Do helicopters fly the same instrument approaches as fixed-wing aircraft?

Question

Do helicopters fly the same instrument approaches as fixed-wing aircraft? If so, which approach category and minimums do they use?

score 6 · Accepted Answer · edited Nov 11 '14 at 16:59

6

Helicopters can fly the same standard IAPS. The visibility minimum is the greater of

a) one half the Category A visibility minima, 

b) 1/4 statute mile visibility, or 

c) 1200 RVR

We use Category A's MDA/DH. See the AIM 10-1-2 for more information.

Also there are Copter IAPs (example here), and the viz/altitude minimums are stated on those plates.

edited Nov 11 '14 at 16:59

Pondlife

answered Nov 07 '14 at 19:31

Justin Kiang

Thanks, do you have a source for the minimums that you quoted? And is that the FAA regulation or another one? I'm not doubting your answer, I just haven't noticed many helicopter-specific procedures in the 'obvious' places, although admittedly I haven't searched systematically. – Pondlife Nov 10 '14 at 17:15
1

It's on FAR AIM 10-1-2.. Here's an example for a copter approach: http://155.178.201.160/d-tpp/1411/00610COPTERR028.PDF – Justin Kiang Nov 10 '14 at 21:23

1 Answers1