An FAA notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) would permit Part 135 helicopter ambulance operators whose aircraft are not equipped with functioning radar or lightning-strike detection to conduct IFR departures and approaches at airports and heliports that do not have an approved weather reporting source. However, the rule would apply only when there is no reasonable expectation of severe weather at the destination, the alternate, or along the route of flight.

The FAA believes the current limitations inadvertently restrict helicopter ambulance operations. The agency also expects the new rule would “increase the frequency of IFR operations, thereby minimizing pilots’ operations under VFR in VMC.” Additionally, since the current requirement was established in 2014, the FAA has granted exemption requests from nine helicopter ambulance operators to fly without weather-detection equipment.  

This rule would also update requirements to address the coming discontinuation of area weather forecasts. The FAA plans to discontinue area forecasts and transition to digital and graphical alternatives already being produced. To address this future transition, the NPRM would update the wording in Part 135.611 from "area forecast" to "weather reports, forecasts, or any combination of them."

Finally, this rulemaking proposes to include additional types of departure procedures currently not acceptable for heli-med operations but typically required to depart an airport in weather less than VMC. Following further study, the FAA has determined that any of them are appropriate and safe for helicopter ambulance operations. Comments on the NPRM are due by May 10.