Heli Extravaganza 2024

Enjoying RC helicopters, South Carolina style!

By Tim DiPeri [email protected] Photos provided by the author

As seen in the May 2025 issue of Model Aviation.

Heli Extravaganza, also known as Heli Ex, has been a successful and growing model helicopter event for more than 10 years. As one of the largest model aviation events in North America, Heli Ex attracts people and companies from across the US, as well as visitors from other countries.

Heli Ex 2024 took place from August 29 to September 1. The event was held at Triple Tree Aerodrome, located in Woodruff, South Carolina. This property was founded by Thomas Patterson "Pat" Hartness and has a rich history surrounding aviation. Born in 1941, Pat developed a passion for modeling and general aviation from an early age.

Helicopter flying low over grassy field with trees in the background. — On Friday, the field was temporarily shut down for a police search that successfully located a lost person using a full-scale helicopter.

The property was purchased in 1997 and operates as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. In Pat’s own words, Triple Tree Aerodrome provides a place and an attitude "to ignite and expand the passion for aviation."

I have attended model (and full-scale) aviation events for 50 years, in the US and other countries. To say this venue is impressive would be an understatement! The amenities at Triple Tree are amazing. An 800-foot flightline (along with multiple other areas to fly on the property) makes this venue a jewel for anyone who wants to have a wonderful experience. There are also 50 premium camping sites, acres of primitive camping spots, an air-conditioned pilots’ lounge, an enormous bathhouse with showers, and more.

The event website (listed in "Sources") is absolutely the best site I have seen for model aviation. All questions are answered, which makes life simple. Items such as camping, hotels, power at the field, activities, etc., are all clearly spelled out.

I had been told by others just how impressive the event is, but 2024 was my first year attending Heli Ex. Pulling into the 400-plus-acre facility, I passed multiple buildings, a museum, a river, and gardens! Driving past the 7,000-foot grass runway (the longest in the US, I believe), you can occasionally see the special 36-foot-wide mower that cuts it in three passes! It reminded me of the feeling I got when I first visited Disney as a kid.

Group near a military helicopter on grass, trees in background. — The organizers arranged to have a full-scale Bell UH-1 on-site. People had a look and enjoyed the visit.

Two men on a grassy field, surrounded by cones and a model helicopter. — ARCCHS officers instructed prospective pilots on the precision course setup.

Group of six men standing on a grassy field with a Segway and orange cones. — Showman Nick Maxwell never disappoints a crowd. He flew XLPower helicopters and many of the items from Nick Maxwell Products.

Heli Ex is a great place to see some of the best pilots in the world, as well as vendors showing the newest technologies. Representatives from companies, including HeliDirect, AMain Hobbies, AeroPanda, Kontronik, Futaba, Random Heli, BK Hobbies, and others, were on-site to answer questions and help people. This is the place to be if model helicopter flying is something that interests you.

The signature event at Heli Ex is the Sliding Autorotation competition. Ray Lepper, owner of Random Heli, designed the event and developed hardware to make it fun and exciting for anyone who wants to participate.

In this simple but challenging competition, models are equipped with temporary "sliding" plates that are attached to the landing skids.

Model helicopter on grass field, number 04. — This is one of the many Tronhelicopters models ready for flight.

Large wooden gate with a banner over a dirt path in a park, labeled "05." — Heli Ex is not your average aviation experience!

Outdoor market with white tents, colorful flags, and booths on a grassy field. — The flightline filled up with pilots, vendors, and everything between.

Pilots must perform an autorotation landing on the smooth grass runway at whatever forward speed is comfortable for them. Points are awarded for the distance that the helicopter slides. After multiple sliding landings, the highest total score wins. There are also other awards, such as Longest Single Slide and Best Crash.

The Sliding Autorotation event is nearly as popular as the robust Saturday lunch. This on-site, fresh lunch is likely the best event-provided lunch I have had at a large gathering. The volunteers were great and provided a tasty and way-too-large meal for the attendees.

Night flying (under lights or with lighted models) was popular. Coming back to the field after dinner, I witnessed many pilots and spectators at the side of the pond. It was not surprising to see professional pilots such as Nick Maxwell and Kyle Stacy playing over the water with their models. It was spectacular, exciting, and fun for me to watch.

Several officers of the new helicopter Special Interest Group were there to help people get a feel for competitive flying. American Radio Control Competition Helicopter Society (ARCCHS) officers Tom Dooley and Cliff Hiatt helped people with setup and maneuvers. In addition to helping several pilots work on specific needs, ARCCHS also hosted a fun event known as Task Oriented. This event took place at several fun-flys and contests in 2024. It is a safe and fun competition that helps pilots understand some of the other dimensions of model helicopter flying. Tom, the ARCCHS president, spent a great deal of time crafting (and improving) the concept, and it has been well received.

Drone flying over a grassy field, with three people watching. — Scale pilot Jon Ellis flew his impressive Cobra.

Toy car on grass, colorful RC helicopter hovering, trees in background, number 08 in corner. — Heli Ex participants had a little impromptu fun: heli vs. truck.

Four people watching a drone in a field, trees and tower in background, number 09 in view. — HeliDirect supported its team and the continuous flying.

Heli Ex was on my list, and I am pleased that I was there. Regardless of the style of flying or types of models you prefer, this event is welcoming. Whether it is precision aerobatics, sport flying, hard "smack" 3D, or Scale models, Heli Ex embraces it all.