Tag Archives: HeliFest & Vertical Challenge: The Annual Helicopter Air Show

HeliFest!

Posted on by
Reply

After eleven years, the Vertical Challenge Helicopter Air Show is getting a makeover. This June 18 & 19, 2011, marks the debut of HeliFest at the Hiller Aviation Museum. Instead of a single, one-day event, HeliFest gathers several festivals into a two-day, super fun weekend. HeliFest is not an airshow but in keeping with the original theme of Vertical Challenge, HeliFest showcases military and commercial helicopters on display and open to the public for two, full days. HeliFest also features fabulous food, wine and the Bay Area’s finest microbrews. And returning this year is the popular Kid’s Zone that includes slides, rides, face-painting and fun activities that kids love.

Why these changes? Increasingly strict federal regulations regarding air shows and restrictions by local airport management combined with the economic challenges faced by commercial and government helicopter operators, at both the local and state level, have made it necessary to modify Vertical Challenge. Also, with new event partners, food-providers, brewers and other participants, the opportunity exists for creating a unique event never seen before on the San Francisco Peninsula: The result is HeliFest!

Highlights of HeliFest:

  • Helicopter Festival – We welcome commercial operators and the United States military with their big helicopters, available and open for the public to explore.
  • Microbrew Festival – Enjoy some of the best Microbrews that the San Francisco Peninsula has to offer.
  • Wine Festival – For those who enjoy wine with their whirlybirds, this is for you!
  • Food Festival – We feature some of the best Bay Area food vendors for your dining pleasure.
  • Kids Festival – The little ones will have plenty to do getting face paintings and playing on giant slides and rides.

HeliFest is June 18 & 19, 10am – 4pm

Tickets are $15 adult, $10 youth (5-17) and seniors (65+), kids 4 and under are free.

No VIP passes or discount coupons accepted for HeliFest.

Vertical Challenge: 11th Annual Helicopter Air Show

Posted on by
Reply

How old were you when you got bit by the rotor wing bug? Was it when you started walking and could point to the sky at that strange thing suspended in the air? Or was it your retirement present to yourself to become a helicopter pilot? Or are you somewhere in the middle? Doesn’t matter, the fact is you like helicopters and that is exactly what Vertical Challenge is all about.

Pilots from across the United States will showcase their helicopters at the 11th Annual Hiller Aviation Museum’s Vertical Challenge on June 19, 2010. This event illustrates the many different abilities of the agile aircraft.

“They come in so many different shapes and sizes and have such a variety of different tasks that they perform. The helicopter is kind of the unsung hero. They’re the ones that fly in after the car crash and medivac to the hospital. They’re the ones that fly head first into the fire that everyone else is running away from and when someone is stranded at sea in a storm that even grounds the birds, it is the helicopter that braves they way for the rescue,” Said Willie Turner, Vice President of Operation for the Hiller Aviation Museum.

Helicopters are used for everything from traffic reports to cliff rescues to national defense. The Vertical Challenge will showcase the different functions of the helicopter with various demonstrations including fire fighting, Search and Rescue and many other types of helicopter functions. Returning to the show this year will be Otto the Clown Helicopter along with an appearance from the only Zeppelin in the United States, flown by Airship Ventures.

Vertical Challenge is the place to be if you like helicopters. If you or someone you know has a helicopter and would like to participate please contact the Hiller Aviation Museum (650) 654-0200 and visit the web site at www.hiller.org