AMC1 SPA.HEMS.105(b) HEMS HEC operations

HEMS HEC CARGO SLING OPERATIONS

TECHNICAL CREW MEMBERS AND GROUND OPERATIONS PERSONNEL

(a)     During HEMS HEC cargo sling operations, the operator should ensure that a trained crew member, referred to as the sling technical crew member, is in charge of:

(1)     ensuring that the rope is safely connected to the helicopter hook; and

(2)     when relevant, guiding the pilot from the cabin, from the ground, or when carried externally.

(b)     The operator should ensure that the person securing themselves or other persons to the rope is trained in accordance with ORO.GEN.110(e). This person should be nominated by the operator or should be part of an external organisation contracted by the operator. If the person is a member of an external organisation, ORO.GEN.205 applies. This person may be a sling technical crew member.

(c)      The sling technical crew member may be the HEMS technical crew member if the training and checking requirements for both roles are met.

(d)     The sling technical crew member and the person responsible to secure themselves or other persons to the rope, referred to in (b) should comply with the training, checking and briefing defined for task specialists in point (e) of AMC1 SPO.SPEC.HEC.100.

EQUIPMENT

(e)     The sling technical crew member and the person responsible to secure themselves or other persons to the rope referred to in (b) should be equipped with communication equipment and personal protective equipment meeting the criteria of point (c)(4) of AMC1 SPO.SPEC.HEC.100. The helicopter should be equipped in accordance with point (c)(3) of AMC1 SPO.SPEC.HEC.100.

(f)      When conducting single-pilot vertical reference operations with no assistance of a crew member, additional engine monitoring in the pilot line of vision or an audio warning system is recommended.

FLIGHT CREW

(g)     A pilot involved in HEMS HEC cargo sling operations should be trained and experienced as defined in points (b) and (d) of AMC1 SPO.SPEC.HEC.100.

(h)     A pilot involved in HEMS HEC cargo sling operations should complete a flight check at least annually to demonstrate competence in carrying out HEMS HEC operations. The checking may be combined with the line check or with a HEC training flight. If the operator is involved in HEMS HEC cargo sling operations by night, the flight check should take place by night.

(i)      A pilot involved in HEMS HEC cargo sling operations should have completed in the last 90 days:

(1)     when operating by day: any combination of three day or night cycles, each of which shall include a transition to and from the hover;

(2)     when operating by night: three night cycles, each of which shall include a transition to and from the hover.

Cycles may include HEMS HEC cargo sling cycles, SPO.SPEC.HEC cycles, SPO.SPEC.HESLO cycles or hoist cycles.

(j)      In the context of HEMS, the validity period of flight and technical crew recurrent training and checking as well as recency should be as specified in AMC1 ORO.FC.145(g).

SOPs

(k)     HEMS HEC standard operating procedures (SOPs) should be developed in accordance with points (g) and (h) of AMC1 SPO.SPEC.HEC.100.

[applicable from 25 May 2024 — ED Decision 2023/007/R]