SPA.HEMS.125 Performance requirements for HEMS operations

(a)     Performance class 3 operations over a hostile environment shall only be conducted provided one of the following conditions are met:

(1)     The HEMS operating site used for take-off, landing or HEMS HEC operations is located above 7000-ft altitude and the helicopter is certified as Category A or equivalent, as determined by the Agency;

(2)     The planned HEMS operation does not require the transportation of medical personnel, medical supplies or ill or injured persons, and either the helicopter is certified as Category A or equivalent, as determined by the Agency, or all the following conditions are met:

(i)      the helicopter is equipped with crash-resistant fuel systems;

(ii)     the helicopter is equipped with a safety belt with upper torso restraint system for use on each passenger seat for each passenger aged 24 months or more;

(iii)     the altitude of at least one of the HEMS operating sites used during the HEMS operation is not lower than 3 000 ft;

(iv)     the operator has been granted an approval by the competent authority in accordance with point CAT.POL.H.420 of Annex IV;

(3)     At least one HEMS operating site used for take-off, landing or HEMS HEC operations during the HEMS operation is located at or above 8 000-ft altitude and all the following conditions are met:

(i)      the helicopter is equipped with crash-resistant fuel systems;

(ii)     the helicopter is equipped with a safety belt with upper torso restraint system for use on each passenger seat for each passenger aged 24 months or more;

(iii)     a helicopter certified as Category A or equivalent, as determined by the Agency, is not available or not suitable for the operation due to either of the following reasons:

(A)     insufficient performance margins to operate at the HEMS operating site, or no capability to conduct HEMS HEC operations, if applicable;

(B)     helicopters certified as Category A or equivalent, as determined by the Agency, and that might otherwise be dispatched, are on a HEMS mission or not yet ready for the next mission, leading to a delay in the intervention incompatible with the emergency;

(iv)     the operator has established a procedure to achieve compliance with point (iii);

(v)      the operator has been granted an approval by the competent authority in accordance with point CAT.POL.H.420 of Annex IV;

(vi)     the operator shall record all missions flown with a helicopter that is not certified as Category A or equivalent, as determined by the Agency.

(b)     By way of derogation from point CAT.POL.H.400(d)(2) of Annex IV, if the criteria of point (a)(1) are met, then helicopter night operations may be conducted in performance class 3.

(c)      Take-off and landing

(1)     Helicopters that conduct operations to or from a final approach and take-off area (FATO) at a hospital that is located in a congested hostile environment and that is used as a HEMS operating base shall be operated in accordance with performance class 1.

(2)     Helicopters that conduct operations to or from a FATO at a hospital that is located in a congested hostile environment and that is not a HEMS operating base shall be operated in accordance with performance class 1 except when the operator holds an approval in accordance with point CAT.POL.H.225.

(3)     Helicopters that conduct operations to or from a HEMS operating site located in a hostile environment shall be:

(i)      operated in accordance with performance class 2, or if the conditions defined in point (a) are met, in performance class 3;

(ii)     exempt from the approval required by point CAT.POL.H.305(a) of Annex IV, provided compliance is shown with point CAT.POL.H.305(b)(2) and (b)(3) of Annex IV.

(4)     The HEMS operating site features shall provide adequate clearance from all obstructions, and shall provide for safe operations. For night operations, the helicopter lighting system shall adequately illuminate the landing site and surrounding obstacles.

[for HEMS operations covered by point (61)(a) of Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012

applicable from 25 May 2024 — Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1020

for HEMS operations covered by point (61)(b) of Annex I to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012

applicable from 25 May 2028 — Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1020]