Kit helicopters

peter bewley · Post by **peter bewley** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 8:06 pm

Do we ever think the LAA will take on kit helicopters as the EAA does in the USA

Brian Hope · Post by **Brian Hope** » Mon Mar 12, 2012 9:48 pm

Afraid LAA will almost certainly never take on kit helicopters. The Association approves aircraft and looks after their continuing airworthiness, and in order to do that it needs aeronautical engineers with the relevant experience. Helicopters have little similarity to aeroplanes, and even gyros, and the Association does not have the relevant expertise. Unfortunately the kit helicopter market is far too small to ever consider that it could support the employment of even a part time helicopter competant aeronautical engineer. Liability issues would also almost certainly come into play too, not to mention the fact that the CAA would have to be persuaded that they should allow LAA to take on helicopters.
Whilst EAA may offer support to kit aeroplane and helicopter builders, it does so only by providing advice via Designees - volunteer experienced buiders and engineers. The FAA regulates the aircraft, makes final inspections and signs off the aircraft. EAA carries no approval responsibility for the aircraft at all in fact. The technical roles of the two Associations are really quite different.

Dave Stephens · Post by **Dave Stephens** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 7:43 am

What's the score on N reg helicopters? I know there are lots of N reg fixed wing, and even N reg experimental aircraft flying in the UK (Red Ball planes) so what's stopping you buying an N reg experimental helicopter ? I assume you would have to fly it on an FAA licence?

Just thinking out loud

Dave

Mark A · Post by **Mark A** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 3:49 pm

A US registered experimental does not have a standard category CofA so cannot fly outside the US without specific authorization of the respective airspace authority. Canada has a standard form of authority for US experimental category, but for any other country a specific exemption needs to be granted.

Most countries will grant these exemptions for specific purposes and subject to restrictions (e.g. no commercial, IFR etc). To permanently relocate a non-standard category aircraft, you would normally need to get it registered and approved with the local authority.

As a separate point, the FAA allow N registered aircraft to be either flown on a federal or locally issued licence. So you can fly N reg in the UK on a UK issued licence, but not take it outside the UK.