2025 Results
1st Cliff Hiatt: 1000 pts. -NATS (tie breaker: 1000 pts., next highest round Soxos Cup round flown)
2nd Nob Muraki: 1000 pts. – Triple Tree 2025 Fall Classic
3rd Jeff Zaner: 969.83 pts. – Triple Tree 2025 Fall Classic
4th Dan Lucente: 909.19 pts. – NATS
Note: No one qualified for the cash prizes in 2025 because the participating pilots did not compete in two contests as specified in the 2025 Soxos Cup rules.
2026 Soxos Cup Rules
AeroPanda is sponsoring the 2026 Soxos Cup with the American Radio Control Competition Helicopters Society (ARCCHS). The Soxos Cup is a 2026 yearlong event for pilots that compete with any Soxos helicopter in eligible AMA Aerobatics and F3C contests. Pilots that compete in the Soxos Cup will compete in an eligible contest as normal, but in addition to the normal competition rules and scoring, additional scoring will be calculated for all Soxos Cup pilots in all competition classes (Sportsman, Advanced, Expert and F3C) that will determine the top scores for that Soxos Cup eligible contest. The final Soxos Cup scores for each Soxos Cup pilot will be tracked for all Soxos Cup eligible contests and the total of each Soxos Cup pilots’ top two contests will be used to determine the yearlong Soxos Cup winners.
Yes, each Soxos Cup pilot will be competing against other Soxos Cup pilots in all competition classes of each eligible contest. The scoring will compare the pilot’s raw score of each ‘Soxos’ round to the maximum available raw points in their class to yield a percentage score. This percentage score will be compared to all other Soxos Cup pilots’ percentage score, regardless of class to be normalized for that round. Pilots entering the program are not required to fly every round in each event with their Soxos helicopter, nor are they required to fly in the same round for Soxos Cup scores. Each pilot’s highest Soxos Cup round score will be used to calculate the scores for the contest. The eligible contest final Soxos Cup scores will be used in the yearlong Soxos Cup calculation.
Sounds complicated? Not really, so continue to read the attached rules and scoring process and get your Soxos helicopter ready to compete!
Why should you compete? Beyond just pure fun, AeroPanda is offering a cash prize for the top 3 pilots flying any stock Soxos helicopter in eligible Soxos Cup contests in 2025.
- First Place will receive $500
- Second Place will receive $300
- Third Place will receive $200.
What contests are eligible? See the attached list of contests, some are already set and eligible and some are planned but not yet set finalized on dates, etc. Keep visiting the ARCCHS Facebook page for any updates on the contests. If you are interested in hosting a contest, let ARCCHS know.
Wait, there is more! If you do not have a Soxos helicopter and you wish to buy one to compete in the 2026 Soxos Cup, AeroPanda will offer a discount of 20% off the retail price of Soxos helicopter for those pilots that will participate in an eligible contest. Just contact AeroPanda at danny@aeropanda.com for this promotional price.
2026 Rules:
Eligible Soxos Cup Contests – Soxos Cup eligible contests in 2026 must be an AMA sanctioned event and approved by ARCCHS at least 30 days prior to the start of the contest. Eligible contests can include the AMA Aerobatic Classes (Sportsman, Advanced and Expert) and F3C, depending on the local organizers.
Eligible Helicopter – any Soxos brand helicopter:
- The kits must remain in stock configuration. The only modification allowances are to the main rotorhead dampening and to the motor pinion.
- Stock rotor blades (main and tail rotor) as supplied in the kit, or any currently available 1ST optional blades, are to be used.
- Any brand electronics (FBL, radio, servos, ESC) can be used that is permitted by the AMA and F3C rules.
Eligible Pilot – Pilot must inform the Contest Director prior to the start of the contest that they will be competing in the Soxos Cup. The Contest Director will submit their contest final Soxos Cup scores to ARCCHS for the yearlong tracking process.
Eligible Competition Classes – The Soxos Cup is limited to the AMA Aerobatic Classes (Sportsman, Advanced and Expert) and F3C.
Scoring:
At each eligible contest during 2026, the Soxos Cup will be held in conjunction with the normal AMA Aerobatic Classes and F3C Contest. Scores will be based on the pilot’s raw score as a percentage achieved against the maximum possible raw score for their class. Soxos Cup pilots will fly against other Soxos Cup pilots in the AMA Aerobatics Classes (Sportsman, Advanced and Expert) and F3C.
For example, the AMA Helicopter Sportsman Class maneuvers have a total of 80 points available per judge per round; with 3 judges this equals 240 points. If the pilot’s raw score is 180 points, that is 75.00% of the maximum possible raw score. If a F3C pilot flying in the Soxos Cup were to score 72.00% of his/her maximum possible raw score, the Sportsman pilot wins that particular round.
These percentage scores are calculated and normalized against all other Soxos Cup pilots to determine the final Soxos Cup standings for the eligible contest.
There are no additional fees or rounds flown and you can still compete in your normal AMA/F3C class with your normal equipment if you choose. A Soxos Cup ‘round’ can also count towards overall points calculations are per normal AMA/F3C scoring rules. Overall placements and/or trophies you earn for your class are still awarded as for any contest.
Entering the Soxos Cup competition is the eligible pilot’s choice and is not mandatory; however, if you decline to join, your points ARE NOT retroactively applied later in the year. Once you enter the Soxos Cup, ARCCHS will keep your scores for 2026.
At the end of the 2025 competition season, the Soxos Cup winners for the season will be awarded first through third place by AeroPanda based on their top two contests (normalized). Any ties will go to the pilots’ next highest contest score.
2026 Contests:
Jonesboro, AR, May 2 – 3, 2026 (ELIGIBLE)
US Nationals, Aug. 2 – 5, 2026; Muncie, IN (ELIGIBLE)
Tampa; October 24 – 25, 2026; Riverview, FL; (ELIGIBLE)
Note: more contests may be added…
ARCCHS.ORG 