UNLTD Off-Road Racing Helicopter Rules
Please review the UNLTD Off-Road Racing Series Helicopter Rules
before scrolling down to register a helicopter for an event.
At UNLTD Off-Road Racing, we place the utmost importance on safety, adhering strictly to all Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and local laws, as well as airport safety regulations. Our approach to helicopter safety is centered around ensuring the well-being of our pilots, racers, and the public at all of our events. This commitment to safety and regulation adherence is not only a cornerstone of our operations but also a key factor in maintaining the integrity and success of our off-road races. Our policies are designed to minimize risks and ensure a safe, enjoyable experience for all of our racers, the media, and our spectators.
There are four distinct classes of helicopters at our events:
- Those spotting for race teams.
- Those carrying film crews to document the races (including those operated by our organization).
- Spectator helicopters.
- Medical transport helicopters.
At times we may have as many as thirty-five aircraft operating simultaneously. This underscores the critical importance of effective communication and stringent adherence to pilot etiquette. Maintaining clear and constant communication among all pilots is essential for ensuring the safety and smooth operation of the races.
General Information:
Registration:
All helicopters must be registered to enter our airspace during our events. It is imperative that we have accurate information for your aircraft as well as the cell phone number of the pilot who is operating the aircraft. Pilots will register for each race, individually.
Insurance:
Proof of commercial liability helicopter insurance is required to operate at our events. Please provide a certificate of insurance prior to the race with no less than one million dollars per occurrence and two million dollars aggregate limits. Insurance certificates must be issued from an admitted carrier in the United States approved by the FAA, and specify that they provide coverage for commercial operations. Note that the named Additional Insured will vary per race.
Insurance Waiver:
Every pilot, and/or passenger in the helicopter must sign our Waiver and wear the issued waiver wristband during our event. No exceptions.
Safety Meetings:
Attendance at safety meetings is mandatory. Additional safety videos may be required viewing as well.
Airspace and Landing Zones"
Airspace:
For each race we have defined our airspace with specific geographic boundaries.
Principal Airport:
For each race we have defined a single principal airport of operations. Note that none of the airports we utilize currently allow hot fueling.
Designated Landing Zones:
Landing a helicopter at our races is almost always limited to principal airports and private properties with permission. Landing within our federal closure on BLM managed land is prohibited except for emergencies.
Navigation and Communications
GPS and Navigation:
All pilots must have a GPS enabled navigation system, loaded with our race course files, and be actively monitoring their position while in our airspace.
Communication:
Our dedicated helicopter radio frequency for our races is 130.30. All pilots must be able to communicate with each other and our race operations staff using this frequency. Our general race operation radio frequency is Weatherman: 151.625 Additionally, all pilots must provide us with their cell phone numbers and be able to communicate via cell phone as a backup.
Altitude and Flight Policies
Orbit Direction:
The orbit direction will typically mirror that of the race course direction. Example: if the Mint 400 race course is being raced in a counter clockwise direction, we ask all helicopters orbiting the start line to orbit in a counter clockwise direction.
Minimum Altitude Policy:
- Backward on Course: 1000 AGL
- Start/Finish Line: 500 AGL
- Spectator Areas: 500 AGL
- Course Checkpoints: 250 AGL
- Open Desert / Terrain: No minimum. Note: helicopters should not stay directly over the racecourse.
Pilot Etiquette:
Pilots should at all times avoid creating vision hazards with dust and respect power lines and other potential hazards in the area. They should provide constant communication with other pilots about their locations and intentions.
Emergency Protocols:
Report via radio:
If you witness a crash, or see a medical emergency please contact the UNLTD Medical staff immediately on Weatherman: 151.625 They will need to know the approximate race mile, # of vehicles involved, if there is a fire hazard, and if the course is blocked. Please hover over the accident scene carefully at 500 AGL and advise other helicopters on approach with other race vehicles.
Report via phone call or text message:
If you cannot make radio contact but have cell service please call or text David Nehrbass at (725) 780-6197 He will need the SAME information: approximate race mile, # of vehicles involved, if there is a fire hazard, and if the course is blocked.
Land to Assist:
If you deem it necessary to land your helicopter and provide assistance, contact Mint 400 Medical on Weatherman: 151.625 and wait to receive clearance. If cleared to land you must immediately shut down your engine once you touch down. Do not create an additional hazzard by landing too close to the accident scene, as the medical transport chopper may need to land as well and race vehicles may need to drive around the accident scene.
Additional Rules and Expectations:
Television and Spectating:
Coordination with television crews and specific rules for helicopter spectating.
Penalties:
Consequences for non-compliance, including the possibility of revoking privileges.
Parker 400 Insurance:
Helicopter pilots must provide proof of commercial liability helicopter insurance naming “The Arizona Race Corp., 29755 Kirsten LN, Vista CA 92084”, as additional insured, with no less than one million dollars per occurrence and two million dollars aggregate limits. Insurance certificates must be issued from an admitted carrier in the United States approved by the FAA, and specify that they provide coverage for commercial operations.
Mint 400 Insurance:
Helicopter pilots must provide proof of commercial liability helicopter insurance naming “The Mint 400 Race Corp., 29755 Kirsten LN, Vista CA 92084”, as additional insured, with no less than one million dollars per occurrence and two million dollars aggregate limits. Insurance certificates must be issued from an admitted carrier in the United States approved by the FAA, and specify that they provide coverage for commercial operations.
California 300 Insurance:
Helicopter pilots must provide proof of commercial liability helicopter insurance naming “The California 300 Race Corp., 29755 Kirsten LN, Vista CA 92084”, as additional insured, with no less than one million dollars per occurrence and two million dollars aggregate limits. Insurance certificates must be issued from an admitted carrier in the United States approved by the FAA, and specify that they provide coverage for commercial operations.