SPA.HEMS.110 Equipment requirements for HEMS operations

The installation of all helicopter dedicated medical equipment and any subsequent modifications and, where appropriate, its operation shall be approved in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.

[applicable until 24 May 2024 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012]

(a)     The installation on a helicopter of all dedicated medical equipment and any subsequent modifications to that equipment and, where appropriate, its operation, shall be approved in accordance with Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.

(b)     For VFR flights over routes navigated by reference to visual landmarks, the helicopter shall be equipped with a device that provides a moving map display with own-ship position and obstacles. The map and obstacle database(s) shall be kept up to date.

(c)      By way of derogation from point CAT.IDE.H.240 of Annex IV, complex, non-pressurised helicopters operated in HEMS with a MOPSC of nine or less shall comply with the oxygen requirements applicable to other than complex, non-pressurised helicopters.

(d)     By way of derogation from points CAT.OP.MPA.285 and CAT.IDE.H.240 of Annex IV, short excursions above 13 000 ft without using supplemental oxygen may be undertaken by day, subject to prior approval by the competent authority, provided that all the following conditions are met:

(1)     the excursion above 13 000 ft is necessary for the embarkation/disembarkation of persons or for HEMS HEC operations;

(2)     the flight is not conducted above 16 000 ft;

(3)     the duration of the excursion above 10 000 ft without oxygen is limited to 30 minutes within a HEMS mission;

(4)     the safety briefing in accordance with point CAT.OP.MPA.170 of Annex IV includes adequate information to crew members and passengers on the effects of hypoxia;

(5)     SOPs are included in the operations manual covering points (1) to (4);

(6)     the operator’s experience of conducting operations at high altitudes without using supplemental oxygen is adequate for the operations to be performed;

(7)     the experience of the individual crew members and their physiological adaptation to high altitudes are adequate for the operations to be performed;

(8)     all crew members involved in the operations have received initial and recurrent training in hypoxia;

(9)     none of the crew members involved in the operations have been diagnosed with a medical condition that could lead to hypoxia.

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

(e)     For single-pilot operations at night, the helicopter shall be equipped as follows:

(1)     for a helicopter first issued with an individual CofA before 25 May 2024 or earlier, with a suitable stability augmentation system or autopilot;

(2)     for a helicopter first issued with an initial CofA on or after 25 May 2024, with an autopilot.

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

(f)      For HEMS operations by day, the helicopter shall be equipped with the flight instruments required under points (a)(6) and (a)(7) of point CAT.IDE.H.130 of Annex IV.

(g)     The helicopter shall be equipped with a radio altimeter capable of emitting an audio warning below a pre-set height and a visual warning at a height selectable by the pilot.

(h)     Instruments and equipment required in points (e) and (g) shall be approved in accordance with the applicable airworthiness requirements.

(i)      The operator shall ensure that all relevant information is documented in the minimum equipment list.

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