenture programming beyond AirVenture, scholarships, and mentorship opportunities.

The Bottom Line

EAA WomenVenture 2026 is one of the most important annual gatherings for women in aviation in the United States. The 2026 Design-Build-Test theme spotlights women advancing aircraft development from concept through certification — exactly the technical pipeline aviation needs to grow.

For attendees, the program offers a rare combination of high-profile keynotes (Xyla Foxlin), powerful visual community-building (the Boeing Plaza group photo), substantive panel discussions, hands-on exhibitor engagement, and the kind of casual networking that turns into careers and mentorships years later.

Wednesday, July 22, 2026 is the day to circle on the AirVenture calendar. The full Oshkosh week — July 20–26 — gives WomenVenture the broader context. And for the aviation industry as a whole, the program continues to do exactly what it set out to do: inspire, empower, and break down barriers for the next generation of women shaping the future of flight.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is EAA WomenVenture 2026? EAA WomenVenture 2026 takes place throughout EAA AirVenture Oshkosh, July 20–26, 2026, at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin. The flagship WomenVenture programming — including the group photo, Power Lunch keynote with Xyla Foxlin, and evening panel — happens on Wednesday, July 22, 2026. The WomenVenture Center on Knapp Street is open all week.

What is the EAA WomenVenture 2026 theme? The 2026 theme is Design, Build, Test — focusing on women at the forefront of aircraft design, construction, and flight testing. The theme highlights the technical disciplines that bring aircraft from concept to first flight and the women working across those fields.

Who is the EAA WomenVenture 2026 keynote speaker? The 2026 Power Lunch keynote speaker is Xyla Foxlin — an engineer, pilot, and YouTube content creator known for her engineering, aviation, and DIY aerospace content. The keynote takes place at 11:30 a.m. Central Time on Wednesday, July 22, at Theater in the Woods.

Where is the EAA WomenVenture Center located? The EAA WomenVenture Center is located on Knapp Street, between EAA Press Headquarters and the Forums and Workshops area at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh. The center is open throughout AirVenture week (July 20–26, 2026) and features 12 aviation organization exhibitors, daily forums, and social gatherings on a covered patio.

How do I register for EAA WomenVenture 2026 events? Registration is available at EAA.org/WomenVenture. Some events — including the Ice Cream Social presented by Endeavor Air (July 20) and the Bingo event sponsored by CiES Incorporated (July 25) — have already sold out for 2026. The annual Group Photo at Boeing Plaza (11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 22) does not require registration.

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