Leading Edge writes: "require instrument ratings but NOT so that pilots can knowingly fly into bad weather."
Therin lies the Sticky Wicket... coupled with the push for the almighty dollar. Pilots who know they will be in deep doo-doo if the mission is not accomplished , sometimes think that instrument ticket will save their ass. Those squall lines will kick an Airplane Drivers butt, you can imagine what it will do to a Helicopter.
Its nice to fallback on Company SOP and Policy that says you shall not do this or that, BUT talk to a Gomer once in a while over a beer and you will hear some Weather stories that would make an Alaskan Pilot cringe.....
All for that almighty dollar.....
Latest news on this situation does not look good. Very Sad, whos next.....