Well its probably due to the fact that some folks believe a National Organization is needed to help promote the Helicopter Hobby. Your question WHY is a loaded question and I could write a 5 or 6 page reply but to sum it up, people want one.

On another note, yes IRCHA is a SIG of the AMA just as anyone can form a group and apply for SIG status. As far as the Official Helicopter group thats your take on it. Take a look at some of the Airplane SIGS, there are sometimes two and three directed at the same format of flying.

There are a lot of folks that would enjoy being part of a large organization, however they dont wish to belong to any that currently exist so why not form up a new one that will offer what the majority of the membership wants.

This is probably clear as Mud....

Thanks for asking

Craig