Helicopter Attitude  Instrument Flying Chapter8 Introduction Attitude instrument flying in helicopters is essentially visual  flying with the flight instruments substituted for the various  reference points on the helicopter and the natural horizon.  Control changes, required to produce a given attitude by  reference to instruments, are identical to those used in  helicopter visual flight rules (VFR) flight, and pilot thought  processes are the same. Basic instrument training is intended to  be a building block toward attaining an instrument rating. 