Definition
A helicopter-specific precision instrument approach that allows the pilot to descend to a decision height as low as 100 feet above the touchdown zone with a runway visual range as low as 1,200 feet, provided the helicopter, crew, and operator are specifically certified and equipped for Category II operations. The "Copter" prefix indicates that the procedure is designed for, and limited to, helicopters.
Plain English
A special low-visibility approach for helicopters that lets the pilot fly down to about 100 feet above the landing area in much poorer weather than a normal approach allows. The aircraft, the pilot, and the operator all have to be approved to use it.
Context Anchor
Seen in helicopter instrument procedures, approach minimums, and equipment requirements for low-visibility ILS operations.
Derivation
"Category" comes from the Latin categoria, meaning a class or grouping. The FAA divides precision approaches into Categories I, II, and III based on how low the weather minimums go. "Copter" is simply a shortened form of helicopter, used as a chart prefix to signal that this version of the procedure is restricted to rotorcraft.
Why Pilots Care
It provides helicopter crews with lower landing minima than standard Category II approaches, allowing safe completion of flights in weather conditions that would otherwise require a missed approach.
Intuition Check
Do not confuse CAT II with the normal aircraft approach categories based on speed. Here, CAT II means a specific low-visibility instrument approach standard, not simply “a helicopter category.”
Example Sentence 1
Because the operator held Copter CAT II authority, the crew was able to complete the approach with the ceiling at 150 feet and visibility at 1,400 feet RVR.
Example Sentence 2
With the reported RVR at 1,400 feet, the pilot elected to fly the CAT II Copter procedure rather than divert.