I am a low hour fixed-wing (private) pilot and have never flown a helicopter or in the London LFA....however if you are flying (a helicopter) in the London CTR and are unable to maintain sight of the surface or the required 1,000m in-flight visibility, would the correct course of action be to immediately declare an emergency and climb to a safe altitude (MSA albeit in IMC)? Or if you were in sight of the surface (and presumably a suitable landing location), would you not try to put it down - even landing on the water if necessary?
Looking at the television footage the ceiling (at the location of the crane at least) looks about 400-500ft (not the 600ft required for helicopters inbound to LGLW) - of course I realize things can happen very quickly and hind-sight is 20-20!
Last edited by awqward; 16th Jan 2013 at 14:37.