The AIAA X-Plane debuted at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 – the 73rd annual edition of what is simply known as “the world’s greatest aviation celebration.” The event draws aviation enthusiasts, pilots, builders, engineers, and families from around the globe to Wittman Regional Airport each July. It is the natural home for everything the AIAA X-Plane represents.
Origins of the AIAA X-Plane
The project came to life with the remarkable contributions of two AIAA members – Mujahid “TULSI” Abdulrahim, Ph.D., and Jessica “STING” Peterson, Ph.D. Mujahid even contributed his experimental plane to the project – a Thorp S-18 – a two-seat, high-performance experimental aircraft originally designed in the 1960s by aeronautical engineer John Willard Thorp, beloved by the homebuilt community for its fighter-inspired handling and clean aerodynamics.
Throughout the week at Oshkosh, Mujahid showed off the AIAA X-Plane in its fresh livery on the flight line. We welcomed special guests for an up-close experience, including NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and AIAA Associate Fellow and former Assistant Secretary of the Air Force Ravi Chaudhary. Jessica welcomed guests at the AIAA booth for a unique virtual reality (VR) immersive flight experience filmed inside the X-Plane.
The Story Continues All Year
What began in July becomes a yearlong campaign – flights, presentations, digital content, and community appearances that carry AIAA’s message to reach new audiences around the world. In the coming weeks, you will hear more about Mujahid’s and Jessica’s journeys. We’ll put you in the cockpit for everything they do next.
Follow the AIAA X-Plane across AIAA social channels:
LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube.
