Definition
An instrument approach procedure that uses the instrument flight rules system to bring a helicopter from en route flight down to a point near a heliport that has no published instrument approach of its own, where the pilot then continues visually to land under visual flight rules. The procedure is flown to a missed approach point, after which the pilot must have the required visual references to proceed VFR to the destination heliport, or execute a missed approach.
Plain English
A way to fly an instrument approach toward a heliport that doesn't have its own published approach. You fly the instrument procedure to a nearby point, and once you're low enough to see the ground clearly, you finish the trip to the heliport by looking out the window.
Context Anchor
Seen on helicopter instrument procedure charts and in FAA helicopter instrument procedure discussions, especially where the landing site itself is not served by a full instrument path all the way to touchdown.
Derivation
Approach comes from an old French word meaning “to come nearer.” Heliport combines “helicopter” with “port,” meaning a place of arrival or departure. Together, the phrase points to a procedure that brings a helicopter near a particular landing place, but does not necessarily provide instrument guidance all the way to landing.
Why Pilots Care
Allows safe IFR arrivals at many heliports that have no IFR infrastructure, expanding usable landing options without requiring full instrument approach design at the site.
Grounding Statement
Picture flying on instruments to the last protected point, then needing enough outside view to safely guide the helicopter to the named heliport.
Intuition Check
Do not read “approach” here as just “getting closer.” In this context, it means a published flight procedure with required paths, altitudes, and instructions. Also, “VFR heliport” means the final part depends on visual flying conditions; it does not become an instrument landing just because the helicopter arrived on an instrument procedure.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot filed IFR to the nearby airport and planned an approach to a specific VFR heliport for the final leg to the hospital pad.
Example Sentence 2
An approach to a specific VFR heliport must be coordinated with ATC and meet the visibility requirements listed in the procedure.