Definition
A defined portion of certain helicopter instrument approach procedures that begins at the missed approach point (MAP) and extends to the landing area, during which the pilot must acquire and maintain visual contact with the heliport or landing environment to continue the approach. Obstacle clearance during this segment is not guaranteed by the procedure design; the pilot is responsible for visually avoiding obstructions while proceeding to the landing site.
Plain English
It is the final, see-and-avoid leg of certain helicopter instrument approaches. After breaking out of the clouds at the missed approach point, the pilot continues to the heliport by looking outside, judging the route visually, and staying clear of anything in the way.
Context Anchor
Seen on helicopter instrument approach charts serving VFR heliports, especially point-in-space approaches where the instrument procedure ends before the actual landing site.
Derivation
"Proceed visually" comes from the plain English instruction to continue (proceed) using the eyes (visually). The phrase was adopted by procedure designers to mark the point where the helicopter transitions from instrument-guided flight to pilot-judged visual flight to the landing area.
Why Pilots Care
Allows a safe, direct visual transition to landing once the heliport is in sight while still protecting the overall instrument procedure up to that point.
Grounding Statement
Picture reaching the charted point near the heliport, seeing the landing site and the route to it, then flying that last short part by sight instead of by instrument guidance.
Intuition Check
“Proceed visually” does not mean “keep going if it looks okay” or “fly any route you want.” It means continue only when the required visual conditions exist and follow the visual segment shown by the procedure.
Example Sentence 1
After reaching the missed approach point with the heliport in sight, the pilot began the proceed visually segment and maneuvered around a nearby antenna on the way to the pad.
Example Sentence 2
Once inside the proceed visually segment the helicopter turned directly toward the landing pad under visual conditions.