Flitefest 2026 - Aug 6-9 - Dayton OH

[Thomas B]

Additionally, for Flite Test folks that love aviation (basically all of us), that have not had a chance to visit the Museum of the United States Air Force, this event will be amazing for them.

One of the 2-3 best aviation museum in the country. Plan on at least one full day to get a quick look at at most of the exhibits, two days for a unrushed chance to see it all.

Scratch builders will be nearly overwhelmed with all the inspiration and ideas to be found there.

In the course of many years working in aerospace, I travelled to Dayton at least 10 times for work. I made sure to have at least a couple of hours set aside to revisit there each time and see what was new. I was actually there last June, making the three hour drive to a visit there after attending the EDF Jet Jam in Elizabeth, IN.

 

[Merv]

I have to agree, the air museum is fantastic. I've been there a couple of times, it by far the best museum I have seen. The planes are all displayed so you can walk right up to them and touch them, very little is rope off.

 

[SlingShot]

I got a good deal at Extended Stay Fairhope. It's by Wright State, and about 10 mins from the AFB. Equipped with work bench

 

[bisco]

I stayed at a holiday inn express last night...

 

[Mr Meow]

I’ve never been to Flite Fest before! My 7-year-old son has been watching the Flite Test videos all year, and we’ve been talking about going in June. I’m also really looking forward to a long weekend of planes and camping with my family. Sadly, Indiana schools start the week of DARPA, so we won’t be able to make it. While I understand the excitement of having Flite Fest with DARPA, the timing doesn’t work for us Hoosiers. Perhaps we can make the trip to Fuery Field in 2027. I’d love to experience everything MZ250Ben described in his post #20. That’s how I imagine Flite Fest—camping out in a small town, enjoying the friendly locals, and sharing the camaraderie of fellow RC fans. I’m sure the DARPA event will be fun, but it’s not what I’m interested in experiencing.

 

[dmco]

This will be our first Flite Fest. The boys have been inspired by the YouTube videos from previous years. We are traveling about 500 miles each way to be there. Looking forward to more details about the camping arrangements.

 

[qwijibo]

I missed FliteFest last year, but have been planning to attend this year. I'm a bit concerned with the change of venue/vibe at the new location (and additional travel time since I'm coming from NY), but I'll wait until more details are released before I make any decisions. Hoping for the best though!

 

[SlingShot]

I’ve never been to Flite Fest before! My 7-year-old son has been watching the Flite Test videos all year, and we’ve been talking about going in June. I’m also really looking forward to a long weekend of planes and camping with my family. Sadly, Indiana schools start the week of DARPA, so we won’t be able to make it. While I understand the excitement of having Flite Fest with DARPA, the timing doesn’t work for us Hoosiers. Perhaps we can make the trip to Fuery Field in 2027. I’d love to experience everything MZ250Ben described in his post #20. That’s how I imagine Flite Fest—camping out in a small town, enjoying the friendly locals, and sharing the camaraderie of fellow RC fans. I’m sure the DARPA event will be fun, but it’s not what I’m interested in experiencing.

You shouldn't let the DARPA thing influence your decision. You should think of DARPA as another event ADJACENT to the one that you want to attend. If you don't wanna DARPA, you don't have to. You'll have all the pure Flite Fest experience.

 

[Mr.Grinch]

While we're pretty excited about it, we can see how this year's extra event may not be for everyone. DARPA is a really neat program though. They push technology forward by leaps instead of small increments. This challenge creates opportunities for just about anyone to participate and take home a big prize while advancing the technology in the hobby. I don't think they've ever had a challenge so open before. The heavy lift challenge in particular promises to be really interesting to watch as well. While we're out crashing into each other, we may get to see some of these advanced machines crash spectacularly while carrying a big payload -- which, by the way, is why their flying area is going to be pretty far from the crowds. But we'll get to keep an eye on the action via some monitors and leaderboards that will be posted. It's our desire that a lot of folks from the community get involved so we can cheer them on!

But even if someone doesn't want to participate or even watch the challenge, it's definitely not required. Flite Fest will have the standard fare that Flite Fest has - the Build Tents, the community, the wacky flying machines, and the combat of course. As a bonus, they are steps away from the museum, which is fantastic! While it's open other times, I've personally heard from a number of folks that they wish they had time to visit it before or after Flite Fest, and this gives them the chance to do exactly that. But of course, that's optional too. If you want to enjoy Flite Fest in the usual ways, you'll find that it won't really be different aside from all of that awesome access.

While the museum location is spectacular, we actually went through a lot of effort to keep it in Malvern. That's a big reason why the announcement was delayed so far, and rumors went back and forth. We spoke with land-owners, county officials, other event organizers in the area, and all sorts of other folks, trying to find a solution that met all of the needs of Flite Fest 2026. We looked at a lot of options for leasing more property and things like that but ultimately, we couldn't get enough space to contain it this year.

While we're excited about this rare opportunity, we don't expect Flite Fest to be at the Air Force museum every year going forward and we're looking forward to being back home at Furey Field next year. We love the amazing community in Malvern and we're especially grateful to the Furey family for everything they do for Flite Fest. We really are a part of the most incredible community!

I find this a very disappointing change. FF should remain FF for most of the reasons @Austin’s Mom relayed.
If you want to have an event with DARPA, schedule a separate event.
Personally, I schedule (in January) one of my two vacation weeks so I can attend FF. With the change of dates, I have only one day off of work to attend and now an additional two hours drive.
My son will also be headed back to school, so we both miss out for the first time since 2019. But with the significant changes that have been happening since we got involved, I’m not really surprised that it might be time to step away from FT and supporting the FTCA.

 

[Thomas B]

I find this a very disappointing change. FF should remain FF for most of the reasons @Austin’s Mom relayed.
If you want to have an event with DARPA, schedule a separate event.
Personally, I schedule (in January) one of my two vacation weeks so I can attend FF. With the change of dates, I have only one day off of work to attend and now an additional two hours drive.
My son will also be headed back to school, so we both miss out for the first time since 2019. But with the significant changes that have been happening since we got involved, I’m not really surprised that it might be time to step away from FT and supporting the FTCA.

Any time a venue or date change is made to a long standing event, some people are going to like it and others will be disappointed.

It does sound like they really needed a new site for 2026, given the issues mentioned. Site availability can be fleeting in today’s world.

Heck, I was disappointed that they only had the single Flte Fest there in Texas back around 2018. Only a 2:5 hour drive for me!

 

[Mr.Grinch]

Any time a venue or date change is made to a long standing event, some people are going to like it and others will be disappointed.

It does sound like they really needed a new site for 2026, given the issues mentioned. Site availability can be fleeting in today’s world.

Heck, I was disappointed that they only had the single Flte Fest there in Texas back around 2018. Only a 2:5 hour drive for me!

It’s far more than just the change in venue and dates, this is just the latest in changes away from what Flite Test was, into more of a corporate backed influencer.
Gone are the days of 2-3 videos a week, new (free & approachable) plans every month or so, etc.
It feels very disassociated from the actual community.

 

[AIRFORGE]

Hmmm...

If Furey Field had been available AND with the necessary space for everyone, would FF26 be held there?

Would getting a little more funding from FT Fans (Join FTCA) help increase the number of vids being produced? Not from the freebie-loaders of course.

FF being moved to a place "2 hrs" away is considered "bad" but having it near "your area here" (MUCH farther away from Furey Field) is OK? 6 of this or a half-dozen of the other?

Will the DARPA Challenge be very far from Flite Fest grounds considering the hazard potential, and if so, will there be much interaction between them? Are any of us going to view the Lift Challenge?

If corrupt parties had not stolen, copyright infringed, committed fraud, and produced poor quality illegal knock-offs of the many FREE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY Flite Test plans, causing substantial monetary loss for FT, would the plans still be FREE?

 

[Mr.Grinch]

Hmmm...

If Furey Field had been available AND with the necessary space for everyone, would FF26 be held there?

Would getting a little more funding from FT Fans (Join FTCA) help increase the number of vids being produced? Not from the freebie-loaders of course.

FF being moved to a place "2 hrs" away is considered "bad" but having it near "your area here" (MUCH farther away from Furey Field) is OK? 6 of this or a half-dozen of the other?

Will the DARPA Challenge be very far from Flite Fest grounds considering the hazard potential, and if so, will there be much interaction between them? Are any of us going to view the Lift Challenge?

If corrupt parties had not stolen, copyright infringed, committed fraud, and produced poor quality illegal knock-offs of the many FREE FOR PERSONAL USE ONLY Flite Test plans, causing substantial monetary loss for FT, would the plans still be FREE?

I don’t discount the need to protect the plans due to the nefarious deeds of some and there’s not a great way to deal with it, but the FTCA paywall does seem to be a “reasonable” solution as much as I’m not a fan of it, even as a paid member from the beginning.

Why would community funding change the video output when there used to be a FAR greater output both in quantity and approachability BEFORE all the sponsorships? Is the only community involvement through Facebook and TikTok now? Sure those are highly popular, but the actual FT community is left forgotten on the forums and discord.

The change in location would be understandable if the usual time and location was not available, but since that’s not the case, switching because of another event that is NOT closely related to the event that we have enjoyed for years does not seem like a good reason. Yes, it is flight and it may draw interest from new people, but I wouldn’t consider a highly technical, typically high cost program to be the best match for FliteFest.

 

[LitterBug]

The area available for use the last two years of Flight Fest has been smaller each year, reducing the amount of camping and/or on-site parking. This past year, the camping was moved closer to the flight line rope to maximize the amount of space for camping which left no room for the pop up tents just outside the flight line. The popups were allowed to be placed just inside the flight line rope to compensate. There was a last minute addition for some camping this past year, but maybe that will not be available going forward. With the storm that came through tearing the site up last year, many people were diverted to Edgewater the first day or so while the community that was already on site cleaned up, the tent company fixed/replaced tents with the help of those on site, and the mud dried out. Everyone adjusted and it was a great event! FF used to fall on the week of my wedding anniversary in the middle of July preventing me from attending. The last few years it has been the end of June and has been my Father's Day present. Things have changed, adjustments have been made. I would be inclined to think that they tried their best to find ways to find additional space to accommodate both events without packing everyone in like sardines, limiting admission, or creating safety issues. It takes months of planning, negotiations, and preparations to put an event on the size of Flite Fest. Every indication is this is a one off change of date and location and will return "home" going forward. I plan to Enjoy the Epic location this year, the Awesome Flite Fest Community, hang out with old and new friends, and take it all in for what I consider the Best summer camp for all ages!

Cheers!
LitterBug

FF 17,18,23,24,25 and soon 26

 

[JonQ]

I haven't seen it mentioned as to there being any camping or RVs allowed on the USAFB grounds,
i would be amazed if there were, as even though the section where the event will probably be held is near the museum, its still all a very active AFB. I just cannot imagine that happening.
I've been to several of the Dawn Patrol Airshows (combined full scale and RC) held there, and don't recall them ever allowing the participants and vendors to camp overnight, and they were much lower attendance than the recent flite fest events.

 

[LitterBug]

The Museum and the surrounding area is not behind the AFB gates. It is Adjacent to it.

It IS US Government property, so US Gov laws apply.

I'm sure Flite Test will have more information available when registration for the event and camping go live.

 

[FT Dustin]

Oh man, we're in for a treat this year, for sure! Keep an eye out for the videos we'll be releasing with more info. I'm getting giddy already and we still have until August to wait.

But to answer the question, yes, we will have tent and RV camping as usual at Flite Fest 2026. I say "as usual" but there will be a couple of differences. Most noticeably, there will be a lot more of it available this year.

 

[Merv]

...there will be a lot more of it available this year.

Any word on early camping and/or flying for those wanting to attend DARPA

 

[qwijibo]

I really am hoping for the best with FliteFest in Dayton, and it's likely I'll be attending, but I’m still a bit concerned about changes that might happen at the new location.

For example, will it be an open flight line like in Malvern, or more formal like other RC events? (e.g. - specific pilot stations and a line/wait to use them, limited # of planes in the air at once, will the FliteFest flight line be paused for Darpa activity, etc…). Being on museum grounds, I wouldn’t be surprised if this means FliteFest will be a more “Managed” event, rather than the open/free event it is in Malvern.

 

[SlingShot]

I really am hoping for the best with FliteFest in Dayton, and it's likely I'll be attending, but I’m still a bit concerned about changes that might happen at the new location.

For example, will it be an open flight line like in Malvern, or more formal like other RC events? (e.g. - specific pilot stations and a line/wait to use them, limited # of planes in the air at once, will the FliteFest flight line be paused for Darpa activity, etc…). Being on museum grounds, I wouldn’t be surprised if this means FliteFest will be a more “Managed” event, rather than the open/free event it is in Malvern.

All will be revealed. I doubt if you'll be able to tell the difference.