What visibility is required for helicopters operating below 1,200 feet AGL under day VFR?

For helicopters operating below 1,200 feet above ground level (AGL) during daytime under Visual Flight Rules (VFR), the visibility requirement is 0.5 statute miles (SM). This is because helicopters can operate under less strict visibility conditions compared to fixed-wing aircraft. The regulations recognize that helicopters often operate in congested areas or lower altitudes where direct visual reference is more accessible to the pilots.

The lower visibility requirement allows for increased operational flexibility, enabling helicopter flights to navigate safely in environments such as urban settings or near obstacles where they can maintain visual contact with the ground. This reflects the unique operational characteristics of helicopters, which can hover and maneuver in ways that fixed-wing aircraft cannot, thus allowing pilots to effectively utilize their visual skills even with reduced visibility.