Author: James Wang

Edition: Model Aviation - 2026/06
Page Numbers: 78, 79, 80
RC Helicopters

Rotor Live 2026

By James Wang heloeditor@gmail.com

The weather was perfect for the 2026 ROTOR Live event that was held at the racecourse in Iffezheim, Germany. There were nonstop 3D, Speed, and Scale flying demonstrations from the best factory pilots.

There were 7,000 enthusiasts who attended the 2026 ROTOR Live show, which was held March 7-8 in Iffezheim, Germany. It is the largest RC helicopter flying demonstration and trade show in the world. This year, many new helicopters and accessories were unveiled during the two-day event. I will keep the text short and present many pictures.

RC Helicopters figure 1
(L-R): Holding the new Goosky RS7 helicopters are Sakkarin Kongthon, who was the champion of the 2025 Thailand Heli Blowout competition, and Lilian Many, a top French pilot.
(L-R): Holding the new Goosky RS7 helicopters are Sakkarin Kongthon, who was the champion of the 2025 Thailand Heli Blowout competition, and Lilian Many, a top French pilot.
One of the highlights was the intense 3D demonstrations of small 100- and 200-size helicopters. These models have a 10- to 14-inch rotor diameter and can perform what the big 700-size helis can do—but indoors.
One of the highlights was the intense 3D demonstrations of small 100- and 200-size helicopters. These models have a 10- to 14-inch rotor diameter and can perform what the big 700-size helis can do—but indoors.
The XLPower Stratus 200 was impressively demonstrated by previous Global 3D World Champion Kenneth Ko and by MinChan Kim. The main rotor is direct-drive, and an ESC is built into the motor.
The XLPower Stratus 200 was impressively demonstrated by previous Global 3D World Champion Kenneth Ko and by MinChan Kim. The main rotor is direct-drive, and an ESC is built into the motor.
OMPHOBBY introduced its new M7 and M6 helicopters. On the right is one of the top pilots, Jae Hong Lee, who has been competing in 3D for 20 years.
OMPHOBBY introduced its new M7 and M6 helicopters. On the right is one of the top pilots, Jae Hong Lee, who has been competing in 3D for 20 years.

Goosky, OMPHOBBY, and XLPower all unveiled their refined 700-size helicopter designs. Goblin Helicopters launched a new 590-size heli. The benefit of attending ROTOR Live is that you can see and touch new products and talk to factory pilots and designers to understand the intricate features.

Kavan is a German company that sold the world’s first RC helicopter in 1974, the Kavan Jet Ranger. This model is still in production today. Kavan now makes RC transmitters. Another new product is the FrSky VANTAC RF007 gyro, which leverages the open-source ROTORFLIGHT 2.x control technology.

There was a strong presence in tiny 100- and 200-size helicopters. Factory pilots from Mikado, OMPHOBBY, Goosky, and XLPower performed superhuman 3D demonstrations in a 40- x 40-foot indoor cage. The smaller they are, the faster the reflex that is required. These models are agile, yet they are very stable because of their design and modern flybarless controllers.

The most impressive item that I saw was a small bottle of glue from Schwanheimer Industriekleber GmbH, but it was not CA glue. It bonds instantly to metal, plastic, rubber, and silicone and can be debonded by acetone. This is a must-have product for every modeler.

(L-R): Bryan Barrow is the US distributor of ManiaX LiPo batteries, and Alex Liu is the founder. The specific energy of the company’s new batteries has been increased. Here, they hold the 5,100, 5,200, 5,500, and 5,800 mAh 12S batteries that are designed for 700-size helis.
(L-R): Bryan Barrow is the US distributor of ManiaX LiPo batteries, and Alex Liu is the founder. The specific energy of the company’s new batteries has been increased. Here, they hold the 5,100, 5,200, 5,500, and 5,800 mAh 12S batteries that are designed for 700-size helis.
The Schwanheimer Industrial Adhesive was most amazing product that the author saw at ROTOR Live—it is a must-have for every modeler. From German company Schwanheimer Industriekleber GmbH, this glue works by removing the oxygen layer and bonds metal, plastic, rubber, and even silicone materials.
The Schwanheimer Industrial Adhesive was most amazing product that the author saw at ROTOR Live—it is a must-have for every modeler. From German company Schwanheimer Industriekleber GmbH, this glue works by removing the oxygen layer and bonds metal, plastic, rubber, and even silicone materials.
Hacker has been in the RC motor business for 30 years and just unveiled a new line of four brushless motors for helicopters. Shown here are two of its 700-size heli motors: a higher-powered 540 Kv version and a slightly shorter-stator 532 Kv version.
Hacker has been in the RC motor business for 30 years and just unveiled a new line of four brushless motors for helicopters. Shown here are two of its 700-size heli motors: a higher-powered 540 Kv version and a slightly shorter-stator 532 Kv version.
Goblin Helicopters launches new models each year at ROTOR Live. The company debuted the Goblin 590 at this year’s show.
Goblin Helicopters launches new models each year at ROTOR Live. The company debuted the Goblin 590 at this year’s show.

Photo captions

Ra Kabun is the designer of XLPower. He is shown with the new Ultimate 700 heli and a brand-new 200-size ARF heli, the Stratus 200. There have been 18 patents introduced by these two models.

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