Aviation Innovation to be Celebrated During EAA WomenVenture on July 22

Celebrating women involved in aircraft design, building, and testing will be highlighted at EAA WomenVenture 2026 during EAA AirVenture Oshkosh. The 73rd edition of the Experimental Aircraft Association’s fly-in convention is July 20-26 at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.

2025 Group Photo

“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, who coordinates WomenVenture programming.

EAA WomenVenture flagship programming on Wednesday, July 22, includes:

  • Annual EAA WomenVenture Group Photo | 11 a.m. | Boeing Plaza
  • Power Lunch | 11:30 a.m.| Theater in the Woods
    • Keynote speaker, Xyla Foxlin, engineer, pilot, and YouTube content creator
  • Evening Program | 6:30 p.m. | Theater in the Woods
    • Panelists include highly accomplished women in aircraft  development

“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,” Brill said. “Their panel on the future aviation possibilities and how the next generation can get involved will be informational and inspirational.”

In addition to the July 22 activities, the EAA WomenVenture Center on the AirVenture grounds will be open all week, featuring 12 aviation organization exhibitors, daily forums, and social gatherings on the covered patio. The center is located on Knapp Street between EAA Press Headquarters and the Forums and Workshops area.

Other activities during the week that are already sold out include an Ice Cream Social Presented by Endeavor Air on Monday, July 20, and Bingo sponsored by CiES Incorporated on Saturday, July 25.

More information is available at EAA.org/WomenVenture, including how to register for this year’s free commemorative WomenVenture T-shirt, designed by EAA member Justine Boyer.

EAA WomenVenture is presented by The Boeing Company, with additional support from 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, and Zipline.

Kim Stevens

Kim Stevens is the publisher of State Aviation Journal, which he founded in 2009. A longtime commercial-rated pilot, he was introduced to state aviation in 1992 as Director of the Nebraska Department of Aeronautics, later serving as Deputy Division Director for the Arizona Department of Transportation's Aeronautics Division. From 2013 to 2018, he was Director of Communications and Operations for the National Association of State Aviation Officials (NASAO) in Washington, D.C. Relocating to North Carolina, Kim worked for the Raleigh-Durham International Airport for two years and now concentrates solely on the Journal. Prior to his aviation career, Kim spent a decade in the newspaper and magazine business.