Flying a Helicopter into the Clouds - First Time - EC135 - Medevac - IFR / IMC / HEMS

As always, a big thank you to PHI for allowing me the opportunity share my aviation journey. Also a big thank you to Potomac Approach and my medical crews for putting up with me! :)

It has been a career long dream to be able to fly IFR in a helicopter. I had always thought I would have to join the military to have this opportunity. A year ago the Front Royal, VA AirCare4 base transitioned to from the Bell 407 to the EC135 helicopter. This past November I went to Texas and spent 3 weeks at Flight Safety International, attending their single pilot IFR course for the EC135 helicopter. Upon completion of the SPIFR course it was to cold to fly in the clouds (below freezing = icing) to enjoy my new training.

I have a license to learn. I will be the first to tell you that I have much to learn, especially in the IFR world of aviation. My flight wasn't perfect by any means but hopefully you will learn from my experience.

Next time I will do better.

May we all never stop learning how to do things better and safer! Fly Safe!

Chapters:
0:00 Startup
1:05 Avionic setup
1:45 IFR Clearance
3:02 Departure from KFRR
4:23 Entering clouds for first time
6:50 Cleared for hospital PINS approach
7:08 IAP briefing
8:35 Breaking out of clouds for Hospital
9:05 Going missed
9:55 Starting IAP for OKV ILS 32
12:15 Break out of clouds to OKV

Equipment Used:
- GoPro Max / GoPro Hero 9 / GoPro Hero 3
- Homemade audio adapter cable

[Nates]

Would love to see some videos responding to a scene call and then flying to the hospital. Of course with patient privacy in mind

[Mayhem]

Thank you guys so much for waving at my little boy right after getting fuel in Luray Airport it means so much

[Blackcloud_Garage]

As a career long single engine, VFR scout pilot I salute you guys that can do that. In the 58D we practiced RNAV & GCA approach’s as an emergency procedure. Bravo sir, 👏

[BKDude]

Hi this is Johannes, I was with your student Marco one of the two Germans in your flight back in 2012 at Rucker, you did my first checkride. Maybe you remember. Been following you for a long time and it’s so nice to see you in the EMS and IFR world. I quit the forces two years ago and fly the H145 for DRF Air Rescue VFR IFR NVIS now. So great seeing you in the same aviation world, really enjoyed this trip!

[patrickyoung]

Well, this old retired IP/IE really enjoyed this video and thanks for taking me along for the flight!

[ZionCapital-OF]

Hello Michael, congrats for your vídeos. I’m Helicopter pilot brazilian Flying over Amazon forest, 15years experience. Sometimes we have bad constitui a to fly, but without necessary resource it’s better waiting for. Good flights, ever!!!

[etarheel]

Good to see you bro, I was the comm spec you met at duke. Glad to know you are doing well. Stay safe up there!

[alan.macrae]

Nice flying, Michael! Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

[lyonanddebanderson]

I'm an old USAF PJ door gunner on Hueys, This was a great video thank you sir for this, I love the tech in new helos-amazing.

[briansims]

Nice day for shooting approaches, great content

[stealhty]

Excellent Work, , these are the kind of Captains Kobi Brian was in need

[stevebrown]

Thank you for sharing such valuable content! I wanted to reach out and let you know that I would be interested in seeing more IFR videos, especially ones that cover point in space helicopter instrument approaches. It would be great to learn more about this aspect of helicopter operations.

Keep up the great work, and I look forward to watching more of your videos in the future.

[andrewbello]

Breaking out just above minimums, great job! Gotta love autopilot! Yall were definitely in the soup! Fly safe brother.

[wiley]

Awesome crew resource management. Using the crew to identify the ground as well as checklist and notes and making a clear and concise decision that you are going to land as opposed to any deviation.
Fly safe, but more importantly, fly, smart !

[tundramanq]

Thanks! Answered my question about getting a chopper down in IFR. Act like a fixed wing using glide slope aids and never hover until you are in VFR. Neato!

[ciaranhanvey]

You guys Rock! Serious concentration required... Kudos!

[mayanina]

Absolutely love this channel !!! Thanks for sharing 👍🏼

[AviationDirection]

I fly airplanes and not helicopters, but appreciate you providing this perspective of Med Evac ops! Thanks for all you do!

[skittnic]

Hi Michael.
I am a VFR utility pilot in Canada and i have to say that the flying bit in the white makes me very uneasy... better you than me brother! Hahaha
That being said, you make it look fun and almost makes me want to get my IFR ticket...almost. Thanks for Sharing!

[jjsemperfi]

Very cool. That's was definitely a very soupy flight. Surprised you didn't wait for a layer day where you could pop through a layer and back down. Regardless, you did an amazing job. I've been in the 135 with my company for a year now (doing recurrent at Flight Safety as I type this) and I've been really enjoying it. My company doesn't allow us to film so it's pretty amazing that PHI let you do this. Great to see an actual IFR flight from a HEMS perspective. Not something the public gets to see much of. Fly safe and take care.