VFR (VISUAL FLIGHT RULES) FLYING IS EASY: HELICOPTER OPERATIONS UNDER VFR IN INDIA

Satirical title of this write-up is an obvious intended inference. The wide perception that flight under VFR is easy even by a few pilots is intriguing. Minimal institutional assistance extended to VFR flying validates the argument. Lengthening list of repeated CFIT cases however sufficiently and accurately establishes fallacy of 'Easy VFR' conjecture

- Capt. Peeush Kumar

Visual Flight Rules (VFR) defines boundaries of operation through meteorological conditions of visibility and cloud, ambient light, speeds and altitudes. Compliance to rules is legally binding and facilitates safe aircraft control and navigation solely by visual cues.

Unlike for flights under IFR (Instrument Flying Rules), the aviation ecosystem effectively relies on one/two minds working under VFR for responsibilities of traffic, weather and terrain avoidance. Systemic support to aircrafts under IFR on the other hand, is a collective effort by pilots, air traffic controllers and technology. Helicopters under VFR do not enjoy aforesaid institutionalised support. In this perspective, helicopter operations under VFR are outliers.

Operations under IFR and under VFR are mutually exclusive; only one could be present. Flying under VFR in IMC (Instrument Meteorological Conditions) is both unsafe and illegal. Regulators cannot have monitoring capabilities to enforce this real-world paradox outweighed by commercial imperatives. Stakes for a pilot are intense in the emerging complex picture.

In context of business strategy, end-user impression is a potent element to augment or strangulate a service. Connecting dots adequately populate Indian Helicopter industry's picture. Unfortunate fatal accident (Dec 2021) involving India's first CDS (Chief of Defence Staff), an offshore CFIT case of S76D helicopter (Jun 2022) operated by 'Pawan Hans Limited', and Kedarnath area helicopter crash of Oct 2022 have influenced potential commuters in an undesirable way.

Flying under VFR is tricky. It involves all of pilots' skill, awareness, decision-making capabilities and preparation to complete a flight safely. VFR flying is indeed simpler for spatial orientation and visual navigation provided VMC (Visual Meteorological Conditions) exists.