§135.609 VFR ceiling and visibility requirements for Class G airspace.
(a) Unless otherwise specified in the certificate holder’s operations specifications, when conducting VFR helicopter air ambulance operations in Class G airspace, the weather minimums in the following table apply:
|
Location |
Day |
Night |
Night using an Approved NVIS or HTAWS |
|||
|
Ceiling |
Flight Visibility |
Ceiling |
Flight Visibility |
Ceiling |
Flight Visibility |
|
|
Nonmountainous local flying areas |
800 feet |
2 statute miles |
1,000 feet |
3 statute miles |
800 feet |
3 statute miles |
|
Nonmountainous non-local flying areas |
800 feet |
3 statute miles |
1,000 feet |
5 statute miles |
1,000 feet |
3 statute miles |
|
Mountainous local flying areas |
800 feet |
3 statute miles |
1,500 feet |
3 statute miles |
1,000 feet |
3 statute miles |
|
Mountainous non-local flying areas |
1,000 feet |
3 statute miles |
1,500 feet |
5 statute miles |
1,000 feet |
5 statute miles |
(b) A certificate holder may designate local flying areas in a manner acceptable to the Administrator, that must—
(1) Not exceed 50 nautical miles in any direction from each designated location;
(2) Take into account obstacles and terrain features that are easily identifiable by the pilot in command and from which the pilot in command may visually determine a position; and
(3) Take into account the operating environment and capabilities of the certificate holder’s helicopters.
(c) A pilot must demonstrate a level of familiarity with the local flying area by passing an examination given by the certificate holder within the 12 calendar months prior to using the local flying area.
[Docket No. FAA–2010–0982, 79 FR 9975, Feb. 21, 2014; as amended by Amdt. 135–129A, 79 FR 41126, July 15, 2014]