Forum 82 - Annual Forum and Technology Display
May 5, 2026 - May 7, 2026
West Palm Beach, Florida, USA
The Vertical Flight Society's 82nd Annual Forum & Technology Display is the world's leading international technical event on vertical flight technology. The conference will span three days and include 250+ technical papers on every discipline from Acoustics to Test & Evaluation, as well as invited presentations and discussions by leaders in the military, government agencies and industry.
The Technology Display, running concurrent with the Forum, is the most extensive exposition of cutting-edge vertical flight technologies in the world, and also includes other technologies more broadly applicable to aerospace in general. Leading manufacturers, service providers, defense agencies, universities, and research and development organizations showcased the very latest in vertical flight technology in our exhibit hall.
Ready to register?
If you are a member or already have a VFS account, log in using the blue box at the top and choose to stay on this page. Otherwise, create an account to get started.
Latest Forum News
The online Forum Proceedings are avalable to attendees - see Forum 82 Proceedings.
The Final Program is now available. Also available the Technical Session Schedule.
VFS has announced the 2026 Robert L. Lichten Paper Award results – read about this year’s winner and all the regional award papers that will be featured at Forum 82.
VFS announced the Society’s group and individual awards for 2026, recognizing outstanding performance, teamwork, and excellence across the vertical flight community, honorees will be recognized at the annual VFS Awards Banquet on Wednesday, May 6. Read about the awardees 2026 Group Awards and Individual Awards.
Check out the 2026 Vertical Flight Foundation scholarship recipients.
Plan Your Attendance
Program and Schedule Overview
Check out the latest Program Overview and download the Final Program. Also available the Technical Sessions-at-a-Glance.
Registration
Find up to date information on registration and early bird rates.
Exhibits and Sponsorships
Reserve your space for the longest running vertical flight technology event.
Congratulations, authors!
Final paper deadline is extended to April 15, 2026! Check out the latest author information.
Technical Paper Schedule
View the latest schedule of papers and authors.
Hotel Accommodations
Plan your travel and book your stay at one of the official Forum hotels.
Thank you to our Forum 82 Sponsors
Questions about this event?
Please contact-
Registration information
Visit the Forum Registration Page for the latest information.
Forum 82 will be held in-person on May 5-7, 2026 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.
Forum 82 will host the Grand Awards Dinner on Wednesday evening, May 6. This year, Awards Banquet access is $80 for registrants and $40 for student members—seating is limited. Additional tickets for guests may be purchased for $80 per person.
Do you need a visitor visa?
Verify your travel requirements and/or apply for a visa via the U.S. Department of State's official website. Those needing an invitation letter shouldcontact VFS as soon as possible to ensure ample time for the American visa application process.Please include your paper title, your full name (as it appears on your passport), date of birth, passport number, and nationality in your request.
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Venue and location
Forum 82 will be held in-person on May 5-7, 2026 at the Palm Beach County Convention Center.
Visit the Forum Hotel and Travel Page for complete information.
Do you need a visitor visa?
Verify your travel requirements and/or apply for a visa via the US State Department website. Those needing an invitation letter should contact the Registrar as soon as possible to ensure ample time for the American visa application process. Please include your paper title, your full name (as it appears on your passport), date of birth, passport number, and nationality in your request.
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Schedule and agenda
Visit the Forum Program Overview page for the latest schedules and event information.
Forum 82 features more than 250 technical paper presentations delivered across forty concurrent sessions, as well as a series of high-impact special sessions bringing together senior leaders from the U.S. Army, Navy, NASA, DARPA, and industry.
Download the Session-at-a-Glance and the Final Program of Forum 82
View the full technical presentation schedule
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Featured events
eVTOL Technology Short Course
Monday, May 4, 2026, 8 am - 5 pmThis 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 Infrastructure Short Course
Monday, May 4, 2026, 8 am - 5 pmThis 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.
Forum Industry Tour
Friday, May 8, 2026, 7:30 am - 12 pm (tentative)There will be a tour of the Sikorsky Development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, Florida for Forum 82 attendees on Friday, May 8, 2026. There is a non-refundable fee of US$40 to subsidize the cost of shuttle buses. Non-American guests will be subject to approval (see the tour page for more information).