Article

HeliStorm 2025 Post Mortem

Michael K.Jun 2, 2025

HIGH HOVER OVERVIEW

More than 16 months in the making, the inaugural HeliStorm™ 2025 wrapped on June 1st and by all accounts was the largest and most unique scale helicopter event in the world. Never before has there been such a multi-faceted event dedicated to our niche-within-a-niche hobby. Moreover, the event's novel structure proved that future events are possible and that our small segment of the radio control hobby can help full scale aviation partners nurture future workforce members. As the photo (courtesy of Ray Cervantes) shows, HeliStorm™ brought people and two industries together in a spectacular setting -- The National Museum of the United States Air Force.

THE NUMBERS

Most of us measure the success of an event based on the number of pilots or models that attend the event. This is not a bad measure if that's all you have. HeliStorm™ will be measured by more than the numbers; namely, the event will be measured by both the numbers and by the excitement and memories it generated for those who attended. Regardless of the yardstick, the sentiment from pilots and industry exhibitors spoke loudly in their almost uniform question to me after the event: "When is HeliStorm™ 2026?" That's never a good thing to ask an event promoter as they are soaking in the last moments of the current event, but I was happy to hear and answer it. Based on the turnout and the reception by attendees of all kind, HeliStorm™ 2026 is provisionally scheduled to occur in early September 2026 at the same venue. More about that, below.

But what about the numbers? Here's how they stacked up:

104 registered paying pilots (10 cancellations)
153 scale models
21 states represented
5 countries represented
20 exhibitors
11 non-RC exhibitors
3 of the top 4 helicopter manufacturers in the world
$31,700 in 19 different auction items SOLD!

THE COMPETITION

Despite high winds, 10 different pilots stepped up to compete in our 4 competitions (Team Formation, Precision Hover, Military Flight and EMS Flight). Rounds were judged by full scale helicopter pilots, who know a thing or two about how a helicopter should perform in flight. Our winners were:

Team Formation: PICKLES (Tyler Gray and Mike Spinner)

Precision Hover: Tim DiPeri

Military Flight: Danny Melnik

EMS Flight: Ben Richardson

Pilots also voted on their favorite models. The winners were:

Best of Show: Romano Pesce

Best Military: Romano Pesce

Best EMS: Butch Wellmaker

Flying Ace: Joel Rosenzweig

THE EXPERIENCE

HeliStorm™ added dimension to what we typically experience at fun fly events. Each pilot was greeted at check-in with a pilot bag chock full of cool stuff. The pilot bag (a branded, insulated and reusable grocery bag) had an embroidered HeliStorm™ golf shirt, a branded metal water bottle, a pilot log book, a deck of HeliStorm™ playing cards and other items (if you didn't attend, you can buy HeliStorm™ merchandise here). Each pilot also received a color program with the event schedule, activity highlights, competition rules and safety rules. It's always the small details that make a huge difference.

One of the most well-received features of the event was the Pilot Lounge workshop series. Pilots were treated to seminars on topics we all need to understand to be successful in the hobby. Tim DiPeri, Danny Melnik, Tyler Gray, Joel Rosenzweig, Peter Jakadofsky, Mark Smith and Patrick Leong all gave highly instructive presentations. Mark Smith of HeliWorkshop went one step further by gathering pilots around a work table to learn about and try their hands at riveting. The workshops were key to the event, not only because they impart truckloads of useful guidance, but also because Friday morning brought soaking rains. Rather than sulk in their pit spaces, pilots were able to chill in the Airbus Pilot Lounge with free refreshments and loads of learning.

Beyond the workshops, pilots got to interact with the public beneath the "Show & Tell" tent. For the most part, the S&T tent was buzzing as curious onlookers got to see models up close and chat with pilots about all that went into their creations. At the next HeliStorm, the S&T tent will grow!

Competitions bring out the best in pilots, but sometimes, they don't bring out the pilots. At HeliStorm, we had relaxed competitions that invited new entrants, who might otherwise have opted out of a more serious contest, like Nats. Fun commentary by the announcer coupled with cheering spectators helped keep things light. Ben Richardson even took home hardware in his first-ever competition.

For both scoring and voting, we used RCLiveScore.com. This new app allowed judges to quickly and easily score flights from their own phones. Scores were computed instantly and fellow pilots along with spectators could view scores, models and pilot profiles.

The silent auction also leveraged new technology to let bidders scan auction items and instantly enter their bids. Overbid notices went out by text message so nobody was left in the dark. Bidders provided credit cards during their first bid so that winning bidders simply needed to pick up the item after they received a notice. Again, small conveniences like this make the process fun and easy for both event host and participant.

The event banquet, which capped the event, treated pilots to a fun fly experience unlike any they had experienced before. Held amidst massive aircraft withinHangar 2 of the museum, the setting and 135-attendee crowd combined to form an enduring memory for all who atteneded. The food and service was first class and the crowd got to play "Pilot Poker" which had each table dealing out a single hand of 5-card poker to see who would represent the table in the final playoff. In the end, Patrick Leong walked away with a ScaleHeliPilot-branded poker chip set with custom HeliStorm™ cards.

Following dinner, the museum provided attendees with private, unrestricted access to the museum. If you have never been to the museum, it is hard to fully grasp the size and scope of the exhibits. The largest military museum in the world, NMUSAF is a destination in and of itself. Having it all to ourselves was an unmatched treat for every aviation enthusiast in the bunch.

THE FUTURE

HeliStorm™ 2026? Even before the event had concluded, pilots were asking me about "next year!" As I see it, from the perspective of pilots, the event was unquestionably worth having again. From my perspective, another event will allow me to grow a board of helicopter industry companies and form a staff to execute on the student-to-industry piece of this initiative. As it happened, the museum gave me the weekend of school graduation in Ohio. That prevented busloads of students from coming out (which several schools indicated would have happened had the event occurred during the school year). So, for 2026, we are eyeballing early September. Solidly in the school year (which begins in August in Ohio) and during a more weather-friendly time of the year, a September date seems ideal. This not only gives our team another 3 months to plan, but it also gives the museum ample time to promote. For now, however, I will enjoy the calm and maybe get in a flight or two.

I thank everyone who came for supporting the vision. It's real. It works. It made an impact. Special Events Chief, JC Snediker, along with museum director, David Tillotson III and former director and retired USAF lieutenant general, Jack Hudson, all spoke to me and Dave Millner about how impressed they were with the event. With that level of support from the museum, our plans are to hold the event in Dayton again next year.

THE TEAM

Although I tried like hell to do this myself, my efforts were thwarted by former IRCHA president, Dave Millner. Millner was indespensible in the execution of this complex event. He handled everything from tent setup to safety fencing and A/V. I must have shipped the guy 5 pallets worth of signage, shirts, swag, promotional material and merchandise. He handled it like a champ and, as a result, has committed to support HeliStorm™ 2026 unbeknownst to him. I'd also like to recognize former IRCHA Secretary, Shannon Lloyd, who ran the volunteer crew and did just about every other ad hoc task we needed him to do. Finally, a tip of my cap to Joe Conti (bro-in-law), Abby Kranitz (the Mrs.), Matt Kranitz (son and announcer) and Jax Kranitz (daughter and media coordinator) who took 3 days out of their lives to jump into our crazy world. They will never be mentally the same for embedding themselves with scale helicopter pilots, but I think they enjoyed everything about it. Finally, a massive thanks to Special Events Chief, JC Snediker and his go-to execution wizard, Lauryn Bayliff, of the NMUSAF, without whom this event would not have run the way it did!

THE END - FOR NOW

You may have noticed that what was once ScaleHeliPilot is now HeliStorm™ Community. We will be changing the web address soon to HeliStorm.com (already forwards here) and ScaleHeliPilot.com will forward to the new URL. Not a huge difference for you, but a big difference in how we want the HeliStorm™ brand to grow within our community, the student community and the helicopter industry. This is where the information about HeliStorm 2026 will reside, so download the notification app from the Apple or Google stores and stay up to speed! Meanwhile, enjoy the memories we all made at HeliStorm™ 2025.