EAGLE III has been an  IFR (Instrument Flight Rules) program since receiving certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) in May of 2002.  In expectation of the receipt of this certification, the current EC-135 helicopter was specifically designed and built to be capable of IFR. It is fully equipped with a single pilot IFR instrument package that includes autopilot, color weather radar, and state-of-the-art navigation equipment.

IFR allows our pilots to fly safely into lower weather minimums, potentially increasing the number of EMS flights that can be completed. Before this certification, EAGLE III operations were prohibited to VFR (Visual Flight Rules).  VFR-only helicopters can only operate in weather conditions that allow the pilots to have visual contact with an outside reference, such as the ground, ground lights, or the horizon.  In IFR programs, the pilots fly only with reference to the aircraft’s instrumentation, similar to the operations of commercial airliners. IFR, however, will not allow flight within the vicinity of thunderstorms or into conditions that allow for ice to form on the aircraft during flight, as these conditions remain dangerous to any aircraft.

During certain times of the year and at certain hours of the day, VFR-only helicopter pilots are unable to complete a number of service requests because of limited visibility caused by weather conditions.  IFR helicopters, in contrast, allow pilots to fly in instrument meteorological conditions (IMC), which increases the ability to meet the service needs of our surrounding communities. Having IFR certification , on the average, allows the EC-135 aircraft to complete 25% of those flights that would otherwise have been turned down due to weather conditions near either the sending or receiving facility.

IFR flight also enhances the safety of the EAGLE III program.  Historical records from the National Transportation Safety Board show that the single leading cause of fatal EMS helicopter crashes is inadvertent flight into adverse weather conditions when on a VFR flight.  In an IFR aircraft, entry into these conditions would be a safe, planned, and normal occurrence, unlike the VFR-only aircraft. Our pilots have also undergone hundreds of hours of additional classroom and flight instruction from the FAA and North AirCare in Minneapolis, MN in preparation for this level of service. 

Weather minimums under VFR ranged from 800-1500 ft ceilings and two to five miles of visibility, based on whether it was day or night. Under IFR, we are authorized to depart with ½ mile visibility and landing criterion is based on the published instrument approach procedure at the airport that we are flying to.  Because only airports currently have the necessary equipment to land an IFR aircraft, EAGLE III will be flying airport to airport under IFR. This also means that we will be under constant radar control, which is not only safer but provides for positive aircraft separation. 

Although there remain a few conditions that continue to prohibit flight, area hospitals and EMS agencies are encouraged to call EAGLE III when they have a flight request.   IFR certification has given us more flexibility in flight planning and abilities than previously available.