SPA.HEMS.130 Crew requirements

SI 2022 No. 1235

(a) Selection. The operator shall establish criteria for the selection of flight crew members for the HEMS task, taking previous experience into account.

(b) Experience. The minimum experience level for the commander conducting HEMS flights shall not be less than:

(1) either:

(i) 1000 hours as pilot-in-command/commander of aircraft of which 500 hours are as pilot-in-command/commander on helicopters; or

(ii) 1000 hours as co-pilot in HEMS operations of which 500 hours are as pilot-in-command under supervision and 100 hours pilot-in-command/commander of helicopters;

(2) 500 hours’ operating experience in helicopters, gained in an operational environment similar to the intended operation; and

(3) for pilots engaged in night operations, 20 hours of VMC at night as pilot-in-command/commander.

(c) Operational training. Successful completion of operational training in accordance with the HEMS procedures contained in the operations manual.

(d) Recency. All pilots conducting HEMS operations shall have completed a minimum of 30 minutes’ flight by sole reference to instruments in a helicopter or in an FSTD within the last six months.

(e) Crew composition

(1) Day flight. The minimum crew by day shall be one pilot and one HEMS technical crew member.

(i) This may be reduced to one pilot only when:

(A) at a HEMS operating site the commander is required to fetch additional medical supplies. In such case the HEMS technical crew member may be left to give assistance to ill or injured persons while the commander undertakes this flight;

(B) after arriving at the HEMS operating site, the installation of the stretcher precludes the HEMS technical crew member from occupying the front seat; or

(ii) In the cases described in (i), the operational minima shall be as defined by the applicable airspace requirements; the HEMS operating minima contained in Table 1 of SPA.HEMS.120 shall not be used.

(iii) Only in the case described in (i)(A) may the commander land at a HEMS operating site without the technical crew member assisting from the front seat.

(2) Night flight . The minimum crew by night shall be:

(i) two pilots; or

(ii) one pilot holding a valid instrument rating in accordance with Regulation (EU) No. 1178/2011(1), Annex I, Part-FCL, Subpart G, FCL.625IR and a valid operator proficiency check in accordance with Annex III, Part-ORO, Subpart FC, ORO.FC.230(b) and one HEMS technical crew member in specific geographical areas defined by the operator in the operations manual taking into account the following:

(A) adequate ground reference;

(B) flight following system for the duration of the HEMS mission;

(D) HEMS minimum equipment list;

(E) continuity of a crew concept;

(F) minimum crew qualification, initial and recurrent training;

(G) operating procedures, including crew coordination;

(H) weather minima; and

(I) additional considerations due to specific local conditions.

(f) Crew training and checking

(1) Training and checking shall be conducted in accordance with a detailed syllabus approved by the CAA and included in the operations manual.

(2) Crew members

(i) Crew training programmes shall: improve knowledge of the HEMS working environment and equipment; improve crew coordination; and include measures to minimise the risks associated with en-route transit in low visibility conditions, selection of HEMS operating sites and approach and departure profiles.

(ii) The measures referred to in (f)(2)(i) shall be assessed during:

(A) VMC day proficiency checks, or VMC night proficiency checks when night HEMS operations are undertaken by the operator; and

(B) line checks.