Originally Posted by
tdracer
Is this fundamentally different in the rotorcraft world? Why wouldn't the pilot be instrument rated? Are instrument rated helicopter pilots relatively rare? TIA
In the US, yes, it is fundamentally different.
"§ 61.133 Commercial pilot privileges and limitations.
(b) Limitations.
(1) A person who applies for a commercial pilot certificate with an
airplane category or powered-lift category rating and does not hold an instrument rating in the same category and class will be issued a commercial pilot certificate that contains the limitation, “The carriage of passengers for hire in (airplanes) (powered-lifts) on cross-country flights in excess of 50 nautical miles or at night is prohibited.”
In Theory, you don't have to have an helicopter instrument rating to be a US commercial pilot.
IMO, the other detail would be the lack of single engine IFR approved helicopters. The AS350B3, EC130T2, Bell 407 are all Day Night VFR approved. I know, the newest 407 GXi can be IFR if the Bell STC is installed at Bell Piney Flats.
Most single engine airplanes are Day Night VFR IFR from the factory, even without an Autopilot