AIM
12/2/21
TBL 10
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Helicopter Use of Standard Instrument Approach Procedures
Procedure
Helicopter Visibility
Minima
Helicopter MDA/DA
Maximum Speed Limitations
Conventional
(non
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Copter)
The greater of: one half
the Category A visibility
minima,
1
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4
statute mile
visibility, or 1200 RVR
As published for
Category A
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.
Copter Procedure
As published
As published
90 KIAS maximum when on a
published route/track.
RNAV (GPS) Copter
Procedure
As published
As published
The maximum speed for a Copter
approach will be 90 KIAS or as
published on the chart. Note: Higher
approach angles may require a
lower approach speed and aircraft
V
MINI
. Military procedures are
limited to 90 KIAS for all segments.
NOTE
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Several factors affect the ability of the pilot to acquire and
maintain the visual references specified in 14 CFR
Section 91.175(c), even in cases where the flight visibility
may be at the minimum derived from the criteria in
TBL 10
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1. These factors include, but are not limited to:
1.
Cockpit cutoff angle (the angle at which the cockpit or
other airframe structure limits downward visibility below
the horizon).
2.
Combinations of high MDA/DH and low visibility
minimum, such as approaches with reduced helicopter
visibility minima (per 14 CFR Section 97.3).
3.
Type, configuration, and intensity of approach and
runway/heliport lighting systems.
4.
Type of obscuring phenomenon and/or windshield
contamination.
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3. Helicopter Approach Procedures
to VFR Heliports
a.
The FAA may develop helicopter instrument
approaches for heliports that do not meet the design
standards for an IFR heliport. The majority of IFR
approaches to VFR heliports are developed in support
of Helicopter Air Ambulance (HAA) operators.
These approaches may require use of conventional
NAVAIDS or a RNAV system (e.g., GPS). They may
be developed either as a special approach (pilot
training is required for special procedures due to their
unique characteristics) or a public approach (no
special training required). These instrument proce-
dures may be designed to guide the helicopter to a
specific landing area (Proceed Visually) or to a
point
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in
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space with a “Proceed VFR” segment.
1. An approach to a specific landing area.
This type of approach is aligned to a missed approach
point from which a landing can be accomplished with
a maximum course change of 30 degrees. The visual
segment from the MAP to the landing area is
evaluated for obstacle hazards. These procedures are
annotated: “PROCEED VISUALLY FROM (named
MAP) OR CONDUCT THE SPECIFIED MISSED
APPROACH.”
(a)
“Proceed Visually” requires the pilot to
acquire and maintain visual contact with the landing
area at or prior to the MAP, or execute a missed
approach. The visibility minimum is based on the
distance from the MAP to the landing area, among
other factors.
(b)
The pilot is required to have the published
minimum visibility throughout the visual segment
flying the path described on the approach chart.
(c)
Similar to an approach to a runway, the
pilot is responsible for obstacle or terrain avoidance
from the MAP to the landing area.
(d)
Upon reaching the published MAP, or as
soon as practicable thereafter, the pilot should advise
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Helicopter IFR Operations