Originally Posted by
IflyIFR
Expediency would be the main factor. Flying IFR would have delayed departure and required additional routing. JMHO
Yes. And also, there were articles that interviewed several pilots at various helicopter charters in LA. They said none of the charters in the area are certified for IFR, because they don't need it. Usually the weather is good, and certification costs more. In the rare case the weather is bad, they just don't fly.