uncertified helicopters
 

hi there everyone!

i currently hold a pplh licnece in uk, and was wondering about buying in a kit helicopter not a rotorway one. does anyone know the rules on the rules ive been on lasors and having problems finding info on it. even building your own helicopter its just to keep flying without getting into share schemes etc ya know many thanks aaron

See CAP 733 on CAA website for UK

http://www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP733.PDF

So as far as I can see if this type doesn't have a permit to fly you are screwed, you can't even come to a 6 inch hover legally, even inside your own warehouse, I could be wrong though usually am

Freddie is right,

If you cannot get a PtF, you can't fly it in the UK. In theory, anyone can apply for the permit (for a new type) but you would need mega effort to jump through many CAA hoops and no guarantee at the end.

In general, kit built helicopters are best on the ground being "engineered" IMO.

LASORs only deals with flight crew licensing aspects. You need to look at the airworthiness side of things.

What's wrong with Rotorway? I watched some bloke build one on TV a while ago and it looked really well engineered and there appears to be good UK support.

Would start here IF
Helicopter Videos - Vertical Aviation Technologies

O&H

Rotorway helicopter index Home Page

"What's wrong with Rotorway? I watched some bloke build one on TV a while ago and it looked really well engineered and there appears to be good UK support"
:D:D:D

It'll be a cold day in hell before the powers that be in blighty (I know not about Ireland though) allow any other kit than Rotorway..

Rotorway's latest ship, the A600 Talon should be authorised to fly soon...some know-all-know-nothings don't like the belt drive tail rotor on the Execs and 162fs, the A600 has a shaft driven t/r...see Rotorway UK - Home Page

Rotorway feature:

Quite a few turbine Helicycles flying with good reports. They are assembled under the home-built category , not all that expensive (for a helicopter) , the biggest drawback for the average person is often the training costs. If you have your rating you are well on your way.

I believe there are some flying in the UK.

Google "Helicycle Hatchery" for a detailed build from first component delivery to first flight . Lots of pictures and details.

"I believe there are some flying in the UK"

Nope

Aww, from the title of that video, I thought I was going to see someone doing a loop in a rotorway. I was about to be impressed (assuming they survived)!

There was a good series on the Discovery channel a while back 'A Chopper is Born', it featured Mark Evans putting everything together from start to finish. Was very well done and the machine turned out fantastic.... for a Rotorway;)

It turns out the one I was thinking about is in S. Africa., not UK. thanks.

Hi Arnie

It's not that I have anything against the Helicyle or the Safari or the Hummingbird 260L etc. etc. it's just that to get any other type of kit heli through the approval system over here would require someone with VERY deep pockets plus the patience and dedication of at least 10 saints !!

So for us Brits wanting kits it's Rotorway or nowt !

The Rotorway does look like a nicely engineered bit of kit. However it does not seem to suffer fools gladly.

goldeneaglepilot:

Then it has a lot in common with every flying machine.

Totally agree. I must admit I'm tempted by the Rotorway

Mosquito XE ..... 20 foot hovering autos, 180* full down autos with no slide, good safety record after several years. Build it in your garage.

More certified-fun ..... in un-certified helicopters. :)If only you could get the UK regulators to watch these videos :)

Homers Bell's fly-in (Ohio) around 2010. The combined fleet of Helicycles has over 6000 hrs with good results.

Arnie, that thing constantly sounds like it is going to blow up!

The helicycle...

I'm sure it could pass CAA permit requirements for the airframe (costly to prove and test though)

But the Turbine wouldn't pass...no containment ring.

Damn shame.

What happened to the Safari kit that was being built in the UK, did it ever get CAA approval?