GM1 SPA.HEMS.130(g)(1) Crew requirements

BEST PRACTICES FOR FLIGHT CREW MEMBERS ABOVE THE AGE OF 60 PERFORMING SINGLE-PILOT HEMS OPERATIONS

Several studies have found that, in general, the frequent exposure of working population to long working hours (≥55 hours per week), frequent overtime work (3‑4 hours overtime) or shift work is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) — including of fatal and non-fatal coronary heart disease (CHD) and atrial fibrillation — and cerebrovascular disease such as stroke.

In the context of the association of long work hours, overtime work and shift work with an increased CVD risk, some authors recommend for general population countermeasures such as a limit of operation time to 40 hrs/week and working time up to 10 hours within 24 hours (Virtanen et al., 2018). Although such operational limitations might be considered to apply for pilots from the age of 60 onwards, it is not clear, due to lack of dedicated studies, how that will affect the cumulative CVD risk after numerous years of exposure to long and irregular working hours before their 60th birthday. However, by limiting the working hours the risk for CVD and cerebrovascular disease will not be further increased due to fatigue and, with time passing, this risk is expected to gradually reduce. A working hour limitation could also lead to a reduction in fatigue and an increase in the recovery of older pilots.

With regard to the above-mentioned considerations, it should be emphasised that sufficient sleep of good quality is the key factor in preventing fatigue and maintaining optimal performance and good health. Ideally, a pilot should have a continuous 8-hour sleep opportunity per 24 hours. Sleep should be facilitated in a dark and quiet environment allowing horizontal rest. Where the ideal 8‑hour continuous rest is not possible due to operational constrains, the operator could consider additional mitigating measures within their FRMS/SMS. The operators should also give proper consideration to the period of the day when this rest period is scheduled in relation to the circadian rhythm of the flight crew members.

Operators could consider implementing an FRMS tailored to the specific operational demands of the company. Pilots and managers should be educated to stimulate awareness of the safety implications of fatigue, recognise the signs of fatigue, and how to prevent fatigue by sufficient sleep and strategic naps.

Basic principles to consider for HEMS operators:

(a) Form a fatigue safety action group including manager/head of flight operations, planner, pilot(s)

(b) Identify potential fatigue hazards, including accumulation of fatigue

(c) Assess fatiguing rosters (e.g. this can simply be done using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale or the Samn-Perelli Fatigue Scale in conjunction with an assessment of the sleep duration and quality using a simple scale)

(d) Estimate risk associated with an identifiable hazard

(e) Redesign rosters/rotations in coordination with stakeholders

(f) Monitor reduction of risk (e.g. using the Karolinska Sleepiness Scale or the Samn-Perelli Fatigue Scale in conjunction with an assessment of the sleep duration and quality using a simple scale)

(g) Provide procedures and training (if necessary, this might be done by (an) external expert(s) and online)

(h) Make use of the continuous improvement plan-do-check-act principle of the SMS