Opener BlackFly

Again, we could have picked any number of cutting-edge designs for this spot in our lineup of important planes at AirVenture because the point is, EAA's annual summer showcase is all about embracing and celebrating innovation in aviation. That mission alone is worth standing on the rooftops and celebrating. And the BlackFly is about as innovative as it gets. A vertical takeoff and landing multicopter with a shocking shape, the BlackFly is a fly-by-wire ultralight---a phrase I never thought I'd write---one that carefully curates the flying experience while still letting the pilot be at the center of the fun. As with other planes that have made a splash at OSH, the BlackFly might not stand the test of time, but the innovations it showcases will.