HeliStorm 2025
Full-Scale and Model Helicopters Unite
By Tim DiPeri | timdiper1@casecnc-inc.com | Photos courtesy of the author
HeliStorm, the brainchild of longtime model pilot Michael Krantz, hatched into existence in 2023. It would take nearly two years to make it a reality—the likes of which our hobby has never seen. Michael’s idea at the time was to attract students and the public to the world of RC scale helicopters by bringing in members of the full-scale helicopter industry.
The vertical-lift industry has a workforce shortage, and our hobby has a shortage of new members, but it also provides an enduring and accessible gateway to professionals in the full-scale industry. The principles we all take for granted (e.g., propulsion, aerodynamics, fuel systems, electronics, and problem-solving) are all applicable to careers in full-scale aviation.
Both the aviation industry and our hobby need young and enthusiastic candidates to grow. Michael reasoned that if he could bring those parties together in one forum, the result would be a hit for all involved. Having attended HeliStorm 2025, I can tell you that he was not wrong.
HeliStorm 2025 took place the last week of May in Dayton, Ohio. The actual flying venue was the entire front grounds of the National Museum of the United States Air Force (which is a part of the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base). Pilots and spectators were a short walk from the world’s largest military museum.
I arrived on Wednesday afternoon, as did many, to get set up with my pit area. Every registered pilot was provided with a space to accommodate a sun tent, table, chairs, etc. To say the flying field was excellent would almost be an understatement.
The Experience
HeliStorm was truly a unique experience from anything that I have been involved with during my 50-plus years of aeromodeling. I saw more than 150 unique Scale aircraft; met expert pilots; enjoyed educational seminars; competed in low-key, friendly flying competitions; and engaged with vendors that represented all aspects of the hobby.
Modelers from all over the world attended the event. Romano Pesce came all the way from Chile with his gorgeous (and massive) Sikorsky MH-60 Jayhawk helicopter, which broke down and fit neatly into a custom-designed carrying case that he was able to check in as “oversized luggage” on his flight. I thought taking a “pod and boom” helicopter was hard.
The variety and quality of models blew me away. There were a handful of rare HeliClassics models on display, including one of the only two Kamov Ka-52 Alligator coaxial helis that is flying, of which Gonzalo Martinez walked away with after a top-secret trade. Danny Melnik, of AeroPanda, flew a gigantic Boeing-Vertol CH-46 Sea Knight both in competition and just for fun. Roughly 10-feet long, the lumbering tandem was a crowd pleaser.
Styles of models varied across the spectrum. Military, commercial, EMS, police, and special-use helicopters were all out in full force. Vario Helicopters, Heli-Factory, Roban Model, Fly Wing, RotorScale, Funkey, and many custom models made the event a true catalog of what is possible in Scale helicopter flight!
The People
I was fortunate to meet a great deal of pilots for the first time. In the US, there are two main regions where Scale model pilots congregate: the East and the West. There are approximately 2,000 miles between the groups, so they have never assembled at one event.
The West Coast pilots fly out west and the East Coast pilots (including the Midwest) tend to fly together in the east. HeliStorm bridged that gap (even more since pilots from outside of the US were involved) and allowed us all to enjoy fellowship together.
The Education
All weekend long there were training seminars held inside the Airbus Pilot lounge, a massive tent situated
Competition Events—Formal but Fun
Mixed in with all of the activities and flying at HeliStorm 2025, there were multiple competitions available to anyone who wanted to participate. The categories included EMS, military, precision hover, and team formation. The competitions were judged by full-scale pilots and Bell Flight’s own Sheldon Cohen, a 25-year-old videographer and photographer who has shot every Bell helicopter throughout the quarter century of his life.
Judges, pilots, and spectators were introduced to LiveJudge, a web-based mobile app that let judges use their own cellphones to quickly enter scores. Spectators and pilots could follow the action and cast their votes for the “best of” contests. Michael has said that LiveJudge will be free for any event to use through the end of 2025.
at stage center. Unlike training that I’ve been involved with in the past, every one of the talks was focused on education rather than being a long advertisement for a product or company.
The presentations ran the gamut, covering topics such as 3D printing, turbine operations, gyro optimization, build techniques, and even hands-on riveting, during which Mark Smith, of HeliWorkshop, let us try our hand at placing rivets. Workshop training at HeliStorm 2025 was handled by Roban Model; Tyler Gray of Tyler Gray Models; Ben Minor, Pete Bisbal, and I represented Kontronik; Mark Smith of HeliWorkshop; Danny Melnik of AeroPanda; Matthias Strupf of HeliClassics; Joel Rosenzweig of Helitronics; Patrick Leong of Minimatronix; and Peter Jakadofsky of Jakadofsky Jet Engines.
Outside of the competitions, several of our West Coast compatriots showed off their skills at “Bambi” bucket water pickup and dumps. Mike Spinner and Tyler made the otherwise challenging maneuvers look as though they picked up water from a pool and delivered it to a simulated fire! Outside of the competitions, several of our West Coast compatriots showed off their skills at “Bambi” bucket water pickup and dumps. Mike Spinner and Tyler made the otherwise challenging maneuvers look as though they picked up water from a pool and delivered it to a simulated fire!
The Icing on the Cake
To top off the long weekend, we were all invited to an after-hours, private banquet feast inside of the National Museum of the United States Air Force. In addition to dinner, desert, and an awards ceremony, everyone was given two hours to wander around this world-class museum and take in the acres and acres of jaw-dropping exhibits.
The museum has the world’s largest collection of military aircraft, vehicles, and missiles. If you haven’t visited, this place is one of the best (the best, in my opinion) aviation museums in the world. But don’t take my word for it! According to Michael, he is already hard at work on HeliStorm 2026, which should occur in early September 2026. I am sure I will see you there!
SOURCES:
HeliStorm
www.helistorm.org
HeliStorm Community
https://helistorm.com/discussions
LiveJudge Voting/Scoring App
www.livejudge.com
National Museum of the United States Air Force
(937) 255-3286
www.nationalmuseum.af.mil
