Astonishing aerobatics by model helicopters with rotors up to 1.5 metres wide are disturbing the peace in a field south of Coota.
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Australia's biggest meet of model helicopter enthusiasts is getting into full swing, hosted by Cootamundra Aeromodellers Association (CAA).
The mini-choppers do things you would rarely, if ever, see full-scale helicopters do, shooting up and down at ridiculous speeds, doing flips and rolls and hovering upside down with ease.
Enthusiasts say full-size helicopters can theoretically do the same, but if they do, the main rotor has to be taken off for maintenance - and more importantly, human lives are at stake.
The event has been held at Wagga's model airfield for the past 17 years, but organisers have decided to try moving it to NSW State Field at Cootamundra to see if it works better here.
"The Coota site is 60 per cent larger than Wagga, as well as being flatter and not having trees at the end of the flight line, so it'll be interesting to see what the response is by participants," said event organiser, Brendan Tucker.
Entrance to the four-day "Heli Heatwave" is free, and the CAA has invited anyone who'd like to, to turn up at the model aircraft field, 10 km from Cootamundra on the Gundagai road, and join in the fun - the entrance has three flags on poles, with the action a few hundred metres off the road.
A canteen will operate throughout the four days.
The Heatwave has attracted 56 participants, with pilots from Thailand as well as Perth, Adealaide, Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Mackay, and all points in between.
Participants started arriving Wednesday and the aerobatic displays got underway yesterday, with the helicopters scheduled to do their last day of flying there on Sunday.
The event will feature four pilots from Thailand, including Kan Poonnoi who is a world class 3D pilot.
CAA President Grahame James said that while the event is not a competition, there will be plenty of friendly rivalry.
"They're all mad, of course," he said.
Brothers Paul and Ryan McCarthy both fly Mikado Logo 700 model helicopters, costing around $5,000 each though Paul is quick to point out that beginners can buy a good entry level model for around $1,000.
Ryan flew from Perth on Wednesday, Paul picked him up from Melbourne airport, and the pair arrived at Cootamundra just before midnight.
"We do it every year," Paul said, "and we really like the camaraderie with guys who have a common interest.
"It's a very positive place to hang out with like-minded people and enjoy a bit of banter."