- Holder
- Helicopter Transport Services LLC
- Revision
- 8
- Revised
- March 30, 2026
- Status
- Current
- Product
- Aircraft · Rotorcraft
- Certification basis
- Part 21, Part 29
- Models
- 2
- Registered
- 1 aircraft
The release keeps the latest revision of each data sheet. Model names are as the data sheet lists them.
On this page
Models · 2
| Model | Also known as | Note |
|---|---|---|
| CH-54A | Formerly Sikorsky, then Aviation International Rotors Inc. · Sikorsky | |
| JFTD12A-4A (T73-P-1) |
Airworthiness directives · 0
ADs whose products are models on this data sheet, matched by model and maker.
No ADs matched this data sheet’s models
Registered aircraft
Registry models that point at this data sheet, with their registered aircraft.
STCs approved under this data sheet · 23
STC SR02807SEInstallation of a Fly Away Tool boxSTC SR11923SEInstallation of Helicopter Transport Services, LLC Shock Absorber HTS-2000STC SR11810SEInstallation of Helicopter Transport Services, LLC External Load Indicating System
See all 23 STCsWhat the data sheet says
From the PDF’s text layer, line by line: tables lose their columns. The PDF is the record.
Page No. 1 2 3 4 5 6
Rev. No. 8 7 7 7 8 7
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
H16NM
Revision 8
Helicopter Transport Services, LLC
CH-54A
March 30, 2026
TYPE CERTIFICATE DATA SHEET H16NM
This data sheet, which is a part of the Type Certificate Data Sheet No. H16NM, prescribes conditions and limitations
under which the product for which the type certificate was issued meets the airworthiness requirements of the 14
Code of Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR).
Type Certificate Holder: Helicopter Transport Services, LLC
14497 Keil Road NE
Aurora, OR 97002
Type Certificate Holder Record: Aviation International Rotors, Inc. Transferred Ownership of TC H16NM to
Heavy Lift Helicopters, Inc. on March 12, 2002.
Heavy Lift Helicopters, Inc. Transferred Ownership of TC H16NM to
Helicopter Transport Services, LLC on March 7, 2008
Address Change on January 9, 2014
I. - Model CH-54A (Restricted Category Rotorcraft) Approved June 15, 1994. (See NOTES Section)
Engines (2) Pratt & Whitney JFTD12A-4A (T73-P-1)
Fuel ASTM-D1655 (Jet A, Jet A-1, Jet B) (SEE NOTE 12.)
Engine Limits Shaft
Horsepower
Power
Turbine
Speed
(N)
Gas
Gen.
Speed
(N)
Power
Inlet
(T)
Military Power (30 Min.) 4500 105% 104% 688C
Normal Continuous Cruise 4000 104% 104% 655C
Takeoff and maximum continuous horsepower ratings are normally obtained at a
power turbine speed of 9000 r.p.m. (100% N 2).
Total power for two-engine operation is limited to 6600 shp for takeoff and
5400 shp maximum continuous.
Refer to TM 55-1520-217-10-1, Operator’s Manual, Army Model CH-54A
Helicopters, Chapter 5, for additional limitation data.
Rotor Speed Limits Power Off Power On
Maximum 204 r.p.m. (110% N r) Maximum 193 r.p.m. (104% N r)
Minimum 167 r.p.m. (90% N r) Minimum 185 r.p.m. (100% N r)
Airspeed V NE (Never Exceed Speed) 99 knots between 38,000 lbs. and 42,000 lbs.
Gross weight. 115 knots up to 38,000 lbs. gross weight.
H16NM Page 2 of 6
C.G. Range Longitudinal C.G. Limits
(+324.0 To +352.0) at 23,000 lbs.
(+324.0 To +352.0) at 30,000 lbs.
(+328.0 To +352.0) at 38,000 lbs.
(+328.0 To +346.0) at 38,000 lbs.
(+328.0 To +346.0) at 42,000 lbs.
Straight Line Variation Between Points Given. (See chart.)
42,000
GROSS WEIGHT
(LBS.) 38,000
30,000
23,000
324 328 346 352
Station - Inches
Empty Weight C.G. Range None
Datum Station 0 (Datum is 336 inches forward of main rotor centroid).
Leveling Means Plumb line from top level plate inside cockpit aft door. (SEE NOTE 1.)
Maximum Weight 42,000 lbs.
Minimum Crew 2 - pilot and copilot
Number of Seats (See Note 14)
Maximum Cargo See NOTE 6.
Fuel Capacity 1351 gal. - 454 gal. at (+280.8), 454 gal. at (+397.3), 443 gal. at (+461.3).
Oil Capacity 3.2 gal. at (+234.0) - (2 tanks 1.6 gal. each).
Rotor Blade and
Control Movements For rigging information, see NOTE 3.
Eligible Serial No. U.S. Military Surplus CH-54A helicopters as identified in Helicopter Transport
Services, LLC Report No. HTS-105, N.C., dated October 16, 2009, or later FAA
Approved revisions. A current copy is on file at Seattle ACO.
Certification Basis Part 21 § 21.25(a)(2) effective February 1, 1965, including Amendments 21-1
through 21-42. Type Certificate No. H16NM issued June 15, 1994, for the
Special Purpose of:
1) Agricultural Operations under § 21.25(b)(1).
Note: In accordance with part 36 § 36.1(a)(4), compliance with the noise
requirements was not shown. Therefore, aircraft certificated under this type
certificate are only eligible for agricultural operations except by § 36.1(a)(4) and
defined under part § 137.3.
H16NM
Page 3 of 6 Revision 6
Certification Basis (cont’d) 2) Forest and Wildlife Conservation Operations under § 21.25(b)(2).
Note: In accordance with § 36.1(a)(4), compliance with the noise requirements
was not shown. Therefore, aircraft certificated under this type certificate are
only eligible for dispensing fire fighting materials excepted by § 36.1(a)(4) and
defined under § 137.3.
3) External Load Operation under § 21.25(b)(7).
Note: In accordance with § 36.1(a)(4), compliance with the noise requirements
was not shown. Therefore, aircraft certificated under this type certificate are
only eligible for external loads operations excepted by § 36.1(a)(4) and defined
under part § 133.1(b).
General Note: Any subsequent modifications to the helicopters type certified
under this Type Certificate are to have the certification basis for that
modification established under 14 CFR 21.101 published June 7, 2000 which
became effective June 10, 2003. Otherwise non-significant modifications are to
meet the requirements of CAR 7, airworthiness standards, transport category,
including Amendment 7-5, effective May 1962, plus special conditions for
turbine engine installations and 14 CFR 29.1529, Instructions for Continued
Airworthiness, Amendment 20, effective September 11, 1980.
Date of Application February 28, 1994.
Production Basis None: No helicopter may be produced under this approval. Prior to adding
serial numbers to this Type Certificate, each candidate helicopter must undergo
a conformity inspection. The conformity inspection will be conducted in
accordance with a Type Inspection Authorization, Part 1, or request for
conformity that will include as a minimum, the inspections contained in the
FAA Rotorcraft Directorate Restricted Category conformity document dated
September 25, 2001 or later FAA approved revisions.
Equipment Equipment necessary for the particular special purpose operation must be
installed. Each helicopter is required to incorporate modifications as specified
in Helicopter Transport Services, LLC Engineering Configuration Report No.
HLH-101, Rev 1., dated October 16, 2009, or later FAA approved revisions.
NOTES
NOTE 1. A current weight and balance report including a list of equipment included in the
certificated empty weight, and loading instructions when necessary, must be
provided for each helicopter at the time of original airworthiness certification.
Refer to Chapter 5 and 6 of Operator’s Manual, Army Model CH-54A
Helicopters, TM55-1520-217-10-1, Maintenance Manual TM55-1520-217-23-1-
1, Paragraph 1-29 through 1-31 for leveling means and weight and balance
determination, and Helicopter Transport Services, LLC. Weight and Balance
Report No. HTS-107, Revision 1, dated June 26, 2010, or latest revision, for
aircraft weight and balance calculations.
H16NM Page 4 of 6
NOTE 2. The following placards, Drawing HTS-1001, Rev. 1, March 29, 2010, must be
prominently displayed in the cockpit in full view of the pilots:
Placard No. 1
“THIS ROTORCRAFT MUST BE OPERATED IN ACCORDANCE WITH
THE RESTRICTED CATEGORY OPERATING LIMITATIONS OF 14
CFR PART 91 § 91.313.”
Placard No. 2
“THIS HELICOPTER MUST BE OPERATED IN COMPLIANCE WITH
THE OPERATING LIMITATIONS SPECIFIED IN THE APPROVED
HELICOPTEROPERATORS MANUAL. REFER TO TM55-1520-217-10-
1, CHAPTER 5, FOR OPERATING LIMITS AND RESTRICTIONS.”
Placard No. 3
“VFR OPERATIONS ONLY.”
The builder’s data plate required by part 45 § 45.13 must be installed in
accordance with drawing HTS-1002, Rev. 1, dated March 29, 2010, or later
FAA approved revisions.
NOTE 3. The helicopter(s) must be serviced, maintained, inspected, repaired, and
overhauled in accordance with the documents specified in Helicopter Transport
Services, LLC Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Report HTS-102,
Revision 2, dated January 24, 2013, or later FAA accepted revision, or inspected
in accordance with other FAA accepted inspection programs. The TC Holder’s
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness Report is part of the TC Holder’s
Instructions for Continued Airworthiness.
NOTE 4. Prior to obtaining an original Airworthiness Certificate:
A. Each helicopter must pass a conformity inspection in accordance with
Helicopter Transport Services, LLC Engineering Configuration Report HLH-
101, Rev. 1, dated October 16, 2009, or later FAA approved revision. The
Engineering Configuration Report identifies the Military Maintenance Work
Orders, Technical Bulletins, Optional Equipment, and the special purpose
modification(s) accomplished on that particular helicopter. In addition, each
helicopter must pass an inspection for any possible hidden damage and the
Military records reviewed for acceptability of any repairs or alterations. In
addition a check, by the type certificate holder of the flight characteristics in
accordance with all applicable portions of U.S. Army Technical Manual
“Operators Manual, Army Model CH-54A Helicopters”, TM55-1520-217-10-1,
dated April 8, 1977, with changes 1 through 8, revised September 25, 1986, and
U.S. Army Technical Manual No. TM55-1520-217-CL-1, “Operator’s &
Crewmember’s Checklist, Army Model CH-54A Helicopters, Pilot’s Checklist”,
dated June 2, 1985, as appropriate for each aircraft, or other FAA approved
manual must be accomplished.
B. The maintenance, overhaul, and modification records of each helicopter must
be reviewed for military changes that may affect the airworthiness of the
helicopter.
C. After the required inspections, the aircraft must be found to be in a good
state of preservation, repair, and in a condition for safe operation.
H16NM
Page 5 of 6 Revision 6
NOTE 5. This aircraft is prohibited from carrying cargo for compensation or hire.
Carriage of cargo is limited to such cargo that is incidental to the aircraft
owner/operator’s business which is other than air transportation.
NOTE 6. This helicopter must be operated in accordance with a Flight Manual comprised
of the following:
(1) Department of the Army Technical Manual No. TM55-1520-217-10-1,
“Operator’s Manual, Army Model CH-54A Helicopters”, dated April 8,
1977, with Changes 1 through 8, revised September 25, 1986.
(2) Department of the Army Technical Manual No. TM55-1520-217-CL-1,
“Operator’s & Crewmember’s Checklist, Army Model CH-54A
Helicopters, Pilot’s Checklist”, dated June 2, 1985.
(3) CH-54 Helicopter Transport Services, Inc. Rotorcraft Flight Manual, Report
HTS-110, Rev 1, FAA approved October 28, 2009, or later FAA approved
revisions.
NOTE 7. Restricted Category aircraft may not be operated in a foreign country without
the express written approval of that country.
NOTE 8. This aircraft has not been shown to meet the requirements of the applicable
comprehensive and detailed airworthiness code as provided by Annex 8 to the
Convention on International Civil Aviation.
NOTE 9. Engine changes are allowed provided the replacement engine is of the same
make and model as identified in this TCDS. The replacement engine must have
proper records and have the applicable FAA Airworthiness inspection
accomplished.
NOTE 10. The Airworthiness Directives for the helicopter and engine contained in
Helicopter Transport Services, LLC, Airworthiness Directives Report HTS-106,
Rev. 1, dated March 29, 2010, or later FAA approved revision, must be
complied with prior to original airworthiness certification.
NOTE 11. The service life limited parts overhaul and retirement intervals for these
helicopters is specified in Helicopter Transport Services, LLC, Instructions For
Continued Airworthiness Report, Report No. HTS-102, Revision 6, dated
January 6, 2026, or later FAA approved revision.
NOTE 12. Alternate and emergency fuels are listed in TM55-1520-217-10-1, Operator’s
Manual, Army Model CH-54A Helicopters, Chapter 2, Section XV. Some
limitations apply for the use of certain alternate and emergency fuels. These
limitations are listed in this section.
NOTE 13. Provisions for the carriage of external loads are available in the form of
structural hard points on the fuselage and main landing gear; single point hoist;
four lashing reels; and four load-leveler suspension systems. Information
concerning the operating limitations with this equipment is contained in the
Flight Manual.
NOTE 14. No person may be carried in the helicopter during flight unless that person is
essential to the purpose of the flight.
H16NM Page 6 of 6
NOTE 15 Any alteration to the type design of this aircraft may require Instructions for
Continued Airworthiness. These instructions must be submitted and accepted
by FTW-AEG, Aircraft Evaluation Group Office, prior to approval for return to
service.
…..END…..