HAI tells ANN that after considerable work between their Flight Operations Committee and the FAA’s General Aviation and Commercial Division (AFS-800), the FAA, through a revision in its General Aviation Operations Inspector’s Handbook, FAA Order 8700.1, Change 28, dated December 18, 2003, now authorizes helicopters to conduct COPTER ILS approaches to Decision Heights (DH) below 200 feet at Category II facilities.

The change is delineated in Chapter 59 and states, “Copter ILS Approach Approval – Authorizations issued after a successful demonstration of this capability provides the holder the authority to descend to a DH of less than 200 feet with less than 1800 feet visibility, while conducting a Copter ILS approach CAT II ILS procedure.”

Authorization by a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) is required, and application by an operator must be made on FAA Form 7711-2, Application for Certificate of Waiver or Authorization. There are pilot training and certification requirements, as well as aircraft equipage, before authorization will be granted.

FMI: www.rotor.com/operations/2_059_00.pdf