Originally Posted by
Uplinker
Ah, OK.
A fixed wing aircraft would never normally fly below the MSA unless they were landing, or in an extreme emergency. (And there is one low flying lesson; where an instructor takes students down to 500' agl to give them an appreciation of the cues of very low flying).
If a VFR fixed wing flew into IMC, the drill is to maintain altitude and perform a 180° rate one turn and fly back out of it. You could descend - as long as you remain a safe height above the MSA; which takes high ground, and high features such as transmitter masts, into account.
...
A few things to consider.
1. The utility of most helicopters is in performing operations conducted VFR and below MSA.
2. Until recently in the US, helicopters could operate in class G airspace clear of clouds and “an airspeed to see and avoid.” Currently, the weather minimums are 1/2 mile visibility and remain clear of clouds.
3. Most small helicopters are inherently unstable. Leaving go of the controls will result in the aircraft departing controlled flight in seconds.