Thanks to our growing list of supporting partners
PILOT’S CHOICE
HANG, FLY OR COMPETE
YOUR CHOICE
When you register for HeliStorm, you get the FULL IRCHA PACKAGE plus your choice to either compete or simply display your model (and be eligible for a pilot’s choice award). If you are just coming to hang out at the scale tent, there’s an option for that also (no charge for hanging out, of course),
COMPETITION FOR THOSE WHO LIKE IT
SCALE FLYING
reimagined
HeliStorm has teamed up with IRCHA and completely reimagined how scale helicopters are represented at the IRCHA Jamboree — and how competition in the scale community should be run.
We will fly in the same space west of the main flight line where pilots have the shortest distance from their tents/tables to the flight line.
The big change is with the format of the event.
A COMPETITION FOR PILOTS OF ALL EXPERIENCE LEVELS AND ALL CONFIDENCE LEVELS.
For as long as most of us can remember, the rules for competing in scale helicopter contests were rigorous and intimidating. We have changed all of that.
On the flying side, judging has always been a bit opaque. Current rules also lack a standardized and objective method to reward pilots who perform more difficult maneuvers.
HeliStorm convened a panel of experts to create a brand new set of competition classes and judging factors — so everyone can challenge themselves in competition.
Let your nerves chatter. The best pilots fly with vibrating hands; you are in good company. Feel the fear and fly anyway!
INCLUSIVE NEW COMPETITION FORMAT
TWO CLASSES
SIX AWARDS
The rulebook is coming soon! Choose the class that fits you the best. ALL skill levels are invited. Routines consist of 5 mandatory maneuvers and 2 freestyle maneuvers that you select from a catalog in the LiveJudge™ app. Judges score flying on realism and precision. Static is scored such that even beginning builders/assemblers can feel good about entering their models!
CHALLENGER
Low pressure • All skill levels • Join the competition with similarly skilled pilotsDesigned for pilots to showcase smooth, fundamental flight control. Challengers can fly anything other than a GPS-controlled model. Gyros are fine; we just want to see YOU flying the model. No experience threshold.
FLYING CLASSThe flying rubric is a flexible "build-your-own" affair Pilots must perform 2 mandatory maneuvers, which will include a scale liftoff and hover component and a horizontal fly-by, along with 3 freestyle maneuvers, which the pilot will select from a catalog within the LiveJudge app. STATIC CLASS
Pilots may enter any ARF, kit, or scratch-built model, regardless of who built the model. Pilots will make a 3-4 minute presentation. Documentation is not required, but will help improve the final score. A "proof of flight" hover is required to qualify for an award.
MASTERS
Advanced class • Competent flying skills • High quality fit and finishThis class is for more experienced pilots and builders who don't mind mixing it up with other skilled pilots. Pilots must demonstrate full control of their machine in flight.
FLYING CLASSThe flying rubric is a 100% flexible "build-your-own" affair. Pilots will perform 5 freestyle maneuvers, which they can choose from a catalog within the LiveJudge app.
STATIC CLASSPilots may enter any ARF, kit, or scratch-built model, regardless of who built the model. Pilots will make a 3-4 minute presentation. Models should have at least ONE photo or drawing of the type of helicopter being modeled (not the exact one). Models with more thorough documentation will be rewarded with higher scores. A "proof of flight" hover is required to qualify for an award.
REGISTRATION
HOW MUCH TO
HANG, FLY OR COMPETE?
To attend HeliStorm @ IRCHA, everyone must pay the IRCHA registration fee. We are collecting that fee on behalf of IRCHA for those who have yet to register directly with IRCHA. If you have already registered with IRCHA, just choose the “Already paid IRCHA” path on the registration form and we won’t collect that.
If you just want to hang out at the HeliStorm pavilion, there is no cost.
If you want to fly at the HeliStorm flight area, it’s 10 bucks for the entire event. This helps us pay for tables, chairs and the tent.
Fee Structure
| IRCHA Fee (passed along to IRCHA) | $100 |
| Hanging @ HeliStorm | FREE |
| Flying or just displaying a model @ HeliStorm | $10 |
| Competing in both static and flying (Masters or Challenger) | $25 |
| Competing in static only or flying only (Masters or Challenger) | $15 |
LIVEJUDGE™ TECHNOLOGY
WE OWE YOU
BETTER JUDGING
HeliStorm uses state-of-the-art software built specifically for HeliStorm — with weighting, normalization and statistical scaling to remove bias and eliminate math and transposition errors. Results are instantaneous, which keeps the event running smoothly.
SCORING RUBRIC
AT YOUR
FINGERTIPS
Nobody wants to leaf through PDF’s at a flying contest. The required and freestyle maneuvers are right on your device. The video shows how easy it is to simple tap an element to view the description, weighting and, where applicable the difficulty factor (K factor).
We will have diagrams to accompany the explanations and other data.
SCALE COMMUNITY
A PLACE FOR you
and YOUR MODELS
Once you load your models into the LiveJudge system, you can assign any of them to any other event that uses LiveJudge for pilot’s choice voting or judging of any kind.
Friends and hobby enthusiasts worldwide can follow the action at this event and see specs, photos and video of your models. We all know that our models get lost on social media very soon after we post. With the LiveJudge hangar system, that will never happen!
COMMUNITY
TALK, SHARE
EXCITE & IGNITE
We invite you to share the run-up to HeliStorm 2026 by sharing your builds, flying practice, strategies and general excitement on HeliStorm.com, our community site. Whatever you post on HeliStorm gets cataloged and remains easily discoverable for months and years to come.
AUGUST 5-8, 2026
Even the world's best scale helicopter pilots feel nervous when flying at events. That's just part of the fun. With the new HeliStorm format, everyone flies — on their own terms.
AMA HEADQUARTERS • MUNCIE, INDIANA • IRCHA JAMBOREE