Helicopter weight categories
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Simple question
I'm a fixed wing guy, and am trying to answer a question out of general curiosity.
What are the parameters that define a "light" helicopter, "medium" helicopter, etc.? Is is the size of the helicopter, or the weight it can carry, etc?
Any details here would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
What are the parameters that define a "light" helicopter, "medium" helicopter, etc.? Is is the size of the helicopter, or the weight it can carry, etc?
Any details here would be most appreciated.
Thanks!
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Light, Intermediate, Medium, and Heavy Helicopter are generally divided by max Gross Weight.
Lights up to 3500 lb AUW eg.....R-22, Bell 206
Intermediates 3500 to 7000 eg 206L's 407, AS350's
Mediums 7000 to 12500 lbs eg Bell 204 205 212 412 S-76
Heavies above 12500 eg Bell 214, S-61, S 64, B-107 B-234, KA-32
Lights up to 3500 lb AUW eg.....R-22, Bell 206
Intermediates 3500 to 7000 eg 206L's 407, AS350's
Mediums 7000 to 12500 lbs eg Bell 204 205 212 412 S-76
Heavies above 12500 eg Bell 214, S-61, S 64, B-107 B-234, KA-32
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and last but not least 
the Very Light;
European - JAR - VLR (Very Light Rotorcraft) 1320 lbs. max. GW
Britain - BCAR-S (Small Light Airplanes & Rotorcraft) 1,650 lbs. max. GW
United States - FAA ~ Sport Pilot / Light Sport Aircraft 1320 lbs. max. GW [maybe helicopters in the future]
the Very Light;
European - JAR - VLR (Very Light Rotorcraft) 1320 lbs. max. GW
Britain - BCAR-S (Small Light Airplanes & Rotorcraft) 1,650 lbs. max. GW
United States - FAA ~ Sport Pilot / Light Sport Aircraft 1320 lbs. max. GW [maybe helicopters in the future]
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Military version
There is always a "Military", apologies SIR but I dont quite see it that way!, Response.
LIGHT- GAZELLE, floppies(due to the unatural way the blades droop!!!!!!!!)
MEDIUM- LYNX, Pie eater's( Due to the size of the pilots, amount of puff pastry snacks they could consume, and the fact you had 2 engines to cart it all about)
HEAVY- In the Military that would be 2 Army (LYNX) pilots flying on exchange witn the RAF. IE PUMA/EH 101 extra lift!!!!!!!!!!!
L'
LIGHT- GAZELLE, floppies(due to the unatural way the blades droop!!!!!!!!)
MEDIUM- LYNX, Pie eater's( Due to the size of the pilots, amount of puff pastry snacks they could consume, and the fact you had 2 engines to cart it all about)
HEAVY- In the Military that would be 2 Army (LYNX) pilots flying on exchange witn the RAF. IE PUMA/EH 101 extra lift!!!!!!!!!!!
L'
Last edited by L'WAAPAM; 29th Mar 2005 at 17:09.
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Nick, those weights are definetely "Sikorski" 
"go big or go home" Hey ?
My "guess" at the weight divisions comes from various Forestry agencies, which typically put the Astars, 206L's and 407 into the "Intermediate" category, the Bell 204-05 / 212 in the "Meduim" category, but do place the 214 in the heavy group....
"go big or go home" Hey ?
My "guess" at the weight divisions comes from various Forestry agencies, which typically put the Astars, 206L's and 407 into the "Intermediate" category, the Bell 204-05 / 212 in the "Meduim" category, but do place the 214 in the heavy group....
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Seems cat often corresponds to the stage in your career and body weight:
SuperLight = I am starving, weigh less than I did in high school, becasue my employer doenst pay me as much as the greeter at wall mart.
Light= well I make enough now to eat fast food, still get run ragged enough it keeps the weight down, Days off whats that
Intermeadiaite/medium: Working the way up the food chain,. been around long enough and ate enough donuts and have some senority so i dont have to fly all the hard jobs and roll barrell of jet a accross the beach. Can't fit in the 500 or 206 anymore, at least the seats in the Astar arent jammed against the door, phew.
Heavy: Been around for ever. Get paid too much, spent too much time eating in logging camps, thinking about the retirement in mexico but the 3 ex wives and 5 kids keep me comming back to camp. I couldnt even get the seat belt in the 206 around my waist anymore.
I think it is someting like that
SuperLight = I am starving, weigh less than I did in high school, becasue my employer doenst pay me as much as the greeter at wall mart.
Light= well I make enough now to eat fast food, still get run ragged enough it keeps the weight down, Days off whats that
Intermeadiaite/medium: Working the way up the food chain,. been around long enough and ate enough donuts and have some senority so i dont have to fly all the hard jobs and roll barrell of jet a accross the beach. Can't fit in the 500 or 206 anymore, at least the seats in the Astar arent jammed against the door, phew.
Heavy: Been around for ever. Get paid too much, spent too much time eating in logging camps, thinking about the retirement in mexico but the 3 ex wives and 5 kids keep me comming back to camp. I couldnt even get the seat belt in the 206 around my waist anymore.
I think it is someting like that
