Latest in Scale Helicopters

We are in the planning stages for HeliStorm™ 2026, which, if held, would occur on September 2-6, 2026 on the front grounds of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. Here are the variables that we are dealing with:

1. The USAF Foundation is unable to contribute funds to the event. Last time, they kicked in $25,000 so this is a large negative.

2. I am unwilling to fund the full $26,450 I contributed last year to cover shortfalls and still do the work to host the event. I will cover small shortfalls.

3. The schools in the Dayton area have indicated that they will not send students out on a field trip that early in the school year. Accordingly, there will be no full scale helicopter industry participation.

All of this means that HeliStorm™ would simply be a massive fun fly event with the following extras:

1. Exhibitors from the RC industry
2. Large central pilot lounge
3. Learning workshops
4. Silent auction with mobile phone bidding
5. Food trucks
6. Pizza party on Friday
7. Formal banquet inside the museum (with private touring)
8. Informal attendance by the general public (and accompanying promotion by the museum)
9. Bring your own tent
10. No on-site camping (other than by Darrell Sprayberry who would run security).
11. Relaxed flying contests judged by RC pilots
12. Pilot's choice awards in various categories

Please indicate your willingness/likelihood of attending the event. We expect the cost of attendance to run in the neighborhood of $165-195/pilot with no distinction between flying and non-flying pilots. All paying pilots (and their guests, who would cost less if they wish to attend the banquet and pizza party) are entitled to fly and have access to the flight line and pilot lounge.

This poll will help me decide whether or not to host the event. HeliStorm™ became the largest scale helicopter event in the world in its inaugural year. We can either keep that going or punt! (After you vote, please share this poll with anyone you think might want to attend).

What do you think?

HeliStorm™ is pleased to partner with renown designer, Mirco Pecorari of Aircraft Studio Design. Founded in 1989, AircraftStudioDesign has been creating unique and custom liveries for aircraft for over 30 years. But their expertise goes beyond that. Over time, they have expanded into liveries for cars and boats, as well as concept design for aircraft and luxury objects. They collaborate with some of the most renowned companies in the industry, such as Rolls-Royce, EXTRA, and Red Bull, alongside an exclusive clientele.

Mirco is a member of the HeliStorm™ Industry Board of Advisors and will be contributing design services to the event. Stay tuned for some really cool announcements.

The dates are now OFFICIAL! HeliStorm 2026 will begin on Wednesday, September 2nd and end on Sunday, September 6th (the following Monday is Labor Day). We will have more information but I can tell you:
- We are coordinating with the museum to bring in at least 4 busloads of students on each weekday of the event.
- Our new layout will feature three big flight areas and a dedicated CENTER STAGE area with vendors and spectators situated dead center on the main flight box. (see the map)
- We will have up to 20 full scale industry members inside a dedicated recruiting tent
- We will have a "Flight School" tent for students
- We will have a pilot lounge for pilots just like last year with seminars and hands-on learning
- Great food
- Much more...

This past weekend the Edgewood Flyers hosted its annual scale event. We had 14 registered pilots with 25+ aircraft of all sizes. Friday was very windy and a few braved the gusting wind to get in a few flights. Saturday brought some light showers to the area followed by some fog and clouds but cleared up to be a perfect flying day by 1100 or so. Lunch was burgers and dogs and local member "Ozzie" treated us with his famous baked beans with bacon and a side of bacon and his also famous beer steamed hot dogs. I think most wanted to catch a nap after the big lunch however did not to take advantage of the perfect weather. If you are local to Long Island this is a great event. The is the best heli flying site on LI. The event is held around the same time every year.

Here are some photos from the event.

Hope to see you next year.

B

Several of the North Eastern Scale pilots got together this past weekend for the Annual Joe Howard Memorial Scale Fun Fly at the NEHC site in Foxboro MA for some scale flying. We had 8 to 10 pilots enjoying the best weather we have seen this year on Friday. Saturday brought some morning showers however the showers stopped just after lunch. Still cloudy but overall conditions were great to pick up where we left off Friday evening. I personally got in 16 flights total , 7 each on my VH-92A Patriot and S-67 Blackhawk, but only 2 flights on my RAH-66. It had a little shake I was not comfortable flying with until checked out.

Rich brought his 2.5m 407 and got in maybe 8 or 9 flight for the weekend. This thing is flying great and makes a very big presents in the air for sure. Wally had is latest project on hand, a Len Mount Lynx he purchase about a year ago. The Lynx is coming together very nicely. Joel as always was getting in several flight with his turbine Lama and banging around with his K-Max.

We have to thank Joel for hosting this event each year. It's very laid back and comfortable event where we fly each day until 7 or 8 pm. Joel cooks up burgers and dogs for lunch each day with either ordering food in for diner or we all head off to a local place for a relaxing diner.

I am sure there was a good time had by all and look forward to this event each year. If you are local to the area, or even not, this is an event you should try and attend.

The next North East Scale event is 27-28 June on Long Island at the Edgewood Flyers field. If you would like more info it is posted in the event section on HS or message me.

Here are a few vids and photos from the weekend.

Thanks for dropping by,

B

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK3YrRGh_Xo&t=14s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MUQyRsVN3qk&t=41s