Navigation
VFR navigation skills for helicopter pilots — reading sectional charts, understanding airspace, computing weather minimums, applying the helicopter-specific operating rules, planning a real cross-country, and using GPS as a tool (not a crutch). Each topic below has its own deep-dive page with FAA references, eCFR hyperlinks, and operational decision frameworks.
Charts & airspace
Sectional Charts
1:500,000 scale, 56-day currency, MEFs and contours, airport symbology, isogonic lines and magnetic variation, airspace depiction at a glance.
Airspace Classes
Class A through G — entry rules, equipment, speed limits, ADS-B Out / Mode C veil, helicopter exceptions in Class G.
Rules & minimums
VFR Weather Minimums
§ 91.155 minimums by class with the helicopter exception, plus § 91.157 Special VFR including the helicopter night exemption.
Helicopter Operating Rules
§ 91.119 minimum altitudes, § 91.126 traffic patterns ("avoid the flow"), § 91.151 fuel reserves (20 min day or night), § 91.113 right of way.
Planning & tools
Flight Planning
True → magnetic → compass course chain, wind correction with E6B, fuel math, briefings and flight plans, pilotage / dead reckoning, the 5 Cs lost procedure.
GPS & Modern Nav
Panel-mount vs portable, WAAS & RAIM, ADS-B In FIS-B weather and the NEXRAD age trap, ForeFlight workflow, helicopter route charts, how not to become GPS-dependent.