Winter hangar flying is great, but there’s nothing quite like the real thing. The aviation calendar starts to fill up fast, and the best events have a way of sneaking up on you before you’ve booked lodging or filed your flight plan. Even if you just plan to just drive out to the ramp to check out an air show, here are five spring aviation events worth circling on the calendar right now.
1. Sun ‘n Fun Aerospace Expo
Lakeland, Florida | April 14–19, 2026
If you think of Oshkosh as the Super Bowl of aviation, Sun ‘n Fun is the playoff run that gets you warmed up and fired up. Held each spring at Lakeland Linder International Airport (KLAL), this six-day expo draws over 200,000 visitors and is the second-largest aviation event in the United States. For 2026, the dates are April 14 to 19, and organizers are rolling out some new tricks, including a reimagined “Composite Air Show” that blends the traditional daytime and night show into a single extended performance starting at 5 PM. That way, you get a spectacle while you watch the Florida sun dip below the horizon. Pilots can fly directly into the event and camp under their wings, and there’s no shortage of forums, vendor halls, aerobatic demos, and seaplane activity to fill every hour. If you’re looking for the first big gathering of the year to shake off the cobwebs, this is it.
2. Women in Aviation International Conference
Grapevine, Texas | March 19–21, 2026
The WAI Annual Conference isn’t just for women. Really, it’s for anyone who cares about the future of the industry. Held this year in Dallas, the conference draws tens of thousands of attendees including students, career pilots, engineers, mechanics, and industry leaders from around the world. The career expo floor rivals any major aviation trade show, and you won’t want to miss the scholarship opportunities and networking events if you’re new to the industry. If you’ve got a young person in your life who’s bitten by the aviation bug, this is one of the best events you can take them to.
3. Your Local EAA Chapter Fly-In Breakfast
Here’s the one that doesn’t require a week off work or a hotel reservation. For EAA Chapter Fly-Ins, you just need a willingness to get up early and fly somewhere for scrambled eggs. EAA chapters across the country host monthly or seasonal fly-in breakfasts at general aviation airports, and spring is prime season for them. These grassroots gatherings are the heartbeat of general aviation: a few dozen airplanes tied down on the ramp, pilots swapping stories over coffee, and maybe a kid seeing a real cockpit up close for the first time. Check the EAA chapter finder at eaa.org to find a chapter near you, or browse AOPA’s airport events calendar to see what’s happening within a tank of fuel.
4. Aero Friedrichshafen
Friedrichshafen, Germany | April 22–25, 2026
Okay, this one requires a passport, but hear us out. If you love the general aviation and light sport side of the industry, Aero Friedrichshafen is unlike anything in North America. Held on the shores of Lake Constance in southern Germany, it’s the world’s leading trade show for general aviation, covering everything from cutting-edge electric aircraft and advanced air mobility concepts to classic homebuilts and gliders. The 2026 show runs April 22 to 25.
If you want an excuse to plan a European trip this spring, timing a visit around Aero is a no-brainer. It’s a fascinating window into where GA is heading globally, and the setting along the lake isn’t bad either.
5. EAA AirVenture Oshkosh
Oshkosh, Wisconsin | July 20–26, 2026
Technically, this is a summer event, but you need to start planning for Oshkosh in the spring or you’ve already missed your window. The 73rd annual EAA AirVenture fly-in convention is set for July 20 to 26 at Wittman Regional Airport, and it is, without argument, the greatest aviation event on the planet. Last year’s show drew a record 704,000 visitors from 94 countries. This year, early confirmed performers already include MiG-17s, P-51s, F-16 and F-22 demonstration teams, aerobatic champions, and the internationally renowned Flying Bulls from Austria (bringing their P-38 and DC-6 for their only U.S. public appearance of the year). Nine air shows over seven days, including two night shows. More than 10,000 aircraft converging on one airport. Forums, workshops, homebuilts, warbirds, ultralights, seaplanes, and everything in between. Kids 18 and under get in free. Advance tickets, camping credentials, and parking passes are on sale now.
Gear Up Before You Go
No matter where you’re going to fly this year, there’s something to be said for showing up looking the part. The FLYING Shop has you covered with apparel, accessories, and gear Browse our full collection of gifts and gear to make sure your kit is dialed in before the season kicks off.
What spring events are on your radar this year? Drop a comment below. We’d love to hear where you’re flying.
-Written by Matt Herr