Airworthiness and Registration questions

[Jon]

I have a few questions about airworthiness and registration. My subaru powered scorpion helicopter is almost ready for the open air.

What are all the requirements for a helicopter to be airworthy? I haven't found a list of requirements. I have heard that all the switches and gauges have to be labeled and I need a certain type of seat belt but that is about it. I have used all aircraft bolts and locking nuts or castle nuts with cotter pins and safety wired bolt heads that needed it. What else do I need to have or need to do?

I also would like to get the registration started but don't know where to start. I can fill out paperwork but I just don't want to start throwing un-necessary forms at the FAA. I went to the FAA website but I don't know what to do for my situation. Mine is not a kit and the only thing that came from the scorpion is the cabin and about 75% of the frame. I have built the rest of this helicopter from raw materials and off the shelf parts.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Jonathan

[gyroplanes]

Hi Jon,

Several things, FAA paperwork is tricky. According to a registrar, 67% of paperwork submitted is rejected. This is why I offer to do registration for anyone for $25.00 fee. The fee includes postage and forms, SASE envelopes, etc.. You just sign, add a $5.00 check to the FAA and drop it in a mailbox.

I suggest you visit my website and download the necessary FAA pre-certification checklist. It is also available from several sources, but I know mine is current. It can be found as "far 43 appendix d" (FAR43,d)

Any further questions, post here for all to see.

[grover]

Tom, if I were to buy a European gyro for my sheriff's office, could you handle that registration? Grover

[StanFoster]

Jon- Take it from me, go with Tom. He has done 3 gyro airworthiness certificates, and my helicopter for me. Each one sailed through except the Helicycle required submitting a turbine maintenance program to the FAA. Tom is da man!!!!! Stan

[choppergabor]

Tom is your man! Well he is mine too............but he can handle us both

[Jon]

Thanks Stan and Gabor. I have e-mailed Tom about getting the paperwork started and just waiting on his reply. I have an N number already reserved.

I looked through the FAR 43d and I didn't see anything about the type of seat belts to use. I currently have new inertia reel 3 point seat belts installed but they are made for an automobile.

[Chuck Roberg]

Jon, The reserved N number you have has to be changed to an "assigned" N number before the aircraft can have it's Airworthiness Inspection.

Since you are building an experimental aircraft the type of seat belts you use is up to you.

[Jon]

Thanks Chuck for the tip about the seat belts. I just reserved the N number so that I would have it when I sent my registration in. After I get the registration back then I can get the airworthiness inspection done, correct? Hopefully I will be able to find someone around here that can do the inspection.

[gyroplanes]

Hi Jon,
How close are you to Olney, Tx. ?

[Jon]

Hi Tom. According to mapquest Joaquin is about 330 miles from Olney. Are you doing an inspection up there?

[gyroplanes]

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi Tom. According to mapquest Joaquin is about 330 miles from Olney. Are you doing an inspection up there?
-----------------------------------------------------------------

No Jon, but there is (was?) a gyro knowledgeable DAR there. Dr. Robert Stark

[Texasautogyro]

I used a guy in Houston it was no big deal. I got all worked up for noething. You do want a good build log with pictures. Have all of the arrow docs and current weight and balance

[Jon]

Originally Posted by Texasautogyro

Have all of the arrow docs and current weight and balance

I know what weight and balance is but I have never heard of "arrow docs". What is it?

I figured I would be able to find someone fairly close by that could do the airworthines inspection for me. I guess I could load the helo up and take it to Hooks and get the inspector to meet me there. That's where I did all my flight training.

[utahgyrocop]

Arrow or more correctly AROW is an acronym for the following:

Airworthiness Certificate, Registration, Operators Handbook, and Weight & Balance Chart

Stay safe.

[Jon]

Thanks for clearing that up Heath. I guess I have quite a bit more documentation to provide. I did keep a builder log but it is not in one book so I guess that I will have to compile it into one. The operators handbook will be a different story, I may have to find some handbooks online and use that format to make mine. The weight and balance worksheet should be easy.