The soaring spirit returns: gliding community heads back to Lake Constance for AERO 2027

At AERO 2027, taking place from 14 to 17 April 2027, gliding will once again take centre stage with the dedicated AERO Gliding Expo exhibition area. As part of Europe’s leading trade show for air sports, general aviation and business aviation, the sector will showcase its latest generation of high-performance, technology-driven sailplanes and innovations. Several leading manufacturers, including Schempp-Hirth Flugzeugbau GmbH, Jonkers Sailplanes, DG Aviation and Alexander Schleicher Segelflugzeugbau, have already confirmed their participation, alongside a wide range of industry suppliers and service providers.

The Complete Gliding Experience Comes to Hall B5

As the new home of the gliding community at AERO, Hall B5 will provide exhibitors and visitors with a dedicated environment designed to enhance networking, business opportunities, and the overall trade show experience. By bringing all gliding-related activities together under one roof, the new concept creates a central hub for manufacturers, suppliers, service providers, pilots, and enthusiasts alike.

The German Aero Club (DAeC), Germany’s national air sports association, will also be present with its own exhibition stand. Complementing the AERO Gliding Expo, a series of technical presentations and expert discussions will take place on the AERO Conference Stage in the East Foyer, offering valuable insights into the latest developments shaping the gliding sector. Together, Hall B5 and the adjacent exhibition areas will transform the entire B-axis of the Friedrichshafen exhibition grounds into a dedicated showcase for air sports, ultralights, and gliding.

Tobias Bretzel, AERO Show Director at fairnamic GmbH, commented: "Gliding has been an integral part of AERO since the very beginning. We are delighted to provide the community with an even stronger platform through our enhanced Hall B5 concept. With the hall dedicated exclusively to gliding, exhibitors benefit from maximum visibility and a highly focused audience. We encourage interested companies to secure their exhibition space early."

Tilo Holighaus, CEO of Schempp-Hirth, stated: "We are looking forward to presenting our latest developments at AERO 2027 in Friedrichshafen and engaging with customers, partners, prospective clients, and fellow aviation enthusiasts. The pace of innovation in gliding continues to be remarkable, delivering levels of performance and flying experiences that would have seemed unimaginable only a few years ago. AERO remains the ideal platform for dialogue, collaboration, and shaping the future of our sport together."

AERO 2027 will once again highlight the full spectrum of general aviation, air sports, and business aviation, reinforcing its position as one of the world's most important information, networking, and business platforms for the aviation industry.