As states across the country begin to reopen, folks are looking for signs of recovery and normalcy. Here in California, the state officially re-opened on June 15, 2021, just in time for the Hiller Aviation Museum to host its first large scale public event in over a year.
2021 marked the eighth annual Biggest Little Air Show put on by the museum at San Carlos Airport (KSQL) and the event quickly sold out. Attendees and staff alike enjoyed the perfect weather and the flight performances without having to worry about masks and social distancing while outside.
Sponsored by Peaxy, a San Jose software firm, the event was condensed to take full advantage of the 90-minute airport closure. Unlike the virtual event of 2020, rituals such as singing of the national anthem and delivery of the US flag were welcomed back. Food vendors did brisk business while the sponsor booth gave away water and freebies.
Local RC clubs were out in full force to exhibit a wide range of flying models during the day. During the flight demos, RC pilots performed with a variety of flying models, from simple foam models to sophisticated ones powered by ducted fan engines and kerosene gas turbines.
Rotary wing demos were done by a solo racing drone and a trio of scale helicopters. There were some creative flying constructions that took to the air, such as an eagle, a flying man, and a representation of the starship USS Enterprise.
Gusty winds made takeoffs and landings challenging for some, but the show remained crash-free.
Once the subscale flying was completed, the runway was cleared and re-opened for a full-scale aerobatic performance as the show’s finale. Yuichi Takagi took to the sky in his immaculate red Pitts Special to thrill the crowd with his maneuvers.
Yuichi, one of only two Asian airshow pilots on the circuit, is also an aerobatics instructor at Sean Tucker’s Tutima Academy of Aviation Safety, which is based at Mesa Del Rey airport (KKIC), in King City, California. An airshow performer since 2015, Yuichi flies under the mentorship of his longtime idol Sean Tucker.
The show concluded with a lot of happy aviation fans and a lot of positive energy that will be built upon as airshow season in the Golden State fully returns in August.
RC pilot Adam Woodworth brings his OV-10 Bronco model out to the flight line. 
This OV-10 Bronco model features four flaps for good STOL performance. 
This participant carries icons of the endgame of World War II in Europe, the B-17 Flying Fortress and the Me-262 jet fighter intended to sweep the skies clear. 
Dave Stubbs warms up his gas-powered Su-26 model which sports a 10-foot wingspan. 
The 2021 Biggest Little Air Show featured one full size aircraft participant, Yuichi Takagi and his Pitts Special S-2S. 
I’m fairly sure no B-17 Flying Fortress ever flew inverted on purpose. 
Another electric ducted fan model, a Dassault Rafale C with functioning canards and flaps. 
This gas-powered SU-26 was equipped with a smoke system, setting it apart from the other performers. 
This pretty Cessna 170 model is about to touch down gracefully after a flight demonstration, unlike the Piper Cub in the background. 
RC combat demonstration where pilots try to cut the streamers of opposing aircraft. 
A high performance aerobatic model does a fly-by during the show. Note the wingtip fences which increase yaw stability. 
A prime example of RC model flight capability that cannot be achieved in full scale, sustained inverted hover is always impressive. 
This Me-262 model utilizes twin electric ducted fans for propulsion. 
This Me-262 model utilizes twin electric ducted fans for propulsion and wears the same livery as the real Me-262 in the Smithsonian. 
The thrust to weight ratio of this RV-8 is on full display as the model enters a sustained hover. 
This kerosene fueled turbine powered model is on final approach. 
This model wears the prewar markings of the early model P-40B Warhawks. 
This fully-laden electric ducted fan F/A-18F Super Hornet was the last RC model to fly in the show.
Impressive. Sorry I missed it. Maybe next year.