The Horizon Airmeet 2026 in Genderkingen marked the debut of a completely new event concept.
Instead of welcoming several thousand visitors, attendance was intentionally limited to just 500 guests. The all-inclusive food and beverage package created a relaxed and exclusive atmosphere that clearly distinguished the event from traditional flying shows.
The true focus of the event, however, was not the number of visitors, but rather showcasing our hobby in its most spectacular form. The goal was to create high-quality content for social media and make the fascination of model aviation accessible to the widest possible audience. To achieve this, professional drone pilots from the Netherlands were brought in specifically to capture stunning aerial footage of the flight demonstrations.
The success of this concept is already becoming apparent. The first clips released online reached millions of viewers within just a few days.
The new format also offered many advantages on site. The compact layout of the venue meant short walking distances and a clear, convenient event setup. There were virtually no queues at the food and beverage stations, leaving more time for conversations with pilots, guests, and organizers. For many participants, this personal interaction was a key part of what made the atmosphere so special.
Another highlight was the specially constructed grandstand. It provided a unique elevated view of the flight line and offered a perspective normally associated with the famous Reno Air Races. While the extreme daytime heat discouraged many visitors from making full use of this feature, the grandstand was almost completely filled during the impressive night flying show.
Of course, this new format will not appeal equally to everyone. Families who experienced the Airmeet in previous years may have differing opinions about the changes. From the perspective of an active participant, however, the event was an undeniable success.
The footage of the F-14 XXL that has already been released online alone demonstrates the added value this concept has created.
My sincere thanks go to Horizon Hobby and especially to Stefan.
At a time when discussions are often dominated by challenges and limitations, it is far from a given that an event of this scale and ambition can be organized. That makes the willingness to explore new ideas, and to continue investing so much energy and passion into promoting our hobby, all the more remarkable.
For me, Horizon Airmeet 2026 was not only an exceptionally well-organized event, but also an exciting glimpse into what the future of model aviation events could look like.
Together with my buddy Luka, we went to the UAE for a short holiday and to attend the MAAD (Model Aircraft Airshow Dubai).
In May 2025, the two T-28 Trojans had their maiden flights, and now here’s a photo series documenting their construction!
