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Since
there is a huge
lack of training material for helicopter pilots to get their instrument
rating,
I’ve written this page to solve that problem. On
this page, I try to lay out the
differences discussed in the AIM and FAR Part 91 as it applies to
helicopters.
§ 91.119 Minimum
safe altitudes: General
Helicopters may be operated at less than the minimums prescribed in
paragraph
(b) or (c) of this section if the operation is conducted without hazard
to
persons or property on the surface. Paragraph B states that an
aircraft
must maintain an altitude of 1,000 feet above the highest obstacle
within a
horizontal radius of 2,000 feet of the aircraft in congested
areas.
Paragraph C states that an aircraft must maintain an altitude of 500
feet above
the surface in non-congested areas. Over open water or sparsely
populated
areas, an aircraft may not be operated closer than 500 feet to any
person,
vessel, vehicle, or structure.
§ 91.126 Operating on or in the
vicinity of an airport
in Class G airspace
Each pilot of a helicopter must avoid the flow of fixed-wing
aircraft.
Normally, aircraft would make all turns to the left unless the airport
displays
approved light signals or visual markings indicating that turns should
be made
to the right.
§ 91.127 Operating on or in the
vicinity of an airport
in Class E airspace
Comply with the requirements of §91.126
§ 91.129 Operations in Class D
airspace
Avoid the flow of fixed-wing aircraft, if operating a helicopter.
Comply
with all other requirements such as
communication requirements with the tower.
§ 91.151 Fuel requirements for
flight in VFR
conditions
No person may begin a flight in a rotorcraft under VFR conditions
unless
(considering wind and forecast weather conditions) there is enough fuel
to fly
to the first point of intended landing and, assuming normal cruising
speed, to
fly after that for at least 20 minutes. Other aircraft are
required to
have 30 minutes of fuel for day and 45 minutes of fuel for night
flight.
§ 91.155 Basic VFR weather minimums
Part (b) Class G Airspace, Paragraph (1) Helicopter. A
helicopter
may be operated clear of clouds if operated at a speed that allows the
pilot
adequate opportunity to see any air traffic or obstruction in time to
avoid a
collision. All other VFR weather minimums are in effect.
§ 91.157 Special VFR weather
minimums
- This part allows
helicopters to fly SVFR even when flight visibility is below 1 statute
mile when required for other aircraft.
- This part also allows
helicopters to operate SVFR at night while other aircraft would have to
be IFR certified with an instrument rated pilot.
- This part allows
helicopters to take off or land a helicopter even when the ground
visibility is below 1 statute mile.
§ 91.167 Fuel
requirements for flight in IFR conditions (Alternate Minimums)
Helicopters must complete the flight to the first airport of intended
landing,
then fly from that airport to the alternate airport; and then fly after
that
for 30 minutes at normal cruising speed. Normally, other aircraft
are
required to have 45 minutes.
§ 91.169 IFR Flight Plan Requirements
(Alternate Minimums)
For helicopters, at the estimated time of arrival and for 1
hour after the
estimated time of arrival, the ceiling will be at least 1,000 feet
above the
airport elevation, or at least 400 feet above the lowest applicable
approach
minima, whichever is higher, and the visibility will be at least 2
statute
miles. If not, you must select an alternate in your flight plan.
That alternate must have a ceiling 200 feet above the minimum for the
approach
to be flown, and visibility at least 1 statute mile but never less than
the
minimum visibility for the approach to be flown.
§ 91.205 Powered civil aircraft
with standard category
U.S. airworthiness certificates: Instrument and equipment requirements
For rotorcraft manufactured after September 16, 1992, a shoulder
harness for
each seat that meets the requirements of §27.2 or §29.2 of
this chapter in
effect on September 16, 1991. Airplanes were required to have
shoulder
harnesses as of July 18, 1978.
NOTE: All other applicable rules of Part 91 apply to
helicopters.
AIM
10-1-2. Helicopter
Use of Standard Instrument Approach Procedures
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Procedure
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Helicopter Visibility
Minima
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Helicopter MDA/DA
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Maximum Speed
Limitations
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Conventional (non-Copter)
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The greater of: one half the
Category A visibility minima, 1/4 statute mile
visibility, or 1200 RVR
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As published for Category A
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The helicopter may initiate
the final approach segment at speeds up to the upper limit of the
highest Approach Category authorized by the procedure, but must be
slowed to no more than 90 KIAS at the MAP in order to apply the
visibility reduction.
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Copter Procedure
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As published
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As published
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90 KIAS when on a published
route/track.
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GPS Copter Procedure
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As published
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As published
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90 KIAS when on a published
route or track, EXCEPT 70 KIAS when on the final approach or missed
approach segment and, if annotated, in holding. Military procedures are
limited to 90 KIAS for all segments.
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“When a flight is proceeding
incredibly well, something was forgotten.” Robert Livingston, 'Flying
The
Aeronca
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