The RotorTech Vertical Flight Exposition has wrapped up in Brisbane, delivering record participation for the third consecutive show and cementing its position as the Asia-Pacific's premier rotorcraft and advanced air mobility gathering.
Australian Flying attended the event, catching up with key industry partners including CASA, Flight Store, Garmin, World Fuel and AvPlan across a busy week of exhibitions, conferences and networking.
The numbers tell the story of a sector in strong growth. This year's event drew 125 exhibiting companies, up 11.6 per cent from 2024, with 21 nations represented and sponsorship up 200 per cent. Across the week, delegates engaged with 21 static aircraft and technology displays, 41 conference and speaker sessions and 12 networking events.
A highlight of the final day was Careers Day, which welcomed 52 Year 11 and 12 students from Benowa State High School's aerospace program for direct engagement with industry representatives. The two winning schools from the National Student Challenge, travelling from Townsville and Maroochydore, also participated in a joy flight over the Gold Coast.
This year's event underscored the increasing convergence between traditional helicopter operations and the emerging advanced air mobility sector, with strong crossover between the Australian Helicopter Industry Association Conference and the AAM Summit program presented by the Australian Association for Uncrewed Systems.
AMDA CEO Justin Giddings said the event reflected the continued strength and evolution of the sector.
"RotorTech 2026 has reflected the strong momentum across Australia's vertical flight industry, with record participation from exhibitors, delegates and partners," Mr Giddings said. "This growth demonstrates a sector that is not only expanding, but increasingly converging around a shared vision for the future of air mobility."
The RotorTech Vertical Flight Exposition will be held at the Royal International Convention Centre, Brisbane from 16 to 18 May 2028.