HUGHES 500 - If the H/V curve appears in the limitations sections of the RFM (and it does not for all types) it is a limitation. Aircraft are issued with a CofA. It states on the CofA that the aircraft shall be operated IAW the limitations in the RFM. I did not make the rules I just follow them when I am required to do so OR indeed, not alleviated from them.
I have not been involved in HEMS since 1996 so I am not up to speed with current operations - however, In my time we had alleviations from RoA Rule 5(1)(b), which enabled us to operate at a height and speed that did not provide for a safe forced landing without the possibility of endangering persons and/or property on the ground.
I do not agree at all that we should be allowed to operate inside the H/V avoid curve for any passenger operations. If the H/V chart is in the limitations section of the RFM, without a suitable alleviation, it must be adhered to for all operations regardless. If the manufacturer has decreed that the H/V curve prohibvited area is likley to cause me harm WHY would I ever want to deliberatley put myself in it without a very compelling reason to do so???
CRAB - The Air France accident you refer to, in my opinion, based solely on watching the ACI TV programme, would seem to be the result of poor interpretation of the Flight Instruments AND failure to adopt a sensible aircraft attitude and power setting for stable cruise flight during a malfunction of the ASI indication. TRAINING, TRAINING, TRAINING - in my opinion!!
It is unsettling that the pair of you seem so keen to leap down the throat of anyone who expresses a desire to follow the rules. What message are you trying to send. Is it:
(a) You do not like rules
(b) You do not follow rules
(c) You think there is no need for rules
(d) You know better!!
I follow the rules as best as I can. I have not come across a rule that caused me too much grief to comply with OR that I though was unnecessary. I am struggling to understand why you would not do the same.