AIM 8/15/19  10 − 1 − 2. Helicopter Instrument Approaches NOTE − also be limited to no more than 70 KIAS. Use the published minima, no reductions allowed. a. Helicopters are capable of flying any published 14 CFR Part 97, Standard Instrument Approach Procedures (SIAPs), for which they are properly equipped, subject to the following limitations and conditions: 2. Helicopters flying Copter SIAPs may use the published minima, with no reductions allowed. The maximum airspeed is 90 KIAS on any segment of the approach or missed approach. 3. Helicopters flying GPS Copter SIAPs must limit airspeed to 90 KIAS or less when flying any segment of the procedure, except speeds must be limited to no more than 70 KIAS on the final and missed approach segments. Military GPS Copter SIAPs are limited to no more than 90 KIAS throughout the procedure. If annotated, holding may Obstruction clearance surfaces are based on the aircraft speed and have been designed on these approaches for 70 knots. If the helicopter is flown at higher speeds, it may fly outside of protected airspace. Some helicopters have a V$_{MINI}$ greater than 70 knots; therefore, they cannot meet the 70 knot limitation to conduct this type of procedure. Some helicopter autopilots, when used in the “go − around” mode, are programmed with a V$_{YI}$ greater than 70 knots, therefore when using the autopilot “go − around” mode, they cannot meet the 70 knot limitation to conduct this type of approach. It may be possible to use the autopilot for the missed approach in the other than the “go − around” mode and meet the 70 knot limitation to conduct this type of approach. When operating at speeds other than V$_{YI}$ or V$_{Y}$, performance data may not be available in the RFM to predict compliance with climb gradient requirements. Pilots may use observed performance in similar weight/altitude/temperature/speed conditions to evaluate the suitability of performance. Pilots are cautioned to monitor climb performance to ensure compliance with procedure requirements. 4. TBL 10 − 1 − 1 summarizes these require- ments. 1. Helicopters flying conventional (non − Copter) SIAPs may reduce the visibility minima to not less than one half the published Category A landing visibility minima, or $^{1}$/$_{4}$ statute mile visibility/1200 RVR, whichever is greater unless the procedure is annotated with “ Visibility Reduction by Helicopters NA .” This annotation means that there are penetrations of the final approach obstacle identification surface (OIS) and that the 14 CFR Section 97.3 visibility reduction rule does not apply and you must take precaution to avoid any obstacles in the visual segment. No reduction in MDA/DA is permitted. 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 missed approach point (MAP) in order to apply the visibility reduction. Pilots are cautioned that such a decelerating approach may make early identification of wind shear on the approach path difficult or impossible. If required, use the Inoperative Components and Visual Aids Table provided in the front cover of the U.S. Terminal Procedures Volume to derive the Category A minima before applying the 14 CFR Section 97.3(d − 1) rule. 5. Even with weather conditions reported at or above landing minima, some combinations of reduced cockpit cutoff angle, minimal approach/ runway lighting, and high MDA/DH coupled with a low visibility minima, the pilot may not be able to identify the required visual reference(s) during the approach, or those references may only be visible in a very small portion of the pilot’s available field of view. Even if identified by the pilot, these visual references may not support normal maneuvering and normal rates of descent to landing. The effect of such a combination may be exacerbated by other conditions such as rain on the windshield, or incomplete windshield defogging coverage. 6. Pilots are cautioned to be prepared to execute a missed approach even though weather conditions may be reported at or above landing minima. NOTE − See paragraph 5 − 4 − 21, Missed Approach, for additional information on missed approach procedures. Helicopter IFR Operations 10 − 1 − 3