I can't remember whether I posted a note about this here a few weeks ago - I know I did *somewhere* - but anyway, the "Vertical Challenge" airshow is happening in San Carlos, CA this weekend, on Saturday June 21. This is a very helicopter-centric airshow, both in terms of performers and the static displays.The location is at the SQL airport, between San Jose and San Francisco, just off Hwy 101.http://209.238.149.21/aviation-programs/ve...-challenge.htmlhttp://www.airnav.com/airport/KSQLIf things go right I'll be flying to the show from SNS in the "Showcopters" R44 on Friday, and leaving Saturday evening via same. I'll probably be helping out with the helo rides ($25 a pop) in terms of loading/unloading pax, so if you go to the show and see a tall blond guy (probably wearing a PHPA cap, and definitely wearing shorts) telling people where to go, please say "hi".Showcopters site: http://www.showcopters.com/I went to the 2001 show and it was a blast - anyone that likes/loves helicopters and lives within 200 miles (or more) should attend. The $15 admission includes access to the Hiller Aviation Museum, which is the only west coast helo-oriented museum that I'm aware of. (It's not 100% rotary - there is a lot of seized-wing stuff there too.) They also have a great gift shop.If you have any questions, email me directly, but prior to Friday morning. (Note that I am not affiliated with Showcopters, the museum, or the airshow - I'm just a rotor head like you!)Hope to see youse Left Coast folks there,Dave Blevins

Well, it's over - I had a great time, and met some very interesting rotorheads! I hope some Bay Area simmers got to enjoy the show.If you're a Bell 47 fan, check out these sites:http://www.newwhirlybirds.comhttp://www.bell47helicopterassociation.org/I got to hang out with those guys for a while (Danny and Joey). Great folks, and totally passionate about the '47.I also got some AH-1 Cobra back seat time - about 3 minutes, sitting on the ground 8^( . Oh well, better than nothing I suppose.(Hopefully) attached is a photo of the R44 that I flew from SNS to SQL and back. I want more '44 stick time!Dave Blevins

Hey Dave, very cool deal indeed! I wish I would have been able to attend, but just wasn't in the cards. Looks like you did have a gerat time!!I have had the Bell 47 site bookmarked for awhile, great site!I think we all wish we had more stick time!! ;-)Regards, Michaelhttp://mysite.verizon.net/res052cd/mybannercva1.jpgCalVirAir International VAwww.calvirair.comCougar Mountain Helicopters & Aviationwww.cgrmtnhelos.com

I am trying out the photo sharing service "smugmug.com". I have posted a few of the pictures I took at the airshow there:http://blave.smugmug.com/gallery/11133Please let me know if you have any issues accessing the smugmug site. I have seven days to evaluate the service before coughing up the $30 yearly subscription.thanks,dB.

Hey Dave, great shots, no problem getting to the site or getting around, actually kinda cool. How difficult was the account to set up?Like that 300 shot at the end!Regards, Michaelhttp://mysite.verizon.net/res052cd/mybannercva1.jpgCalVirAir International VAwww.calvirair.comCougar Mountain Helicopters & Aviationwww.cgrmtnhelos.com

It was very easy to set up - actually I've put quite a few more photos up on Smug since posting the VC2003 shots. The Smug upload utility is simplicity itself if you use MS Internet Explorer - it's a drag-and-drop interface. Based on the feedback I've gotten I think I'm going to sign up for the service.The additional photos - which mostly have nothing to do with helicopters (although I did post some of my Vertical Challenge 2001 shots earlier today) - can be found via http://blave.smugmug.com. You'll find some images of the Sky Arrow airplane, which is what initially prompted me to get my pilot rating.cheers,dB.