HeliStorm SETS NEW STANDARD FOR RC

When most of us think about a scale helicopter event, we envision a field in the middle of nowhere, some picnic benches and a grill. Don't get me wrong, those events are a blast and we pilots really enjoy them. They are a communal gathering where we can relax and trade stories and tips. HeliStorm was designed with a different goal in mind -- to shine a light on the most complex segment of the RC hobby; one that will attract students and adult newcomers into the hobby.

Who is Going?

To pull this off, HeliStorm has three audiences; scale helicopter pilots, students (and familes) and aviation industry professionals. Organized as a 501(c)(3) charity, HeliStorm plans to award award $5,000 in cash scholarships to the top three STEM schools that send the most administrators, faculty members and students to the event.  Students will be introduced to the fascinating world of scale radio control helicopters. In turn, members of the aviation industry will be drawn to engage with students as part of their workforce development initiatives. The helicopter industry is experience a massive shortage of A&P's, techs and pilots. At their recent worldwide expo, Verticon 2025, Vertical Aviation International (VAI) the industry's largest trade association, conducted a 2-hour working panel discussion during which the panelists cited the need to engage students at an earlier level in their educational journey. HeliStorm is precisely the type of event they like because the radio control hobby both engages and teaches students as they move through middle and high school. It also allows them to maintain a connection to the industry. 

At Verticon, HeliStorm was able to secure partnerships with four major helicopter manufacturers, whose names will be announced in the coming weeks. That breakthrough was all that was needed to secure longevity and success in this and future instances of HeliStorm. 

Pilots of all levels are encouraged to attend. Those just beginning in the hobby will be able to meet and learn from industry experts like, Peter Jakadofsky, Matthias Strupf, Gonzalo Martinez, Joel Rosenzweig, Tyler Gray, Patrick Leong, Mark Smith and many others. Based on existing registrations, there should be more than 150 models to ogle as well. For RC pilots and enthusiasts who want to attend, registration closes near the beginning of May 2025. Given the complexity of the event, there will be no walk-up or last-minute registrations allowed. As of March 23, 2025, there were 75 pilots signed up to attend, along with more than 20 exhibitors. Both flying and non-flying pilots may register. All pilots are treated to 3.5 days of flying along with an array of activities and gifts:

• After-hours private banquet and tour inside the museum
• Access to a 90' x 30' air-conditioned pilot lounge with free refreshments
• Access to ongoing workshops conducted by RC industry experts
• Access to a silent auction with $60,000 in new products and several bespoke RTF helicopters
• Relaxed flying competitions judged by full scale pilots and Sheldon Cohen, Bell Helicopter's 26-year veteran videographer
• A Friday night pizza party
• A HeliStorm-embroidered golf shirt (which you can get customized with your name on the sleeve)
• A package of gifts inside an insulated HeliStorm-branded grocery tote
• A chance to win a custom ScaleHeliPilot-branded poker chip set by playing Pilot Poker

Innovation

To make the event as seamless as possible, HeliStorm has employed (and created) an arsenal of powerful software platforms to automate registration, auction bidding, competition scoring and voting on "best of" ballots.

The event will also be covered both locally and internationally. Online mega-channel, SuperCar Blondie, will be sending a crew from the UK and Dubai to cover the event. That channel boasts more than 105 million subscribers. In addition, Model Aviation and Model Airplane News will be on site!

TTo learn more about the event and to register, just visit HeliStorm.org.