Skip to main content Skip to navigation
loading progress icon

Forum Program Overview

Home » Forum and Events » Annual Forum and Technology Display » Forum Program Overview

 

Download the Forum 82 Final Program

 
  • Opening General Session

    Hear from Industry Leaders
    Kick off Forum 82 with the Opening General Session, where senior leaders from industry, government, and the military come together to discuss the future of vertical flight. The session will feature executive keynote discussions offering strategic perspectives on the technologies, programs, and mission needs shaping the next generation of vertical flight.

    Speakers will share insights on emerging innovations, evolving operational requirements, and the challenges and opportunities facing the global vertical flight community. Dr. Stephanie Retmeier, Director S3I Directorate, US Army DEVCOM AvMC will be a featured speaker – stay tuned for more VIP speaker announcements.

  • Technical Session Program

    Hear from the Vertical Flight Technical Experts
    Whether you are an engineer, researcher, program manager, or aviation enthusiast, the technical sessions provide an unparalleled opportunity to learn from experts, discover new research, and engage with the ideas driving the next generation of vertical flight. This year’s program features more than 250 technical paper presentations delivered by leading experts from industry, government, and academia.

    Across 40 concurrent sessions, attendees can explore 21 specialized technical disciplines covering the full spectrum of vertical flight innovation. Topics range from Aerodynamics, Dynamics, Crash Safety, Propulsion, and Test & Evaluation to emerging areas such as eVTOL and Advanced Air Mobility. The program also includes a dedicated History Session, featuring scholarly research that helps preserve and deepen our understanding of the milestones, pioneers, and technological evolution of vertical flight.

  • Special Session Program

    Forum 82 will feature a series of high-impact special sessions bringing together senior leaders from the U.S. Army, Navy, NASA, DARPA, and industry to provide strategic updates on vertical flight priorities, modernization programs, and emerging technologies.

    These sessions are designed for professionals who want direct insight into policy, acquisition strategy, technology investment, and the future direction of military and civil vertical flight. .

    • U.S. Army Leadership Update: Senior perspectives from ASA(ALT), DEVCOM, and PEO Aviation on modernization priorities and acquisition strategy.
    • U.S. Army Program Update: FLRAA, UAS & Launched Effects, and Army Research Laboratory, the programs shaping the future force.
    • U.S. Navy Vertical Flight Priorities: ONR, NAVAIR, PMAs, and PEO(T) (Invited) portfolio leadership on naval aviation R&D and transition pathways.
    • NASA Vertical Flight Update: SVTT, Ames, and Langley, enabling the next generation of rotorcraft and advanced air mobility.
    • AAM/ eVTOL Piloting Collaboration: FAA & EASA programs with updates from Leonardo and other industry, Part 108, and OEM operational feedback on scaling advanced air mobility.
    • Hybrid & Advanced Propulsion Developments: Industry leaders on hybrid-electric systems, integration challenges, and power solutions for future aircraft.
    • State of the Vertical Flight Society: VFS strategy for 2026–2027, membership growth, competitions, financial outlook, and VFS Library updates with SAE International Leadership.
    • Vertical Lift R&D Developments: DARPA SPRINT, EVADE (invited) and emerging platform briefings focused, technical updates on next-gen aircraft progress.
    • Find detailed special session information in the day-to-day program overview below. Download the Sessions-at-a-Glance.
  • Short Courses and Workshops

    Short Courses
    eVTOL Infrastructure Short Course
    This course will provide attendees with a basic understanding of what vertical flight infrastructure is, the regulations and standards that apply, and many of the key— and frequently overlooked—elements that make it safe, reliable, and economically viable. Infrastructure Short Course Fee: $450 Regular / $150 Students

    eVTOL Technology Short Course
    This course provides in-depth coverage of industry-standard battery systems development, advanced high-power hybrid- electric hardware, PEM fuel cells and hydrogen propulsion, and the fundamentals of vertical lift and rotor aeromechanics from design to state-of-the-art in acoustics. eVTOL Technology Short Course Fee: $500 Regular / $250 Students

    Workshops
    UAS Air Mule & Launched Effects (LE) Workshop
    Explore how unmanned air vehicle concepts, internal-lift configurations, and launched effects are expanding the vertical flight design space. This workshop is an opportunity to engage with the technical and operational questions shaping future systems.

    Downwash/Outwash Workshop
    Downwash and outwash remain among the most important practical and design-sensitive issues in vertical flight. This session will bring attention to the aerodynamic interactions that affect safety, infrastructure, ground operations, bystander exposure, and vehicle acceptance.

    Vortex Ring State (VRS) Workshop
    Vortex Ring State remains a critical topic for rotorcraft safety, handling qualities, analysis, and training. This workshop will connect researchers and practitioners around the aerodynamic behavior, prediction methods, operational considerations, and mitigation approaches that matter in both current and next-generation vertical flight systems.

    Workshops are part of your registration - no separate signup required.

  • Student Volunteer Program

    The Student Volunteer Program at the VFS Annual Forum offers university students a unique opportunity to participate in the vertical flight industry’s premier technical conference and receive complimentary registration. Go to student volunteer page for more information.

    VFF Logo

 

VFSLogoSymbol

Forum Program

  • Monday, May 4, 2026

    Monday, May 4, 2026

    		  
    Registration Desk Open - Exh Hall A 7:00AM-5:00PM

    Short Courses

    • eVTOL, Room-1BC
    • Infrastructure, Room-1F
    		 8:00AM-5:00PM

    UAS Air Mule & Launched Effects (LE) Workshop, Room-2BC

    Download the UAS Air Mule-LE Workshop agenda

    		 12:30PM-5:00PM

    Downwash/Outwash Workshop, Room-1DE

    Download the DWOW agenda

    		 1:30PM-3:00PM

    VRS Workshop, Room-1DE

    Download the VRSW agenda

    3:00PM-5:00PM

    Forum 82 Welcome Reception, Hilton West Palm Beach - Event Lawn

    Open to all Forum 82 attendees.

    5:00PM-7:00PM
  • Tuesday, May 5, 2026

    Tuesday, May 5, 2026

    		  
    Registration Desk Open - Exh Hall A 7:00AM-5:00PM
    Exhibit Hall Open - Exh Hall A/B 9:00AM-5:00PM

    Technical Session A

    • Acoustics eVTOL I, at Ballroom A
    • Autonomy and UAS I, at Ballroom B
    • Avionics and Systems, Room-1F
    • Crew Stations, Room-2A
    • Dynamics I, Room-2DE
    • Modeling and Simulation I, Room-1DE
    • Safety, Room-1BC
    • Structures and Materials I, Room-2BC
    		 8:00AM-12:00PM

    Special Session 1: International Rotorcraft Collaboration, Grand Ballroom

    Moderator: Dr. Mahendra Bhagwat

    • Senior perspectives on research advancements through international collaborations
      • Mr. Marc Alexander, National Research Council (Canada)
      • Dr. Tony Gardner, DLR (German Aerospace Center)
      • Mr. Arnaud Le Pape, ONERA (France)
      • Dr. Klausdieter Pahlke, DLR (German Aerospace Center)
    		 8:00AM-9:30AM
    Technical Session A Refreshment Break — Sponsored by Arnold Magnetic Technologies 9:30AM-10:00AM

    Special Session 2: U.S. Army Program Updates, Grand Ballroom

    Moderator: Dr. Rajneesh Singh, U.S. Army DEVCOM ARL

    • MV-75 Cheyenne Program, Aviation S&T and research and, the programs shaping the future force.
      • MV-75 Cheyenne Program Updates - Michelle V Gilbert, Chief, Technical Management Division, Future Long Range Assault Aircraft Project Management Office (FLRAA PMO)
      • AvMC Aviation S&T Updates - Dr. Mark Robeson, Chief, Aviation Technology Programs & Plans, DEVCOM - AvMC
      • ARL Vertical Flight Research Updates - Dr. Hao Kang, Lead, Rotorcraft Aeroelasticity Team, DEVCOM - ARL
      • VLRCOE Advocacy Updates - Angelo Collins, Executive Director, Vertical Flight Society
    		 10:00AM-12:00PM
    Lunch Break at Exhibit Hall A/B — sponsored by The Boeing Company 12:00PM-1:30PM

    Opening General Session, Grand Ballroom

    • Welcome – Angelo Collins, Executive Director, Vertical Flight Society
    • Keynote – Dr. Stephanie Reitmeier, U.S. Army DEVCOM AvMC
    • Remarks from Industry:
      • Mr. Steve Schmidt, VP and Chief Engineer, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company
      • Mr. Chris Speights, VP and Chief Engineering, Boeing Vertical Lift
      • Mr. Roberto Garavaglia, SVP Strategy & Innovation, Leonardo Helicopters
      • Mr. Jason Hurst, EVP Engineering, Bell Textron
      • Mr. Denis Descheemaeker, VP Research & Innovation, Airbus Helicopters
    		 1:30PM-3:30PM
    Opening General Session Refreshment Break — Sponsored by GE Aerospace 3:30PM-4:00PM

    VFF Scholarships, VFS Executive Director Scholarship, Robert L. Lichten Awards

    		 4:00PM-4:15PM

    46th Alexander A. Nikolsky Honorary Lecturer Award

    • Nikolsky winner William "Bill" A. Welsh, Lockheed Martin Technical Fellow, will give his presentation "Helicopter Vibration Technology for Jet Smooth Ride."
    		 4:15PM-5:15PM
    Industry Reception — Exhibit Hall A&B 5:15PM-7:00PM
  • Wednesday, May 6, 2026

    Wednesday, May 6, 2026

    		  
    Registration Desk Open, Exh Hall A 7:00AM-5:00PM
    Exhibit Hall Open, Exh Hall A/B 9:00AM-5:00PM

    Technical Session B

    • Aerodynamics I, Ballroom A
    • Autonomy and UAS II, Ballroom B
    • Dynamics II, Room-2DE
    • eVTOL I, Room-2BC
    • History, Room-1F
    • Modeling and Simulation II, Room-1BC
    • Operations and Infrastructure I, Room-2A
    • Structures and Materials II, Room-1DE
    		 8:00AM-12:15PM

    Special Session 3: Vertical Lift R&D Development, Grand Ballroom

    • Cmdr. Ian Higgins, DARPA TTO PM
      • Remarks on the DARPA X-Plane program, historic and current
    • Igor Cherepinsky, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co.
      • Updates from Sikorsky Innovations and other R&D efforts
    • Mikael Cardinal, VP, Unither Bioélectronique / United Therapeutics Corporation
      • PROTICITY: Advancing Hydrogen Propulsion for Vertical Flight Applications
    		 8:00AM-9:30AM
    Technical Session B Refreshment Break — Sponsored by VTOL Pluribus, Inc. 9:30AM-10:15AM

    Special Session 4: Vertical Lift AAM R&D Development, Grand Ballroom

    • Emerging eVTOL platform briefings focused, technical updates on next-gen aircraft progress.
      • Chen Rosen, CTO, AIR EV
      • Furqan Afzal, CEO, Sora Aviation
    • Motivo Panel (30 minutes)
      • Matt Farides, VP of Business Development at Evolito
      • Christian Dommel, Product Director at Motivo
      • David King, Chief Engineer at Vertical Aerospace
      • Calder Hughes, President & Co-Founder at FlightHouse Engineering
    		 10:15AM-12:15PM
    Exhibit Hall Lunch Break 12:15PM-1:30PM
    Women of Vertical Flight Engineering Network (WOVEN), Room-1L 12:45PM-1:30PM

    Technical Session C

    • Aerodynamics II, Ballroom A
    • Aircraft Design I, Ballroom B
    • Crash Safety, Room-2A
    • Dynamics III, Room-2DE
    • eVTOL II Propusion, Room-2BC
    • Integrated Vehicle Health Managemen (IVHM), Room-1F
    • Joint Session: Operations and Infrastructure II, Manufacturing Tech., Room-1DE
    • Test and Evaluation I, Room-1BC
    		 1:45PM-6:00PM
    Technical Session C Refreshment Break — Exhibit Hall A&B 3:15PM-4:00PM
    Annual Forum VFS Fellows Reception *by invitation only* at Grand Ballroom 6:00PM-7:00PM
    Forum 82 Grand Awards Dinner at Grand Ballroom 7:00PM-9:00PM
  • Thursday, May 7, 2026

    Thursday, May 7, 2026

    		  
    Registration Desk Open, Exh Hall A 7:00AM-1:30PM
    Exhibit Hall Open, Exh Hall A/B 9:00AM-12:00PM

    Technical Session D

    • Acoustics II, Room-1F
    • Advanced Vertical Flight I, Room-2BC
    • Aerodynamics III, Ballroom A
    • Aircraft Design II, Ballroom B
    • Handling Qualities I, Room-1DE
    • Modeling and Simulation III, Room-2DE
    • Propulsion I, Room-1BC
    • Test and Evaluation II, Room-2A
    		 8:00AM-12:15PM

    Special Session 5: Looking Forward into NASA's Vertical Lift Research, Grand Ballroom
    SVTT, Ames, and Langley, enabling the next generation of rotorcraft and advanced air mobility.

    • NASA Overview Presentations
      • Mr. Carl Russell
      • Shannah Withrow
      • Siena Whiteside
    • Panel Discussion
      • Mr. Carl Russell
      • Shannah Withrow
      • Haley Cummings
      • Dr. Nikolas Zawodny
      • Siena Whiteside
    		 8:00AM-9:30AM
    Technical Session D Refreshment Break at Exh Hall A&B — sponsored by Continuum Dynamics, Inc. 9:30AM-10:15AM

    Special Session 6: AAM/ eVTOL Piloting Collaboration, Grand Ballroom

    Moderator - Mike Hirschberg, Principal, H2 Advisors, LLC

    • FAA & EASA programs with updates from Leonardo and other industry, Part 108, and OEM operational feedback on scaling advanced air mobility.
      • Matteo Ragazzi, Director of Engineering, Leonardo Helicopters
      • David Oord, Director of Policy, Regulatory Affairs and Standards, Wisk Aero
      • Charles "Cliff" Johnson, FAA Senior Research and Development Engineer (Invited)
      • Ryan Naru, Joby Aviation
    		 10:15AM-12:15PM
    Lunch on your own 12:15PM-1:30PM
    *Students Only* Lunch Break Ballroom C, Sponsored and Hosted by Bell Textron 12:15PM-2:00PM

    Technical Session E

    • Acoustics III, Room-2A
    • Advanced Vertical Flight II, Ballroom B
    • Aerodynamics IV, Ballroom A
    • Handling Qualities II, Room-1DE
    • Modeling and Simulation IV, Room-2DE
    • Propulsion II, Room-1BC
    • Systems Engineering, Room-2BC
    		 1:30PM-5:30PM

    Special Session 7: Hybrid and Advanced Propulsion Development, Grand Ballroom

    • Industry leaders on hybrid-electric systems, integration challenges, and power solutions for future aircraft.
      • VerdeGo Aero
      • Safran (Invited)
      • GE Aerospace
      • BETA Technologies (Invited)
    		 1:45PM-3:00PM
    Technical Session E Refreshment Break 3:00PM-3:30PM

    Special Session 8: State of VFS, Grand Ballroom

    • VFS strategy for 2026–2027, membership growth, competitions, financial outlook, and VFS Library updates with SAE International Leadership.
      • Mr. Angelo Collins, Executive Director, Vertical Flight Society
      • Mr. Peter Doty, EVP, SAE International
      • Mr. Michael Thompson, Director, Publishing & Information Product Group, SAE International
    		 3:30PM-5:30PM
  • Friday, May 8, 2026

    Friday, May 8, 2026

    		  

    Tour of the Sikorsky Development Flight Center (DFC): SOLD OUT

    Non-American guests will be subjected to approval and complying with all US Immigration laws, visa requirements and travel restrictions in effect at the time of the industry tour.

    		 7:30AM-12:00PM
    (Tentative Schedule)