Tecnam’s Riveting ‘Rivale’ Unveiled at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026

Italian aircraft manufacturer Tecnam made a dramatic entrance at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh 2026 with the grand unveiling of its new single-engine aircraft, the Tecnam Rivale. The July 22 reveal, held at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, was anything but conventional. Instead of presenting a finished airplane, Tecnam showcased an artistic 3,000-pound stainless steel sculpture that beautifully highlighted the aircraft’s flowing design lines and the actual engine cowling.

The Rivale, Italian for “rival”, is a deliberate nod to the presence of several competing piston-aircraft manufacturers in the crowd during the announcement. The aircraft is designed to redefine the personal flying experience, blending Italian luxury aesthetics with cutting-edge engineering.

• Key technology partners have been confirmed:
• The Rivale will be powered by the Continental CD-300, a 300 hp V-6 turbodiesel engine with full authority digital engine control (FADEC).
• It will also feature the newly announced Garmin G2000 Prime avionics suite, bringing turbine-class touchscreen technology into the high-performance piston market.

Giovanni Pascale Langer, Tecnam’s Managing Director, stated that “the aircraft remains to be discovered,” with full design and performance details set to be revealed at Aero Friedrichshafen 2027. The Rivale is a testament to Tecnam’s 75-year legacy and a global fleet of over 8,200 aircraft operating in more than 65 countries.

Source: Aerotime.aero – Tecnam Rivale at EAA AirVenture 2026