The Biggest Little Air Show

Chuck Coleman executes a hammerhead turn with his Extra 300.

The ninth annual Biggest Little Air Show, put on by the Hiller Aviation Museum at San Carlos Airport (KSQL) in California, boasted not only perfect weather, but a sold-out show.

Sponsored by Peaxy, a San Jose software firm, the June 2022 event for radio-controlled aircraft was organized to take full advantage of the 90 minutes the airport was closed to regular traffic.

A good turnout for the Hiller Biggest Little Air Show. The large Mephisto V2 aerobatic sport jet dominates the lineup.

Local clubs were out in full force to exhibit a wide range of flying models from simple foam models to sophisticated ones powered by ducted fan engines and kerosene gas turbines.

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.

To show that there are virtually no limits in R/C flight, the USS Enterprise achieves sub-warp speed flight.

The flying started with electric-powered prop aircraft, followed by electric ducted-fan jets. A demonstration of 3D aerobatics was next, using models with high thrust to weight ratios allowing the planes to hover and perform other maneuvers not seen with real aircraft.

A demonstration of 3D aerobatics, where the high power-to-weight ratio allows this model to hang on the prop and hover.

Rotary wing demonstrations were conducted with a racing drone and a model helicopter. Powered sailplanes put on a graceful slow-speed show before a subscale USAF Thunderbirds F-16 raised the energy back up with a high-speed demo, also with smoke.

Another example of “is this real or not?” as Thunderbird #1 makes a photo pass with smoke on.

Last was a combat demonstration where models tried to cut other aircraft’s streamers with their props.

R/C combat demonstration where pilots try to cut the streamers of opposing aircraft.

Once the subscale flying was completed, the runway was re-opened for a full-scale aerobatic performance as the show’s finale. Chuck Coleman had that honor for this event, performing in his Extra 300L.

“Smoke on” as Chuck Coleman begins his aerobatic demonstration with his Extra 300 to close out the Biggest Little Air Show.

Aside from his years of airshow performances, Chuck is also an accomplished test pilot and most recently was the aerobatic flight instructor for the actors in the blockbuster film “Top Gun: Maverick.”