Helis Over California

a heli rotor rally

hosted by The Clovis Area (clovisrc) Modelers

June 6-8, 2025 (Tentative)

AMA CALENDAR & SANCTION LINK

Count Down to Helis Over California

SPONSORS

(28+ Sponsors are Helping to promote the rc heli community)

(be sure to come out – fly – and have some fun)

(Click on Sponsor Button to Goto their website)

The Event

This event brings into Central California a revival of the legacy Vertical Challenge held back in the early 2000’s. The field for this event is located at the Old Ketcher Ranch (Peg Field) Airstrip 30 east of Fresno off Hiway 180 (Kings Canyon Hiway), this field is in a agricultural area.

At this event, one of our EVENT DIRECTORS – JORDAN MCFARLIN will be leading the way into the sky with his phenomenal heli exhibition; and, backed up by CD and Club President Jan Sundberg.

To be followed by the chaotic antics of Myles Mata and others that will no doubt capture your gut-wringing attention with 3D “chaotic” flying – as in the recording from Myles 2017 performance at bottom of page.

Our desire is that as a pilot you bring your favorite Heli’s to the event and just enjoy the flying and friendship unique to the heli world of model aviation. The flying will commence with a Pilots Meeting to be held daily at 8:30 am followed by flying at 9:00 am. Night-flying is permitted and invited.

Our desire for spectators is that you enjoy the event; the flying, and the technical challenges. We also hope and invite you to become interested in model aviation and if so, to please contact us accordingly for no charge Radio Control training. Learn To Fly


For some FAQ’s on the Events – Click Here

Event Costs

The Pilot Options and Fees are as Follows

* To help us plan for the event, we encourage attendees to pre-register Online and, pay later at the event as an option:

Registration ($35) Online or at the Event Option:
– Pilot Registration ($35) [Saturday Lunch Included with Advanced Registration]


PACKAGE OPTION ($90) – The Package Includes:

– Registration
Breakfast Lunch & Dinner (Fri/Sat)
– Pilots Dinner

Also Available Reservation Options and Amenities Are:
– Shaded and Unshaded Front Row with Cement Tarmac – First Come First Serve (no charge) – Bring your own Popup
– RV/Trailer Parking – $20

– Tent Camping – No Charge – Donations Appreciated
– Vendor Space – No Charge – Thank You for Coming

REGISTRATION & Payment Links

To help you settle into the event; all options and registration listed above can be obtained through our online pre-registration system. Where, you can reserve now, pay now, and then simply show up at the event and fly and converse with other heli-pilots.

The Field

The field offers a 26′ by 120′ concrete pit area with light equipped shade structure.

There are 6 large bays under the covered shade and each of the bay supports are equipped for either solar or generator powered electricity offered by the club for your convenience.

All flying will be done on the runway and away from the pits in accordance with AMA guidelines.

At night we have a large spotlight for anyone wishing to do some close quarter heli night-flying.

ALSO, there is a 16’x120′ cement tarmac from the end of the covered structured going west. This area also has gravel covered earth and a rolled out carpet which can accommodate tables and popup’s. May be a shade structure for this extension… working on it.

The Field and Pit Area

RV’s & Trailers

Travel Trailers and RV’s
– $20 per spot – covers the entire week up to and week following the event
– Pets are okay but request they should be leashed or penned to keep them out of harms way
– Also, due to potential limited trailer spacing, spots are reserved initially for Pilots, Crew, and Vendors
– After a cutoff 2 weeks prior to the event, remaining spots will be open to other attendee at a modest fee.
– There are no hookups – dry camping only.
– Water is available on the way in (Advanced Notice Required and a Filter is a Must)

Lodging



For hotels and lodging, the Kings Canyon Event Team(s) recommend lodging in Fresno or Clovis about 25 min away at the Wyndham-Garden Hotel located adjacent to the Fresno-Yosemite Airport. Other recommended locations are at lodging locations in Clovis (Clovis and Shaw Ave) adjacent to restaurants etc. Reedley and Sanger do offer some lodging closer to the field.

Click Here for Link to Hotel

Please refer to Web Hotel Booking sites for more information. If this is unsuccessful, please try the following link to the same hotel via Hotels.com or use Trivago for other available hotels.

Click Here for Link to Reservation via Hotels.Com

The Location & Directions

The location for this event will be at Peg Field, 1751 S. Alta Ave, Reedley, CA – 20 miles east of Fresno off Hiway 180 – Refer to the Map below. The venue offers room for onsite camping (Trailer and RV) but there are no hookups – dry camping only. Pets are okay but should be leashed.

Vendor Information

Clovis Area Modelers welcomes model aviation related vendors that desire to attend during the event. At this time, the cost for a vendor area is $20. Please note that we cannot guarantee enough locations for all vendors; however, we will do our best up to the last minute to accommodate you. Please use the Competitor/Registration link above.

CD and CONTACT INFORMATION

Event Directors

Jordan McFarlin (AMA-CD)
559-288-2462
jordanmcf556@me.com

Jan Sundberg (AMA-CD & Club President)
559-479-0047
jancsundberg@gmail.com