Departing IFR/VFR When Weather Reporting Is Not Available
This action will permit the pilot in command of a helicopter air ambulance to assess the weather at a departure point where current weather observations are not available and allow the pilot to depart if the observed ceiling and visibility is greater than certain weather minimums. This action will allow a pilot to utilize the minimum takeoff visibilities depicted in a published obstacle departure procedure, or in the absence of such a procedure, when the pilot observed ceiling and visibility is greater than the minimum ceiling and visibility limitations required by specific helicopter air ambulance rules. This change to the current regulation will permit helicopter air ambulance flights to enter the National Airspace System under Instrument Flight Rules when visibilities and ceilings are below Visual Flight Rules, thus increasing the safety of the flight.