The sonic snarls of vintage Harvards are synonymous with Warbirds and there will still be many combustion engine-powered aircraft at the show next Easter.
But the event has gone stratospheric with its plans to display electric and solar-powered aircraft and drones.
The "Future of Aviation" exhibition features Wisk, a US joint-venture company that is trialling its all-electric, self-flying air taxi in the Mackenzie Country.
Wisk will be joined at Wanaka by Christchurch-based companies ElectricAir and Kea Aerospace, and Australian outfit Swoop Aero.
The Rangiora- and Christchurch-based Pipistrel Alpha Electro is a two-seat light sport aircraft designed for pilot training.
It is entirely composite with carbon fibre wings and fuselage, making it light and strong.
About 70% quieter than an aviation fuel equivalent, it produces zero exhaust emissions.
The Electro can fly for about an hour plus reserves at a fuel cost of about $2.
Kea Aerospace is exhibiting a solar-powered, remotely piloted aircraft, the Kea Atmos.
With a wingspan of 32m, the Kea Atmos will be the largest uncrewed aircraft designed and built in the southern hemisphere.
Swoop Aero is a drone-powered logistics company founded in 2017 in Australia.
It aims to be providing services to onebillion people in 2030, including workers in the health, transport, disaster management and search and rescue industries.
Swoop Aero’s drones have been already delivering Covid-19 vaccines to remote communities around the world.
Warbirds Over Wanaka is scheduled for April 15-17 at Wanaka Airport.
