Hirobo Helicopter Demo Pilot Andrew Merlino of Tewksbury, MA

The 495th R/C Squadron, Inc. is proud to to introduce our fellow member, and friend, Andrew Merlino, of Tewksbury, MA. Andrew learned to fly radio controlled airplanes and helicopters about four years ago, and quickly distinguished himself as a truly world class R/C helicopter pilot! Today, Andrew is a sponsored demo pilot for the Hirobo Corporation of Japan, and travels extensively to perform R/C helicopter exhibitions, and to compete in R/C helicopter competitions.

Andrew specializes in 'heart-stopping', 'jaw-dropping', 'did you see that?', 3D aerobatic helicopter flight! Each time he takes to the sky, accompanied by the furious beat of his favorite music, the crowd stops to watch his helicopter wildly gyrate through the air. Seemingly seconds from disaster at any moment, Andrew hardly breaks a sweat!

Since becoming a helicopter sensation, Andrew has competed at the 2009 IRCHA (International Radio Controlled Helicopter Association) Jamboree, and the 2010 Futaba Extreme Flight Championships in Muncie, IN. Andrew will be competing again at the 2010 IRCHA Jamboree in Aug. 2010.

Andrew will be flying at two Lowell Spinner's games this summer. If you'd like to see him fly locally, be sure to get tickets for July 3rd, or August 20th!!

When he's not at the field flying his models, Andrew is a 'typical' 16 year old freshman at Tewksbury Memorial High School.