WHAT IS HAPPENING
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.
Scale will now occupy a 300 yard (900 ft) long dedicated tent, pit, and flight area on the west end of the main show footprint. With nothing to the west and a 50-foot buffer to the right, scale pilots can stretch their rotors in a safe and relaxed one-pilot-at-a-time flight box.
To add more safety, IRCHA has agreed that the pilot box immediately to the right of the scale area will be occupied solely by sponsored pilots. The new layout gives scale pilots a much larger audience and a longer, deeper, and less constrained flight area than in years past.
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.
SCALE PRESENCE
in the
mix
The scale flight area sits on the west end of the main show footprint — with open air to the west and a 50-foot buffer separating it from adjacent activity.
Our static tent area will allow for more convenient pilot access and a more proximate location to spectators, giving your model the visibility it deserves.
INCLUSIVE NEW COMPETITION FORMAT
TWO CLASSES
SIX AWARDS
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!
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.
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!
AUGUST 5-8, 2026
FEEL THE FEAR.
FLY ANYWAY.
Even the world's best scale helicopter pilots feel nervous when competing. That's just part of the fun. With the new HeliStorm format, everyone competes — on their own terms.
AMA HEADQUARTERS • MUNCIE, INDIANA • IRCHA JAMBOREE