PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - AW139 G-LBAL helicopter crash in Gillingham, Norfolk
Old 20th Oct 2015, 21:08
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Geoffers - I agree but perhaps there needs to be a clarification of what Vmini actually means.

It is sensible to have a minimum speed for cruise flight where the pitot system is accurate and the stability isn't an issue but to say that the aircraft CAN'T be flown on instruments safely to get to or from the hover is a nonsense. It isn't outside the flight envelope, simply below the figure in the RFM for flight on instruments.

I don't know what the criteria are for certification purposes or what has to be demonstrated or guaranteed when dictating Vmini but it does seem that the manufacturers have painted the pilots into a corner.
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