7. UAV Flight Test Convention 2026
23–24 September 2026 | Graz & Steinalpl
Hosted by FH JOANNEUM Institute Aviation
Featuring live streams from Leck (GER) and Winterthur (CH)
Save the Date
For the first time in Austria
The UAV Flight Test Convention is one of the most important annual specialist events for unmanned aerial systems in the German-speaking world and beyond. Each year, it provides a unique platform for research institutions, public authorities, industry partners and users from a wide range of sectors to come together to shape the future of drone technology. In 2026, the 7th Convention will take place in Austria for the first time – a special occasion with an international audience strengthening the local research landscape but also underlining the enormous significance of Graz as a location for the further development of UAS technology.
With FH JOANNEUM as the technical and scientific host and AIRlabs Austria as the implementation and infrastructure partner, the 7th UAV Flight Test Convention 2026 brings together two worlds: scientific expertise and practical application. The focus is on real-world applications, industrial development and direct exchange between research and industry – with test environments offering real-world operational conditions in an alpine setting.
The event‘s diverse setting provides a particular highlight: selected flight demonstrations will be streamed live directly from Winterthur (CH) and Leck (GER). This extends the convention beyond the venue itself, giving participants direct access to a variety of test environments and operational scenarios across Europe.
The two-day event thus offers an extraordinary perspective on what is technologically possible – in the lecture theatre, in the laboratory and in the open air.
Hosted by
FH JOANNEUM
A modern teaching and research environment, providing the ideal setting for an international convention
The first day of the event, 23 September 2026, will take place at FH JOANNEUM in Graz, a modern and superbly equipped teaching and research facility that provides the ideal setting for an international specialist event.
The campus’s central location makes it easy to reach from both within the country and abroad: it is within walking distance of the main railway station, has direct links to public transport, and is just a short train ride from Graz Airport.
Conference Chair: Dr Holger Friehmelt
The 7th UAV Flight Test Convention 2026 is scientifically guided and chaired by Holger Friehmelt, Head of the Institute of Aviation at FH JOANNEUM.
With extensive experience in aerospace research, industrial development, and international innovation projects, he combines academic expertise with practical application. His current areas of focus include uncrewed aerial systems, aerodynamics, lightweight structures, and future-oriented aviation technologies.
Through his international research and industry experience, he significantly shapes the technical direction of the 7th UAV Flight Test Convention 2026 and contributes to its scientific and application-oriented character.
International partners & programme highlights
The UAV Flight Test Convention is distinguished by its strong international network and diverse range of technical perspectives. In 2026, leading research institutions and organisations from across Europe will once again be actively contributing their expertise to the programme, shaping the event’s key thematic focus areas.
Particular emphasis is placed on practical insights into the latest developments in autonomous UAS operations, innovative testing methods and integration into real-world operational environments. The programme is complemented by live links to international test sites, giving participants a direct insight into operational scenarios and ongoing trials.
LINA -Bridging the Gap to Autonomous Operations
funded by the Zurich Universities’ Digitalisation Initiative (DIZH)
With the LINA project, the ZHAW School of Engineering is making a key contribution to the UAV Flight Test Convention 2026.
The focus lies on the successful transition from today’s drone applications to safe and scalable autonomous operations.
During the presentation entitled ‘LINA: Bridging the Gap to Autonomous Operations’, participants will gain insights into the latest technological developments, integration approaches and practical challenges in the context of autonomous UAS systems.
Live stream to Winterthur: real-world test environments are brought into view, and the theoretical content of the presentation is supplemented by practical demonstrations.
Picture ©ZHAW School of Engineering
KDS- DroneTec
funded by the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy pursuant to a resolution of the German Bundestag
KDS Dronetec is one of our international partners, who join the 7th UAV Flight Test Convention 2026, offering valuable insights into current research and development topics in the field of unmanned aerial systems.
The focus will be on innovative approaches from applied research as well as practical questions regarding the deployment and further development of UAS technologies under real-world conditions.
Live stream to Leck: Here, participants will gain a live view of operational test scenarios.
Image ©KDS DroneTec
Bring Your Own Drone!
Day 1: Research, discussions and a look behind the scenes in the laboratories in Graz
The day begins with the official opening and a welcome address by the scientific directors followed by an interactive discussion session. Experts in research, industry and government/public administration will discuss the latest developments in UAS technology, regulatory frameworks and specific use cases.
The focus will be on practical issues such as innovative drone propulsion systems, flight safety in real-world operations, BVLOS missions, sensor integration and automation solutions. Technological developments are not presented in isolation but are examined collectively with regard to their industrial feasibility and future market potential. Direct dialogue and open discussion are deliberately placed at the forefront.
Practical workshops, live demonstrations and international insights
Following a joint lunch break, FH JOANNEUM will open the doors to its aviation laboratory. Participants will gain exclusive insights into simulation technology, measuring instruments and test facilities, and will have the opportunity to contribute their own experiences and exhibits to the professional exchange.
Particularly noteworthy are the two practice-oriented live simulation environments, which not only impart research acumen but also allow participants to experience real-world application scenarios. On the NIST course, participants can bring their own UAV and test their flying skills in a standardised test environment – an opportunity that is exceptional in this form. In addition, the full-motion flight simulator on a six-degrees-of-freedom motion platform offers the chance to simulate dynamic flight scenarios realistically and to test control behaviour, algorithms and sensor models in real time.
These are complemented by live links to partner sites in Winterthur and Leck, showcasing further test environments and current development projects and strengthening international collaboration.
Development Dialogues and an Evening in a Historic Setting
In the afternoon, the ideas from the morning will be explored further in moderated development dialogues. Industry representatives and researchers will present current projects and, together with the audience, discuss specific challenges and potential solutions facing the sector. A particular highlight will be the topic of drone propulsion, which will not only be explored in technical depth but also brought to life through a practical demonstration.
The day will conclude with a networking dinner in a historic setting. The exact venue will be announced soon — but one thing is certain: the evening will provide a unique atmosphere for in-depth discussions, new collaborations, and international networking.
Day 2: Real-world flight missions in the Steinalpl alpine test area
On the second day of the event, 24 September 2026, participants will be taken to the test area – LO-R9 Steinalpl in the Mürzsteg Alps – an alpine region offering ideal conditions for challenging drone test flights rarely available in this form. Following a joint welcome at the Freinerhof, there will be a short drive to the test area, where real-world flight missions will take place under genuine alpine conditions.
The Steinalpl test area covers around 102 square kilometres and allows flight operations up to a maximum altitude of 7,500 feet AMSL.
The largely uninhabited, forested low mountain ranges generally result in a Ground Risk Class A or B, thereby enabling operations within the SAIL II category with a comparatively efficient authorisation process. At the same time, the area meets the regulatory requirements to apply for and carry out more complex missions based on a SORA assessment in accordance with Article 13.
Steinalpl as a real-world testing ground for UAV systems
Thanks to its natural weather conditions, topography and infrastructure, the region is an ideal location for testing sensor technology, BVLOS cross-country flights, mobile communications measurements, aerodynamic properties and navigation systems under real-world conditions. Where laboratory conditions reach their limits, the real-world test environment begins.
As part of the flight demonstrations, various project teams and research partners will present their platforms, missions and systems. Participants will experience first-hand how UAVs navigate difficult terrain, the challenges posed by the topography, and how key factors such as thermal conditions, signal ranges and technical redundancy affect operations in the Alpine environment. Depending on the weather and final arrangements, the lunch break will take place at the Sulzriegelalm or the Freinerhof, before the afternoon continues with further demonstrations.
With the conclusion of the second day, the 7th UAV Flight Test Convention 2026 draws to a close, opening up space for new perspectives, collaborations and ideas that extend far beyond the event itself.
An event that brings together a spirit of inquiry, technology and real-world practice
The UAV Flight Test Convention 2026 offers not only technical content but a comprehensive experience: it combines scientific excellence, practical application, real-world test conditions and the opportunity to exchange ideas with leading experts in academia, industry and government. The combination of lecture theatre, laboratory and alpine test site makes this edition of the convention particularly diverse – and underlines Austria’s importance as a hub for modern aviation research and UAS development.
Image ©FH JOANNEUM / Stefan Leitner