[TalBlack]

Spatial disorientation, I know the feeling flying IFR. Without instruments flying is impossible. I figured that hillside came out of nowhere for that pilot.

[freeandfreezing]

What is surprising to me is that a helicopter pilot with over 8000 hours did not have even minimal IFR skills. I would think someone with that much interest in flying would have at least learned the minimum steps to get out of an unexpected IFR situation alive.

Particularly when that is a lot easier in a helicopter than an airplane. The helicopter he was flying seems like it would have been equipped with a full set of instruments suitable for IFR flight.

In my opinion every VFR pilot should have at least some training in how to survive an unexpected encounter with IFR conditions.