135.181 vs 135.211

[noslonlo]

Anyone care to compare and contrast these 2? I'm looking at these from a single engine point of view. It seems to me that they could or should be combined into one. The only difference I see is that 135.211 specifies VFR over the top and 135.181 says over the top or IFR. It also seems strange to me that 135.211 wants you to complete the flight with a clear of clouds transition to an instrument approach. If you're going to get a clearance for an instrument approach anyhow, why wouldn't you get an IFR clearance before the transition and not have to worry about staying clear of clouds? These 2 regs are driving me nuts.

Thank you.

 

[Andy Neill]

In the single-engine case from 135.181 I understand that you CAN conduct over the top VFR ONLY if weather is such below the ceiling that VFR flight is possible and is forecast to be so during flight +1 hr.

135.211 adds the restriction of being able to descend VFR engine out IF you are carrying passengers.

These two seem to make it REAL hard to justify single-engine over the top VFR while carrying passengers and I am certain that was the intent.

 

[noslonlo]

135.181 for single engine also requires VFR descent if the engine fails. This mkes it impossible to go on top of an overcast layer.