Helicopter Landing, Special VFR, at Hillsboro (again)

For the second time in less than 2 months, I found myself flying from the Wenatchee, WA area to Hillsboro, OR for helicopter maintenance and landing in IFR conditions. In this video, there's plenty of visibility, but low ceilings at the airport.

At the start of this video, I've already listened to the ATIS but can't remember if it was Lima or Kilo (it was Lima) so I try to tune in again. The ATIS is offline. The video goes on from there with my initial (mangled) radio call and all radio communications until I touch down. I also narrate what's going on for the folks who might not know.

I wouldn't call this an exciting video, but it is interesting to anyone who is curious about what goes on in a helicopter cockpit when landing at a towered airport.

For those unfamiliar with some terms, here's a cheat sheet:

IFR = Instrument flight rules. You must have an instrument clearance and landing using an instrument procedure.

Special VFR = an exception that can be made by an airport controller to allow an aircraft to land in Visual Flight Rules when the airport is in IFR conditions.

ATIS = Automated Terminal Information System. This is a recorded announcement, generally updated hourly, that provides weather, runway, and other information at an airport. Most towered airports have ATIS recordings during normal operating hours.

Class Delta = one type of airspace controlled by a tower. A pilot cannot enter Class Delta airspace if she's told to remain clear.

Any other questions? Leave them in the comments and I'll try to answer them promptly. (No need to rib me for that radio call. I know it was bad. I don't talk to controllers all that often and every once in a while I trip over my tongue.)

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