The y-intercept of the graph, which is the point where the graph intersects the vertical axis (the vertical axis represents distance in miles), occurs at the point (0, 525). This means that at time 0 hours, the helicopter is 525 miles away from the airport.
Therefore, the correct description of the meaning of the y-intercept of the graph is:
C. The helicopter begins its journey 525 miles away from the airport.