OPERATIONS SPECIFICATIONS

A flight operated under Part 135 has minimums and procedures more restrictive than a flight operated under Part 91. These Part 135 requirements are detailed in their operations specifications (OpsSpecs). Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) operators have even more restrictive OpsSpecs. Figure 7-5 on page 7-6 is an excerpt from an OpsSpecs detailing the minimums for precision approaches. The inlay in Figure 7-5 shows the minimums for the ILS Rwy 3R approach at Detroit Metro Airport. With all lighting operative, the minimums for helicopter Part 91 operations are a 200-foot ceiling, and 1200-feet runway visual range (RVR) (one-half airplane Category A visibility but no less than 1/4 SM/1200 RVR). However, as shown in the OpsSpecs, the minimum visibility this Part 135 operator must adhere to is 1600 RVR. Pilots operating under Part 91 are encouraged to develop their own personal OpsSpecs based on their own equipment, training, and experience.