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AMC1 SPA.HEMS.120(a) HEMS operating minima
Available versions for ERULES-1963177438-21108
ED Decision 2023/007/R
found in: Air Operations (965/2012) Part-ARO Part-ORO Part-CAT Part-SPA Part-NCC Part-NCO Part-SPO (Feb 2025)
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AMC1 SPA.HEMS.120(a) HEMS operating minima ED Decision 2023/007/R HEMS VFR MINIMA: CEILING, CLOUD BASE AND VISIBILITY (a) The operator should define minimum ceiling, cloud base and visibility no lower than those defined in Table 1. ***Table 1 — HEMS operating minima*** <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="614"><tr><td colspan="4" valign="top" width="614"><p><b>DAY</b></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="309"><p><b>Ceiling </b></p></td><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="305"><p><b>Visibility</b></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="309"><p>500 ft and above</p></td><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="305"><p>As defined by the applicable airspace VFR minima (*)</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="309"><p>499–300 ft</p></td><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="305"><p>1 500 m (*)</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" valign="top" width="614"><p><b>NIGHT</b></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="309"><p><b>NVIS</b></p></td><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="305"><p><b>No NVIS</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="155"><p>Cloud base (***)</p></td><td valign="top" width="154"><p>Visibility</p></td><td valign="top" width="155"><p>Cloud base(***)</p></td><td valign="top" width="150"><p>Visibility</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="155"><p>1 200 ft (**)</p></td><td valign="top" width="154"><p>3 000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="155"><p>1 200 ft (**)</p></td><td valign="top" width="150"><p>5 000 m</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="155"></td><td valign="top" width="154"></td><td valign="top" width="155"><p>1 500 ft (**)</p></td><td valign="top" width="150"><p>3 000 m</p></td></tr></table> (\*) During the en-route phase, visibility may be reduced to 800 m for short periods when in sight of land if the helicopter is manoeuvred at a speed that will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid a collision. (\*\*) During the en-route phase, ceiling or cloud base may be reduced to 1 000 ft for short periods. (\*\*\*) For the dispatch phase, ceiling can be used instead of cloud base if the clouds below the ceiling are not relevant to the planned flight path. REDUCED VFR MINIMA TO BE USED WHEN INSTRUCTED TO ‘PROCEED VFR’ (b) The operator may define lower HEMS operating minima than those defined in Table 1 above, when an IFR departure or approach chart instructs the pilot to ‘proceed VFR’ prior to an IFR departure or following an IFR approach procedure, both for day and night. If the corresponding HEMS operating minima for the VFR segment of this flight are lower than those defined in Table 1, they should not be lower than those defined in Tables 2 and 3 below. The applicable minima should be published in the operations manual. ***Table 2 — Reduced HEMS operating minima when instructed to ‘proceed VFR’ following an IFR approach*** <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="613"><tr><td colspan="3" valign="top" width="613"><p><b>DAY</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205"><p></p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p><b>Visibility</b></p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p><b>Ceiling</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205"><p>x ≤ 1 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>x but at least 800 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>MDH</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205"><p>x > 1 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>1 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>MDH or 300 ft (*)</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" valign="top" width="613"><p><b>NIGHT</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205"></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p><b>Visibility</b></p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p><b>Ceiling</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205"><p>x < 2 000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>x + 500 m but at least 1 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>MDH</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205"><p>with NVIS: 2 000 ≤ x < 5 000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>2 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>MDH or 400 ft (*)</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205"><p>no NVIS: 2 000 ≤ x < 5000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>x+500 or 3 000 m</p><p>whichever is lower</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>MDH or 500 ft (*)</p></td></tr></table> x is the distance between the missed approach point (MAPt) and the heliport or operating site (\*) whichever is higher ***Table 3 — Reduced HEMS operating minima when instructed to ‘proceed VFR’ prior to an IFR departure*** <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="613"><tr><td colspan="3" valign="top" width="613"><p><b>DAY</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="207"></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p><b>Visibility</b></p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p><b>Crossing height at IDF</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="207"><p>x ≤ 3000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>800 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>Crossing height at IDF</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="207"><p>3 000 m < x ≤ 5 000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>1 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>Crossing height at IDF</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" valign="top" width="613"><p><b>NIGHT</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="207"></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p><b>Visibility</b></p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p><b>Ceiling</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="207"><p>x < 2 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>x but at least 1 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>Crossing height at IDF</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="207"><p>with NVIS: 2 500 ≤ x < 5 000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>2 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>Crossing height at IDF</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="207"><p>no NVIS: 2 500 ≤ x < 5 000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>x or 3 000 m</p><p>whichever is lower</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>Crossing height at IDF</p></td></tr></table> x is the distance between the heliport or operating site and the initial departure fix (IDF) HEMS VFR OPERATING MINIMA: VERTICAL DISTANCE TO OBSTACLES (c) When operating VFR in HEMS below minimum flight altitudes prescribed by the rules of the air or with visibility lower than prescribed in the rules of the air, the operator should define in the operations manual: (1) the minimum safe cruising height(s) for the area(s) overflown, the minimum distance to obstacles and, when necessary, the appropriate maximum helicopter speed(s); (2) the minimum safe height (safety height) over relevant obstacles in the flight path during the cruise phase for VFR operations, which should not be less than 200 ft during the day and 500 ft during the night.
AMC1 SPA.HEMS.120(a) HEMS operating minima ED Decision 2023/007/R HEMS VFR MINIMA: CEILING, CLOUD BASE AND VISIBILITY (a) The operator should define minimum ceiling, cloud base and visibility no lower than those defined in Table 1. ***Table 1 — HEMS operating minima*** <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="614"><tr><td colspan="4" valign="top" width="614"><p><b>DAY</b></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="309"><p><b>Ceiling </b></p></td><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="305"><p><b>Visibility</b></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="309"><p>500 ft and above</p></td><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="305"><p>As defined by the applicable airspace VFR minima (*)</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="309"><p>499–300 ft</p></td><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="305"><p>1 500 m (*)</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" valign="top" width="614"><p><b>NIGHT</b></p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="309"><p><b>NVIS</b></p></td><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="305"><p><b>No NVIS</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="155"><p>Cloud base (***)</p></td><td valign="top" width="154"><p>Visibility</p></td><td valign="top" width="155"><p>Cloud base(***)</p></td><td valign="top" width="150"><p>Visibility</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="155"><p>1 200 ft (**)</p></td><td valign="top" width="154"><p>3 000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="155"><p>1 200 ft (**)</p></td><td valign="top" width="150"><p>5 000 m</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="155"></td><td valign="top" width="154"></td><td valign="top" width="155"><p>1 500 ft (**)</p></td><td valign="top" width="150"><p>3 000 m</p></td></tr></table> (\*) During the en-route phase, visibility may be reduced to 800 m for short periods when in sight of land if the helicopter is manoeuvred at a speed that will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid a collision. (\*\*) During the en-route phase, ceiling or cloud base may be reduced to 1 000 ft for short periods. (\*\*\*) For the dispatch phase, ceiling can be used instead of cloud base if the clouds below the ceiling are not relevant to the planned flight path. REDUCED VFR MINIMA TO BE USED WHEN INSTRUCTED TO ‘PROCEED VFR’ (b) The operator may define lower HEMS operating minima than those defined in Table 1 above, when an IFR departure or approach chart instructs the pilot to ‘proceed VFR’ prior to an IFR departure or following an IFR approach procedure, both for day and night. If the corresponding HEMS operating minima for the VFR segment of this flight are lower than those defined in Table 1, they should not be lower than those defined in Tables 2 and 3 below. The applicable minima should be published in the operations manual. ***Table 2 — Reduced HEMS operating minima when instructed to ‘proceed VFR’ following an IFR approach*** <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="613"><tr><td colspan="3" valign="top" width="613"><p><b>DAY</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205"><p></p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p><b>Visibility</b></p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p><b>Ceiling</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205"><p>x ≤ 1 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>x but at least 800 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>MDH</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205"><p>x > 1 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>1 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>MDH or 300 ft (*)</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" valign="top" width="613"><p><b>NIGHT</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205"></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p><b>Visibility</b></p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p><b>Ceiling</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205"><p>x < 2 000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>x + 500 m but at least 1 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>MDH</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205"><p>with NVIS: 2 000 ≤ x < 5 000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>2 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>MDH or 400 ft (*)</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="205"><p>no NVIS: 2 000 ≤ x < 5000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>x+500 or 3 000 m</p><p>whichever is lower</p></td><td valign="top" width="204"><p>MDH or 500 ft (*)</p></td></tr></table> x is the distance between the missed approach point (MAPt) and the heliport or operating site (\*) whichever is higher ***Table 3 — Reduced HEMS operating minima when instructed to ‘proceed VFR’ prior to an IFR departure*** <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="613"><tr><td colspan="3" valign="top" width="613"><p><b>DAY</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="207"></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p><b>Visibility</b></p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p><b>Crossing height at IDF</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="207"><p>x ≤ 3000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>800 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>Crossing height at IDF</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="207"><p>3 000 m < x ≤ 5 000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>1 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>Crossing height at IDF</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="3" valign="top" width="613"><p><b>NIGHT</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="207"></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p><b>Visibility</b></p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p><b>Ceiling</b></p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="207"><p>x < 2 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>x but at least 1 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>Crossing height at IDF</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="207"><p>with NVIS: 2 500 ≤ x < 5 000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>2 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>Crossing height at IDF</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="207"><p>no NVIS: 2 500 ≤ x < 5 000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>x or 3 000 m</p><p>whichever is lower</p></td><td valign="top" width="203"><p>Crossing height at IDF</p></td></tr></table> x is the distance between the heliport or operating site and the initial departure fix (IDF) HEMS VFR OPERATING MINIMA: VERTICAL DISTANCE TO OBSTACLES (c) When operating VFR in HEMS below minimum flight altitudes prescribed by the rules of the air or with visibility lower than prescribed in the rules of the air, the operator should define in the operations manual: (1) the minimum safe cruising height(s) for the area(s) overflown, the minimum distance to obstacles and, when necessary, the appropriate maximum helicopter speed(s); (2) the minimum safe height (safety height) over relevant obstacles in the flight path during the cruise phase for VFR operations, which should not be less than 200 ft during the day and 500 ft during the night. *[applicable from 25 May 2024 — ED Decision 2023/007/R]*
##### AMC1 SPA.HEMS.120(a) HEMS operating minima *ED Decision 2023/007/R* **HEMS VFR MINIMA: CEILING, CLOUD BASE AND VISIBILITY** (a) The operator should define minimum ceiling, cloud base and visibility no lower than those defined in Table 1. ***Table 1 — HEMS operating minima*** <table cellpadding="7" cellspacing="0"> <col/> <col/> <col/> <col/> <tr> <td bgcolor="#808080" colspan="4" valign="top"><p align="center"> <b>DAY</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9" colspan="2"><p align="center"> <b>Ceiling </b> </p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9" colspan="2"><p align="center"> <b>Visibility</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9" colspan="2"><p align="center"> 500 ft and above</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9" colspan="2"><p align="center"> As defined by the applicable airspace VFR minima (*)</p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9" colspan="2"><p align="center"> 499–300 ft</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9" colspan="2"><p align="center"> 1 500 m (*)</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#808080" colspan="4" valign="top"><p align="center"> <b>NIGHT</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9" colspan="2"><p align="center"> <b>NVIS</b></p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9" colspan="2"><p align="center"> <b>No NVIS</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> Cloud base (***)</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> Visibility</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> Cloud base(***)</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> Visibility</p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> 1 200 ft (**)</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> 3 000 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> 1 200 ft (**)</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> 5 000 m</p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> <br/> </p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> <br/> </p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> 1 500 ft (**)</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> 3 000 m</p> </td> </tr> </table> (\*) During the en-route phase, visibility may be reduced to 800 m for short periods when in sight of land if the helicopter is manoeuvred at a speed that will give adequate opportunity to observe other traffic or any obstacles in time to avoid a collision. (\*\*) During the en-route phase, ceiling or cloud base may be reduced to 1 000 ft for short periods. (\*\*\*) For the dispatch phase, ceiling can be used instead of cloud base if the clouds below the ceiling are not relevant to the planned flight path. **REDUCED VFR MINIMA TO BE USED WHEN INSTRUCTED TO ‘PROCEED VFR’** (b) The operator may define lower HEMS operating minima than those defined in Table 1 above, when an IFR departure or approach chart instructs the pilot to ‘proceed VFR’ prior to an IFR departure or following an IFR approach procedure, both for day and night. If the corresponding HEMS operating minima for the VFR segment of this flight are lower than those defined in Table 1, they should not be lower than those defined in Tables 2 and 3 below. The applicable minima should be published in the operations manual. ***Table 2 — Reduced HEMS operating minima when instructed to ‘proceed VFR’ following an IFR approach*** <table cellpadding="7" cellspacing="0"> <col/> <col/> <col/> <tr> <td bgcolor="#808080" colspan="3" valign="top"><p align="center"> <b>DAY</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> <br/> </p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> <b>Visibility</b></p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> <b>Ceiling</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> x ≤ 1 500 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> x but at least 800 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> MDH</p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> x > 1 500 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> 1 500 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> MDH or 300 ft (*)</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#808080" colspan="3" valign="top"><p align="center"> <b>NIGHT</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> <br/> </p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> <b>Visibility</b></p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> <b>Ceiling</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> x < 2 000 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> x + 500 m but at least 1 500 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> MDH</p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> with NVIS: 2 000 ≤ x < 5 000 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> 2 500 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> MDH or 400 ft (*)</p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> no NVIS: 2 000 ≤ x < 5000 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> x+500 or 3 000 m</p> <p align="center">whichever is lower</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> MDH or 500 ft (*)</p> </td> </tr> </table> x is the distance between the missed approach point (MAPt) and the heliport or operating site (\*) whichever is higher ***Table 3 — Reduced HEMS operating minima when instructed to ‘proceed VFR’ prior to an IFR departure*** <table cellpadding="7" cellspacing="0"> <col/> <col/> <col/> <tr> <td bgcolor="#808080" colspan="3" valign="top"><p align="center"> <b>DAY</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> <br/> </p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> <b>Visibility</b></p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> <b>Crossing height at IDF</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> x ≤ 3000 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> 800 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> Crossing height at IDF</p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> 3 000 m < x ≤ 5 000 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> 1 500 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> Crossing height at IDF</p> </td> </tr> <tr> <td bgcolor="#808080" colspan="3" valign="top"><p align="center"> <b>NIGHT</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> <br/> </p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> <b>Visibility</b></p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> <b>Ceiling</b></p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> x < 2 500 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> x but at least 1 500 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> Crossing height at IDF</p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> with NVIS: 2 500 ≤ x < 5 000 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> 2 500 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> Crossing height at IDF</p> </td> </tr> <tr valign="top"> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> no NVIS: 2 500 ≤ x < 5 000 m</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> x or 3 000 m</p> <p align="center">whichever is lower</p> </td> <td bgcolor="#d9d9d9"><p align="center"> Crossing height at IDF</p> </td> </tr> </table> x is the distance between the heliport or operating site and the initial departure fix (IDF) **HEMS VFR OPERATING MINIMA: VERTICAL DISTANCE TO OBSTACLES** (c) When operating VFR in HEMS below minimum flight altitudes prescribed by the rules of the air or with visibility lower than prescribed in the rules of the air, the operator should define in the operations manual: (1) the minimum safe cruising height(s) for the area(s) overflown, the minimum distance to obstacles and, when necessary, the appropriate maximum helicopter speed(s); (2) the minimum safe height (safety height) over relevant obstacles in the flight path during the cruise phase for VFR operations, which should not be less than 200 ft during the day and 500 ft during the night.