Original Message

What are the acceptable limits for wind and wind sheer during helicopter air ambulance flights in America. Is there a gust limit or spread noted or does it depend on how much the crew of the day can handle?

For some reason, 40 kts and 15 gusts stick in memory. A lot depends on where you're going- I recall trying to land on a level one rooftop pad with clear overhangs on 2 sides and solid structure on the other two. The wind was 30 knots but from the sides with stuctures above the pad. It was too turbulent on the pad to land, so I went across the street to a surface pad where ground transport met us.

16 years offshore, lots of operations in higher winds, that was a surprise.