Helicopter Classification
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Helicopter Classification
Dear Forum... i'm not a pilot but I have to find this information for a work. so I found on the www.nifc.gov site a glossary (http://www.nifc.gov/ihog/pdf/2006glossary.pdf) which devides helicopters into light, medium and heavy - according to the FAA and additionally with the water-carrying capacity in the ICS helicopter typing system. But I need now the information in which FAA document(s) these classifications of the gross weights - have searched the FAA site but have not found anything yet. Maybe searched not good enough.
Would be glad if u can help me out
greetings from austria
Would be glad if u can help me out
greetings from austria
These classifications have nothing to do with the FAA, and are simply the method the US Forest Service and other Government agencies demarcate the performance of various categories of helicopter. These are minimum performance requirements.
The categories are as follows;
Type 3 Standard and Restricted Category Helicopters.
Capability of hovering out-of-ground effect (HOGE) in the following conditions:
200 lbs for each required flight crewmember
1½ hours of fuel (includes reserve fuel). Use 7-lbs per gallon to compute weight of Jet A.
5000’ PA
30 °C
380 lbs (jettisonable payload)
Type 1 and Type 2 Standard and Restricted Category Helicopters
Capability of hovering out-of-ground effect (HOGE) in the following conditions:
200 lbs for each required flight crewmember
1½ hours of fuel (includes reserve fuel). Use 7-lbs per gallon to compute weight of Jet A.
5000’ PA
30 °C
Type 1 – 4500 lbs (jettisonable payload)
Type II – 1600 lbs (jettisonable payload)
The categories are as follows;
Type 3 Standard and Restricted Category Helicopters.
Capability of hovering out-of-ground effect (HOGE) in the following conditions:
200 lbs for each required flight crewmember
1½ hours of fuel (includes reserve fuel). Use 7-lbs per gallon to compute weight of Jet A.
5000’ PA
30 °C
380 lbs (jettisonable payload)
Type 1 and Type 2 Standard and Restricted Category Helicopters
Capability of hovering out-of-ground effect (HOGE) in the following conditions:
200 lbs for each required flight crewmember
1½ hours of fuel (includes reserve fuel). Use 7-lbs per gallon to compute weight of Jet A.
5000’ PA
30 °C
Type 1 – 4500 lbs (jettisonable payload)
Type II – 1600 lbs (jettisonable payload)
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Weight categories
Many ICAO regs (and therefore NAA regs) use 5,700 kg (12,500lb) and 3,175 kg (7,000 lb) as a reference for the division between small, medium and large helicopters. Things such as licensing and maintenance seem to use this threshold a lot.
Thanks to TC for giving me a prod. Having carried these numbers around for so many years I should have checked before making the post - must be the Altzheimers catching up with me.
G
Thanks to TC for giving me a prod. Having carried these numbers around for so many years I should have checked before making the post - must be the Altzheimers catching up with me.
G
Last edited by Geoffersincornwall; 28th Apr 2006 at 07:14.
In response to the original question, the FAA categorize helicopter by two distinct groups, with variations within the groups.
FAR § 27.1 Applicability.
(a) This part prescribes airworthiness standards for the issue of type certificates, and changes to those certificates, for normal category rotorcraft with maximum weights of 7,000 pounds or less and nine or less passenger seats.
(b) Each person who applies under Part 21 for such a certificate or change must show compliance with the applicable requirements of this part.
(c) Multiengine rotorcraft may be type certified as Category A provided the requirements referenced in appendix C of this part are met.
FAR § 29.1 Applicability.
(a) This part prescribes airworthiness standards for the issue of type certificates, and changes to those certificates, for transport category rotorcraft.
(b) Transport category rotorcraft must be certificated in accordance with either the Category A or Category B requirements of this part. A multiengine rotorcraft may be type certificated as both Category A and Category B with appropriate and different operating limitations for each category.
(c) Rotorcraft with a maximum weight greater than 20,000 pounds and 10 or more passenger seats must be type certificated as Category A rotorcraft.
(d) Rotorcraft with a maximum weight greater than 20,000 pounds and nine or less passenger seats may be type certificated as Category B rotorcraft provided the Category A requirements of Subparts C, D, E, and F of this part are met.
(e) Rotorcraft with a maximum weight of 20,000 pounds or less but with 10 or more passenger seats may be type certificated as Category B rotorcraft provided the Category A requirements of §§29.67(a)(2), 29.87, 29.1517, and subparts C, D, E, and F of this part are met.
(f) Rotorcraft with a maximum weight of 20,000 pounds or less and nine or less passenger seats may be type certificated as Category B rotorcraft.
Additionally, helicopters over 12,500 pounds require pilots to obtain a type rating.
FAR § 61.31 Type rating requirements, additional training, and authorization requirements.
(a) Type ratings required. A person who acts as a pilot in command of any of the following aircraft must hold a type rating for that aircraft:
(1) Large aircraft (except lighter-than-air).
Note: Large aircraft means aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds, maximum certificated takeoff weight.
Part 135 further categorizes operations into 10 or more passengers (or 9 or less).
The real separation lies solely within the Forest Service criteria for contracting, as the FAA have nothing to do with the control of the operation.
FAR § 27.1 Applicability.
(a) This part prescribes airworthiness standards for the issue of type certificates, and changes to those certificates, for normal category rotorcraft with maximum weights of 7,000 pounds or less and nine or less passenger seats.
(b) Each person who applies under Part 21 for such a certificate or change must show compliance with the applicable requirements of this part.
(c) Multiengine rotorcraft may be type certified as Category A provided the requirements referenced in appendix C of this part are met.
FAR § 29.1 Applicability.
(a) This part prescribes airworthiness standards for the issue of type certificates, and changes to those certificates, for transport category rotorcraft.
(b) Transport category rotorcraft must be certificated in accordance with either the Category A or Category B requirements of this part. A multiengine rotorcraft may be type certificated as both Category A and Category B with appropriate and different operating limitations for each category.
(c) Rotorcraft with a maximum weight greater than 20,000 pounds and 10 or more passenger seats must be type certificated as Category A rotorcraft.
(d) Rotorcraft with a maximum weight greater than 20,000 pounds and nine or less passenger seats may be type certificated as Category B rotorcraft provided the Category A requirements of Subparts C, D, E, and F of this part are met.
(e) Rotorcraft with a maximum weight of 20,000 pounds or less but with 10 or more passenger seats may be type certificated as Category B rotorcraft provided the Category A requirements of §§29.67(a)(2), 29.87, 29.1517, and subparts C, D, E, and F of this part are met.
(f) Rotorcraft with a maximum weight of 20,000 pounds or less and nine or less passenger seats may be type certificated as Category B rotorcraft.
Additionally, helicopters over 12,500 pounds require pilots to obtain a type rating.
FAR § 61.31 Type rating requirements, additional training, and authorization requirements.
(a) Type ratings required. A person who acts as a pilot in command of any of the following aircraft must hold a type rating for that aircraft:
(1) Large aircraft (except lighter-than-air).
Note: Large aircraft means aircraft of more than 12,500 pounds, maximum certificated takeoff weight.
Part 135 further categorizes operations into 10 or more passengers (or 9 or less).
The real separation lies solely within the Forest Service criteria for contracting, as the FAA have nothing to do with the control of the operation.
