Flite Fest 2026
August 6 to 9, 2026 | Dayton, Ohio ✈️
Hosted at the National Museum of the United States Air Force in collaboration with the DARPA Lift Challenge.
Flite Fest 2026 is heading to Dayton, Ohio, for the largest collaboration in Flite Test history.
For the first time, Flite Fest will take place alongside the DARPA Lift Challenge, a $6.5 million heavy-lift drone competition that pushes the limits of UAV design, aerospace engineering, and vertical-lift innovation.
Join us for Build Tents. Open Flying. Crazy Builds. RC Air Combat. STEM. Community. Now combined with one of the most ambitious drone innovation challenges in the world.
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Event Details
Flite Fest: August 6 to 9, 2026
DARPA Lift Challenge: August 2 to 9
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Dayton, Ohio
Learn more about the DARPA Lift Challenge
Visit the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force
What to expect at Flite Fest
Open Flying
Open airspace for pilot flight use.
Family & Friends
The largest collection of electric high-flyers in the country.
Build, Fly, Crash, Repeat
Our build tent is the perfect place to learn, build and repair your aircraft.
STEM Workshops
Hone your craft with our STEM workshops. Learn about flight, aircrafts and build methods.