Definition
A note printed on certain instrument approach charts indicating that the procedure may only be flown by aircrews who have received specific FAA-approved training and authorization, and by aircraft equipped and certified to meet additional requirements beyond standard instrument approach criteria. The note appears on procedures involving non-standard design elements, reduced obstacle clearance, special navigation performance, or unique operational considerations that require advance qualification.
Plain English
Not every pilot or aircraft is allowed to fly this approach. Both the crew and the aircraft must have extra training and approval beyond the normal instrument rating before this procedure can be used.
Context Anchor
Seen as a note on certain copter-only instrument approach procedures to an airport or heliport.
Why Pilots Care
The restriction protects safety by ensuring only properly prepared crews and aircraft attempt complex, low-altitude helicopter procedures that exceed normal IFR capabilities.
Grounding Statement
If this note is on the procedure, treat the approach as unavailable unless your crew and aircraft have the specific approval for it.
Intuition Check
Do not read “special” as meaning merely unusual or more advanced. Here it means extra approval is mandatory for both the aircrew and the aircraft.
Example Sentence 1
The copter ILS into the hospital heliport was marked Special Aircrew & Aircraft Certification Required, so the crew confirmed their operations specifications authorized the procedure before accepting the clearance.
Example Sentence 2
Because the chart showed Special Aircrew & Aircraft Certification Required, the standard IFR helicopter was not authorized to fly the approach to the heliport.