The Event
Four days of flying — September 3-6, 2026
Night flying under the lights or in the dark
7th Annual Sliding Auto Contest
1000′ flight line with golf course quality turf
Five 200′ wide Pilot Stations
Electric power on the flight line
Acres of primitive camping spots
Air-conditioned Pilot Lounge
Huge bathhouse with hot showers
Evening meals available for purchase
Accommodations
Triple Tree Aerodrome
Triple Tree Aerodrome is located at 330 Mary Hannah Rd, Woodruff, SC 29388
Camping
Triple Tree Aerodrome is an ideal camping venue. Not only are there more than 50 premium camp sites with water and power for RVs but there are acres of primitive camping spots. And whether you choose to tent camp or camp in an RV, you’ll definitely enjoy the huge bathhouse right behind the flight line.
Many attendees who don’t own an RV rent one just for the Extravaganza. You can find campers of every size on web sites like RVShare, RVEZY, and OUTDOORSY. Many of them offer delivery and setup. And when you compare the cost of renting an RV for the event versus staying in a hotel you’ll find it a very attractive option. Forget about driving back and forth to a hotel. Enjoy all the action from sun up until late into the night by staying on site.
Hotels
If camping on site is not your thing, there are dozens of hotels less than 30 minutes from Triple Tree. Here are just a few. If you want to do your own search, Triple Tree Aerodrome is located at 330 Mary Hanna Rd, Woodruff, SC 29388.
FAQs
Why isn't Saturday Lunch included in the Pilot Registration this year?
We decided to make Saturday Lunch a separate Registration item for several reasons. First, not everyone even eats lunch so this way they’re not paying for something they don’t want. Second, we spend a lot on the meal so planning for it is really important. By knowing who actually wants lunch and what they want, we can avoid wasting food (and money). Finally, by letting people choose and buy the lunch they want we think everybody is better served. (When you sign up for Saturday Lunch you get to choose a fresh handmade burger or a grilled chicken breast sandwich).
Why is Heli Ex now a pre-registration only event?
In order to put on an event like Heli Ex it takes a ton of work by a whole team of volunteers. Handling on-site registration and meal planning add huge stress for those volunteers. But by requiring everybody to pre-register, we know who’s coming, how many meals to plan for, and where people are camping. This lets us have everything ready for attendees before they even arrive. It makes the check-in process simple and fast and it lets the Heli Ex team spend more time enjoying the event. And with a super generous refund policy, there’s really no risk in pre-registering.
Registration opens July 1, 2026 and closes midnight, Monday, August 31. A 100% refund is available to anyone who pre-registered and sends an email refund request by midnight Wednesday, September 2, 2026 (the night before the event starts).
When can I arrive at Triple Tree for the event?
Attendees may arrive AFTER 12:00 noon on Wednesday, September 2, 2026 to set up their flight gear and camp site. No flying until Thursday morning.
When is onsite Check-in open?
Check-in is open from 4:00 to 6:00 pm Wednesday the 2nd for early arrivals and camping setup. On Thursday and Friday Check-in is open from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. Saturday Check-in is open from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm.
Can I reserve a specific camp site?
Yes! When you click on Premium Camping Nights in the Registration section of this site you’ll be taken to a page where you can see a map of the Premium Camping sites and a drop down list that lets you choose the site you want. It’s first come, first served so register early for the most choices.
I plan to arrive late at night. Where can I park my RV?
Campsites must be reserved and are first come, first served. You must register for and reserve a numbered Premium Campsite on this website. Prior to the event start all the reserved Premium Campsites will be marked with the name of the person who made the reservation. In the morning, come to Registration and let us know you’ve arrived. Then sign the AMA form and pick up your event packet with wristbands, meal tickets, etc.
I'm renting an RV and having it dropped off before I arrive. How do I know where to have it parked?
Campsites must be reserved and are first come, first served. You must register for and reserve a numbered Premium Campsite on this website. Prior to the event start all the reserved Premium Campsites will be marked with the name of the person who made the reservation.
Give the campsite number that you reserved to the person delivering your RV. Tell them that if they have any issue to come to Registration at the Pilot Lounge and we’ll help them find your campsite.
Why is there a charge for dry camping?
The amenities at Triple Tree are unlike any other fun fly. It costs a lot to keep them that way. Awesome grounds, airconditioned pilot lounge, huge bathhouse. The camping fees help to pay for it all. BTW, you can save 20% on dry camping fees by pre-registering early.
How many people can share a campsite for just one camping fee?
As many as you want. One tent = one campsite; one RV= one campsite.
Can I set up my campsite anywhere on the Triple Tree grounds?
Pretty much, though there are a few restrictions. No camping west of the Gazebo near the pump station by the pond. No RVs behind the pop-up tents on the flight line. (You can sleep in your cargo trailer behind the pop-ups if that’s your plan.)
Can vendors who attend the Extravaganza sell products and are there vendor fees?
Absolutely. Once again this year there are no ‘vendor fees.’ Vendors must pay pilot fees for their people that are flying; spectator fees for their people who aren’t flying.
Will there be a sliding autorotation contest again this year?
Absolutely. It’s a ton of work for Ray at Random RC but it is very entertaining. You can sign up for the event on this website any time before Saturday September 5, 2026. And if you sign up before August 5, 2026 you can get a cool free t-shirt! Sign up here.
Will there be electric power on the flight line for charging?
Absolutely. We’ll have multiple power boxes down the flight line. In some cases you’ll need to share with a neighbor but it worked well last year. Also, along the bathhouse and pilot lounge there are more outlets. Several guys took advantage of the power and the shade under the overhang there.
Can we pit in the Gazebo as we have in past years?
Only during the night flying. Starting six years ago we stopped allowing pitting at the gazebo so we could better use it for food service and gatherings. Bring your popup or set up a table along the bathhouse where there’s power and shade.
Where can I fly at Triple Tree if I don't want to fly on the main flight line?
Pretty much anywhere as long as the spot you choose doesn’t interfere with established flight lines and flight boxes. That’s one of the great things about Triple Tree—if you don’t want to fly the main line there’s a ton of space you can make your own. Just be safe.
Can I bring my RC airplane to fly at The Heli Extravaganza?
Heli Extravaganza is a heli event. So the main flight line is definitely helis only. Having said that, quite a few guys bring foamy float planes to fly off the pond in the morning and evening when the wind is quiet. But no one will mind if you’re flying a little foamy well away from the main action. Be considerate and you’ll be fine. And at night, well, you might see some night-fly wings screaming around. It has happened.
Can I fly my full-scale airplane to the event and land at Triple Tree?
Sorry, no. The Triple Tree runway will be closed to full-scale traffic during the event.
Is there anything for kids to do at Triple Tree?
Yes! There are tons of places to hike and explore. There’s a pond that’s perfect for RC boats. And there’s a river (be careful!) that people can fish in. There’s also acres of space to run RC cars and trucks.Â
How good is cell/Internet access at Triple Tree?
It can be sketchy. AT&T is pretty good all over the event site. Other carriers, less so. Very few complaints last year so it seems to be getting better. Worst case, some people drove up the hill for better service.
Is ice available on site?
Sorry, no. Best bet is to organize a run to town (20 minutes away) and do a group buy.
Are golf cart rentals available?
Sorry, no. But everything is pretty close together and we’ll have a 6 passenger golf cart to get pilots back and forth from the Sliding Auto contest field.
What's the refund policy if I pre-register then can't attend?
Simple. If for any reason you do not plan to attend Heli Extravaganza and want to receive a refund for payment(s) you have made on our website, email registration@heliex.org by midnight, Wednesday, September 2nd (the night before the event starts> and request a refund. We’ll refund to your original payment method the amount(s) you paid and cancel all of your registrations for the event.
When do I need to leave Triple Tree when the event is over?
The event officially ends Sunday, September 6, 2026. All attendees need to be off the Triple Tree property by 6PM Monday, September 7 (Labor day).