Guys
Thanks for all the detailed replies....this place is like a university sometimes
...er, that should have been FEW007 at EGLL, sorry(!)
Aviation is full of these cases of where the risk is not quite what it first appears (in both senses).
My question really comes from the risk reduction behaviour we're taught as PPL(A)'s. Even more for IMCR, where one major consideration for emergency contingency is the fact of what a low cloudbase does for diversion / engine out options.
Clearly, the experience and skill level, plus the equipment on board, is vastly superior to a PPL(A or H) - who without an IR should not be airborne on a day like today - but is there not a risk from forcing these helis to effectively scud-run to remain VFR in the 500-900'AGL height range?
Even despite being M/E and the other mitigating factors in crew skill levels, does not 500'AGL (let's say...) when marginal like today, not give long to get to one of those PFL bolt-holes....!?
BFA