I believe that the rules have been tightened yet another notch, thus the topic of this thread.
In Canada, my understanding is that Class1 (Cat A) performance helicopters may operate in 2 different categories and the regs for each are not the same.
As Shawn says you can operate with less than 9 passengers or more than 9 passengers.
If you operate with less than 9 you may enter the H/V chart for the purpose of your operation.....if you are operating with 9 or more you may not enter the H/V chart for any reason.
Therefore my question was if you are coming off a rig with 9+ passengers on board, as soon as you leave the deck with low airspeed you are now in the curve.