From my info - crew was IFR qualified and current - and a flight plan filed. I believe the SIC "500 hr" item is a reference his multi-time and he had recently upgraded to left seat so I do not know hours in type.
The only possible VFR mediums that come to mind, maybe the EMS 412's on the east coast - but I believe there were other issues why they weren't IFR (?)
W1