Rotor Fest 2011 - Sept 24-25

I know the main headliner for airshows this weekend is NAS Oceana, but for those who are not making the trek down to Norfolk, VA and still want to get out and see something, this weekend is Rotor Fest 2011 (an all helicopter airshow).

The event will be held at Brandywine Airport in West Chester, PA. From what I've heard, its a pretty cool show, and definitely different since there are no planes. Looks to be a decent line-up of attendies as well. This will be my first year attending and I am looking forward to it. Link to the details below.

http://rotorfest.schultzairshows.com/

Anyone else planing on making it out to PA? (Also, I think while in Philly, I'm going to take one day and get in some PHL spotting in hopes of getting all my USAirways specials that operate here on the east coast.)

Sunday for me at Rotorfest after NAS Oceana on Fri/Sat :-) See you there Steve...

Blue Skies!!

Guess I know which day I'm going spotting now! See you there Manny! Blue skies indeed!!

This weekend I will be trudging it at work. :frown:

I wanna go so bad but I will be working. I am dying to see the MH-53 display.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Phil D.

I wanna go so bad but I will be working. I am dying to see the MH-53 display.

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same here... damn jobs!!

I see a Chinook (not to be mistaken for the more commonly seen Sea Knight in our area), as well as an S-92 (helibus) are scheduled as static aircraft! I passed on this show the last couple of years because I didn't feel like making the drive, but I might have go this year.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tom_Turner

I see a Chinook (not to be mistaken for the more commonly seen Sea Knight in our area), as well as an S-92 (helibus) are scheduled as static aircraft! I passed on this show the last couple of years because I didn't feel like making the drive, but I might have go this year.

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Yeah thats my problem also. Dont mind the drive down early but coming back....oy!! :eek:
Getting lazy in my old age. Been to that museum though about 6 years ago. My sons ice hockey team was playing in a Labor Day tourney close-by so I took a run over there between games. Pretty nice.

That museum does have a few very nice examples, Gerard, I totally agree.
(Ideally I would like to see more though, of course).

And, once again, I find myself wondering why Rotorfest and the guy in PA (or is it NJ) that has the airworthy S-55 don't hook up and get it over there one of these years for a flyby and then static display. Mid Atlantic's CG S-58 would be another enthusiasts dream if it is still airworthy. And, they're both reasonably close to the show (close enough).

Tom

But I did get an Alouette at Rotorfest a few years ago, so I really shouldn't be complaining.. :smile:

Tom, a II or a III? not that it matters but I have never seen either fly. Would prefer the II vs the III but now I am being greedy.

The CH-53E Display last year was impressive... never been that close to a helo demo before, never mind one this big. When she took off, I learned why they called it The Hurricane Maker ... it knocked me down to the ground as I was a bit too close.

http://www.thrustimages.com/albums/r...C1684-Edit.jpg
http://www.thrustimages.com/zp-core/...G0385.jpg&q=75

and the Chinook is also a great display as it rolls down the runway at high speed.

http://www.thrustimages.com/albums/r...0/_MAG9390.jpg

Hi Manny...I forgot how to link images here from A.net, but anyway, it was the Alouette ll. Its funny, but I would have preferred getting the Alouette III myself - :) :) I don't think there are any airworthy examples in the US actually.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Tom_Turner

Hi Manny...I forgot how to link images here from A.net, but anyway, it was the Alouette ll. Its funny, but I would have preferred getting the Alouette III myself - :) :) I don't think there are any airworthy examples in the US actually.

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Really? none? that is sad... Although there should be a few in Europe and Asia still doing duty... :cool:

Quote:

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Originally Posted by gonzalu

The CH-53E Display last year was impressive... never been that close to a helo demo before, never mind one this big. When she took off, I learned why they called it The Hurricane Maker ... it knocked me down to the ground as I was a bit too close.

http://www.thrustimages.com/albums/r...C1684-Edit.jpg

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This is the display I have been looking forward to the most as this trip gets closer! I can't wait to see this beast up close and in action.

I would have loved to go, unfortunately life sometime gets in the way. Maybe next year, seeing the CH-53 and the S92 would be sweet!

since PHL is right over the bridge for me, maybe I'll come out for a bit- sounds like Saturday is the preferred day

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Originally Posted by megatop412

since PHL is right over the bridge for me, maybe I'll come out for a bit- sounds like Saturday is the preferred day

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Check you're inbox.

Ugh.....I really hope the weekend forecast changes. Looking like absolute crap in Philly for the weekend. Oh well, guess i'll just make the best of it. Was really hoping for nice weather for both spotting at PHL and for going to Rotor Fest.

I should check this out.

VERY EXCITED! From teh looks of the Rotor Fest 2011 website, not only will there be a Sikorsky S-92A Hellibus, but there is going to be an aerial display of the Legacy of Heros S-92.

Ha. Fast forward to 6:30...

Nice video phil

I watch that video constantly. What a beast.

So, despite the weather forecast I stuck with my plans to head to Rotor Fest. My plan was to go spotting at PHL on Saturday and then Go to Rotor Fest on Sunday, but after waking up on Saturday and seeing that there was no rain anywhere around and a forecast for rain all day on Sunday, I decided to head to West Chester, PA on Saturday. I have to say that I was rather dissapointed that the CH-53 and the Chinooks didn't make it, but I understood why. As for the CH-53, there was no place to park it since the field they would normally use was not solid enough, and the CH-46 and CH-47 were stuck in VA due to the weather. I was still happy though becuase I finally got to get up close and personal with the "Legacy of Heroes" Sikorsky S-92. This is an absolutely gorgeous bird.

So all in all the weather for the day wasn't the best, but at least it didn't rain. And since it was cloudy, the fact that the field is back lit during the afternoon make for some ok shots that normally would have been very dark on a sunny day. Anyway...Enjoy!

Legacy of Heroes S-92
http://i56.tinypic.com/10h1r0z.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/2qwdf9i.jpg

http://i51.tinypic.com/fa6aog.jpg

http://i54.tinypic.com/iwsz01.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/1zxl47t.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/vscj8m.jpg
National Anthem - All American Parachute Team
http://i53.tinypic.com/aebrwh.jpg

http://i56.tinypic.com/vmuhxj.jpg

http://i51.tinypic.com/2egcfmu.jpg
PennStar
http://i53.tinypic.com/244y05y.jpg
MH-60R
http://i54.tinypic.com/mvktg1.jpg

http://i52.tinypic.com/jv3xpg.jpg
Helicopter Rides
http://i52.tinypic.com/15gtvev.jpg

Manny, back at Lime Rock at the ALMS races you told me to grow a pair and do some 1/30sec and below panning shots, so these two are for you. Shot at 1/20sec hand held - no monopod.
http://i55.tinypic.com/2eceqe1.jpg
I wish the light was better on this one and he had been up above the runway.
http://i51.tinypic.com/2jbutdf.jpg

Unfortunately I did miss out on the Mass-exodus of the military helicopters that were there.

Very nice, Steve! Love the panning shots - good work on those!