Models over 20Kgs

Hi All

That nice man polyphilla asked if i would post a bit of info on models over 20kgs, well i can but it will be mainley based on my own experience,

if you wish to build a large model and it is going to be over 20kgs, or likely to be (20.1 is over) in the UK it will be deemed to be by the CAA a real unmanned aircraft/drone unless exemption from the CAA is granted, sound like a lot of hassle,it aint honest. The Large Model Assosiation on behalf of the CAA runs the over 20k scheme, this is a brief description of how it works, first thing you need to do is register the model with the LMA, a simple phone call, do this before you do anything else, now you have as usual more than one route to build your model, there are now many large ARTF models about so you can either buy your kit, draw your plans or buy them, here the story follows the procedure as if the model was built from scratch,
After its registerd you will be linked to your local inspector, all moddelors, all unpaid voulenteers, all experienced over 20k builders/flyers, he will come to see you with your designs drgs etc and have a chat over a brew or two and together you will work through any issues re design/construction that may arise, once this is done you get the go ahead for construction, during which at intervals your inspector will need to see the build, again this is organised between you and he, but its vital all construction is seen before fully enclosing it in covering, the radio installation is also checked that it meets the specs and after all this, it may take weeks, months, even years depends on how fast you build, once you and your inspector are both happy that everything meets the specs and is ok to go to the next phase he will sign you certificate of design/construction and send it to the CAA to apply for you exemption to test cert, this is valid for two years and allows you to test fly your model in private, at your own field or one of many around that will help with testing the very large,and make any alterations to your model, once you have made your tweaks and alterations and are happy with it you then have to complete the test flight schedule which is a total of 1 hours flight in no less than 6 flights all this is witnessed by your inpsector and logged, once completed and signed off (it can be done in a day or a week or whatever) you then apply for you full exemption to fly, this takes about a week once you have the nice certificate in your sticky fingers (it lasts for three years) go play.

please feel free to ask questions i will do my best to answer them from my perspective, but anyone seriously considering building a large model go to
www.largemodelassociation.com/
and see the over 20 kg section everything you need to know is there, and the Chief examiner, Tony Hooper, is a very nice man extremely helpfull, (he used to be a pilot for Air Atlantique i believe) and will be more than glad to answer any query.

chris

Hi Chris, might be useful too, to mention the Pilot Requirements to fly an over 20Kg model as well? However as you say, a lot of info is availlable at the LMA website.

Membership of the LMA is not expensive for most and does carry benefits if folk like going to LMA events.

as far as i am aware there are no pilot requirements to fly over 20k models, all pilots will need to complete their 1hrs test flight schedule, as you say membership of the LMA aint dear and you get a lot for your money, including from this week personal accident cover, the only requirement is the LMA.s own profficiency scheme and this only applies to people wanting to fly at LMA events for any model over 7 kgs i think! you dont have to be a member of the LMA to build and fly a large model, but it is easier as you will still need to register it through them anyway,


chris

No props peeps, i will do my best to answer any querys,

chris

One thing that should be mentioned in an over 20 k model, its not just a show model, and the testing is not just a suggestion, or an if you want too thing, its CAA Law, and must be done even if the model is flown in private, not a lot of people know that, we have just put a 120inch B25 through the over 20K test, it was easy enough, and straight forward, first though, you must apply for a permit to test, if more than one pilot is on the paperwork, then all pilots must be tested flying the model for the same amount of flights, both the model and the pilot is on test,

i personally think that any model getting near the magic weight shoud be examined in the construction, if, heaven forbid, the model gets damaged, then it could creep over the limit with the repair, better safe than sorry,

there are also some models, both ARTF and plan/kit builds, that are found to be overweight, how do you view the construction? well, the LMA have boroscopes, these cameras can be used to examine an aircraft innards, MUCH better than cutting it open, which is exactly what was done in the old days!!