Definition
Instrument approach procedures designed and authorized exclusively for use by helicopters. These procedures take advantage of helicopter performance characteristics — slower approach speeds, steeper descent angles, and the ability to land in confined areas — and may serve an airport, a heliport, or a specific point in space. They are charted with a 'COPTER' prefix in the procedure title and may not be flown by fixed-wing aircraft.
Plain English
These are instrument approaches that only helicopters are allowed to fly. They are built around how helicopters actually perform, so the descent paths, speeds, and landing points are tailored to rotorcraft rather than airplanes.
Context Anchor
Seen on instrument approach charts for airports and heliports, especially when a helicopter is flying in weather that requires instrument guidance to reach the landing area.
Derivation
Copter' is a shortened form of 'helicopter,' which itself comes from the Greek 'helix' (spiral) and 'pteron' (wing). The FAA uses 'COPTER' as the chart prefix because it fits cleanly in procedure titles and signals immediately that the approach is rotorcraft-only.
Why Pilots Care
These procedures enable safe helicopter operations to airports and heliports in weather that would prevent fixed-wing approaches, expanding access and reducing weather-related delays or diversions.
Intuition Check
Do not read “Copter Only” as “recommended for helicopters.” It means the procedure is restricted to helicopters and was not designed for airplanes.
Example Sentence 1
The pilot briefed the COPTER ILS Rwy 6 approach, noting it was a Copter Only procedure with a maximum approach speed of 90 knots.
Example Sentence 2
ATC cleared the helicopter for the Copter Only Approach while other arriving aircraft were told to expect a missed approach due to low visibility.