Due to their different operational characteristics to fixed-wing aircraft, especially their lower speed and vulnerability to bad weather, rotorcraft operations inside controlled airspace and terminal manoeuvring areas (TMA) are often limited to visual flight rules (VFR) flights in visual meteorological conditions (VMC). Flights under instrument flight rules (IFR) are often severely constrained or even prohibited altogether. The introduction of IFR procedures specifically designed for rotorcraft enables their safe integration into controlled airspace without adversely affecting existing fixed-wing operations.

SJU references: #113/Release 5