Large Model Helicopter Program

In The Air Membership News & Updates From AMA

By Tony Stillman, AMA’s Safety/Technical Director | [email protected]

As seen in the January 2024 issue of Model Aviation.

A WORKGROUP was recently created on behalf of the AMA Safety Committee to establish rules and procedures to safely operate large model helicopters (LMH) and large model turbine helicopters (LMTH). The AMA Large Model Aircraft Program has been around for several years, but it didn’t encompass model rotorcraft, and the AMA Safety Committee had been receiving an increasing number of waiver requests to operate large model helicopters at AMA fields and sanctioned events.

Following is a quick background on why this is required. When flying a recreational UAS, FAA rules state the following: "A person may operate an unmanned aircraft weighing more than 55 pounds, including the weight of anything attached to or carried by the aircraft, under subsection (a) if—(A), the unmanned aircraft complies with standards and limitations developed by a community-based organization and approved by the Administrator; and (B), the aircraft is operated from a fixed site as described in FAA section 349, paragraph C, Sections 1 & 2."

Legally, this means that in order to operate a recreational model that exceeds a 55-pound takeoff weight, it must be certified through a safety program administered by a community-based organization (CBO) and operated from a designated, fixed site. It’s also important to note that in order to be covered under this rule, the CBO’s safety program must be reviewed and approved by the FAA.

The LMH and LMTH are further subdivided into two weight classes called Categories 1 and 2. An LMH-1 model weighs between 55 and 77 pounds, 2 ounces, and an LMH-2 model weighs between 77 pounds, 3 ounces, and 125 pounds. These seemingly random weight limits are a result of conversions from the FAI international weight standards of 25 and 35 kilograms, respectively.

Large helicopter models are nothing new in Europe, and the demand in the US has been rising to allow European pilots to fly here. Additionally, seeing such amazing models at our events has naturally made our pilots request a program to own and operate large models in the US. The subcommittee used the European requirements as a starting point for the AMA program.

The full documentation is available on the AMA website at Large Model Helicopter Program | Academy of Model Aeronautics (modelaircraft.org)

LMH paperwork is required to be filed any time there is a new LMH model or when an LMH model is repaired from damage or materially modified, and the paperwork must be renewed every 3 years or when ownership is changed. When paperwork is completed, it must be sent to AMA Headquarters within 30 days, along with the $25 application fee. After all documentation is verified and recorded, the pilot will receive documentation that the aircraft is approved. This registration is good for 3 years and must be renewed prior to the given expiration date.

LMH-1 models that are built from a commercially available kit can be inspected and certified by the builder/owner of the model. The weigh-in and test flights need to be witnessed and signed off by an AMA Leader Member, contest director (CD), or LMH inspector. For LMH-2 models, the weight, inspection, and flight demonstrations must be witnessed by an AMAcredentialed LMH inspector.

Scratch-built models need to follow the same guidelines, but the model needs to have an additional 10 hours of test and developmental flight time without a mishap to prove the design before it can be certified to fly at events or in front of spectators. Turbine-powered model helicopters follow the same weight requirements as non-turbine-powered helicopters.

Pilot Requirements

To fly an LMH-1 model, a pilot must have a minimum of 50 flights with a model helicopter that has a dry weight of 25 pounds or greater. An LMH-2 pilot must have a minimum of 50 flights with a model that has a dry weight of 40 pounds or greater. Additionally, in order to fly a turbine-powered LMTH helicopter, the pilot needs to be a current holder of a rotary turbine waiver.

Flight Requirements

The demonstration and certification flights need to encompass all of the maneuvers that would be performed by the model when it is flown in front of spectators. For example, if it’s an aerobatic model, such as the Red Bull helicopter, aerobatics need to be demonstrated.

When all of the documentation and required photos are received at AMA, you will receive a card with a picture of the model. This will serve as proof to AMA CDs, event managers, and any club officers that your model is properly inspected and credentialed.

Thanks to Darrell Sprayberry, Joel Rosenzweig, Mark Smith, Bryce Watson, Mike Okane, and Robert Klenke for their hard work on the subcommittee that developed the guidelines.