Definition
A helicopter instrument approach procedure that ends at a Point in Space (PinS) — a missed approach point defined by latitude and longitude rather than aligned with a runway or heliport. From this point, the pilot either proceeds visually to a nearby landing site or flies the missed approach. PinS approaches are designed specifically for helicopters and are flown to either 'Proceed VFR' or 'Proceed Visually' minima depending on the procedure.
Plain English
An instrument approach for helicopters that takes you down to a published point in the sky near your landing site. Once you reach that point, you either continue to the landing area by looking out the window, or you fly the missed approach if you can't see well enough.
Context Anchor
Seen on helicopter instrument procedure charts, especially when the landing site itself cannot support a standard instrument approach all the way to touchdown.
Derivation
PinS stands for 'Point in Space.' The name reflects that the approach ends at a defined geographic point in the air rather than at a specific runway or pad — a distinction that matters because helicopters often land at sites without their own instrument approach.
Why Pilots Care
Allows helicopters to conduct IFR arrivals to sites where a full instrument approach directly to the pad is not possible or practical.
Analogy
Think of it like using navigation to reach the entrance of a driveway, not the front door. The instrument procedure gets you to the safe entrance point; from there, you still need to see your way to the actual landing spot.
Intuition Check
Do not assume an Approach to a PinS takes the helicopter all the way to the landing pad by instruments. It takes the helicopter to a defined point nearby, where the pilot must either continue by sight or go missed.
Example Sentence 1
The crew briefed the PinS approach to the hospital helipad, noting the 'Proceed Visually' segment from the missed approach point to the landing site.
Example Sentence 2
Training included flying an approach to a PinS in the simulator to practice the visual segment transition.