SPA.HEMS.120 HEMS operating minima

• Regulation (EU) 2023/1020 found in: Air Operations (965/2012) Part-ARO Part-ORO Part-CAT Part-SPA Part-NCC Part-NCO Part-SPO (Sep 2023)

SPA.HEMS.120 HEMS operating minima Regulation (EU) 2023/1020 (a) HEMS flights operated in performance class 1 and 2 shall comply with the weather minima in Table 1 for dispatch and en-route phase of the HEMS flight. In the event that during the en-route phase the weather conditions fall below the cloud base or visibility minima shown, helicopters certified for flights only under VMC shall abandon the flight or return to base. Helicopters equipped and certified for instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) operations may abandon the flight, return to base or convert in all respects to a flight conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR), provided the flight crew are suitably qualified. Table 1 <table border="1" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="567"><tr><td colspan="4" valign="top" width="567"><p>HEMS operating minima</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="284"><p>2 PILOTS</p></td><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="283"><p>1 PILOT</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" valign="top" width="567"><p>DAY</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="114"><p>Ceiling</p></td><td valign="top" width="170"><p>Visibility</p></td><td valign="top" width="113"><p>Ceiling</p></td><td valign="top" width="170"><p>Visibility</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="114"><p>500 ft and above</p></td><td valign="top" width="170"><p>As defined by the applicable airspace VFR minima</p></td><td valign="top" width="113"><p>500 ft and above</p></td><td valign="top" width="170"><p>As defined by the applicable airspace VFR minima</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="114"><p>499 - 400 ft</p></td><td valign="top" width="170"><p>1000 m^(*)</p></td><td valign="top" width="113"><p>499 – 400 ft</p></td><td valign="top" width="170"><p>2 000 m</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="284"><p>2 PILOTS</p></td><td colspan="2" valign="top" width="283"><p>1 PILOT</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="114"><p>399 - 300 ft</p></td><td valign="top" width="170"><p>2 000 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="113"><p>399 – 300 ft</p></td><td valign="top" width="170"><p>3 000 m</p></td></tr><tr><td colspan="4" valign="top" width="567"><p>NIGHT</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="114"><p>Cloud base</p></td><td valign="top" width="170"><p>Visibility</p></td><td valign="top" width="113"><p>Cloud base</p></td><td valign="top" width="170"><p>Visibility</p></td></tr><tr><td valign="top" width="114"><p>1 200 ft^(**)</p></td><td valign="top" width="170"><p>2 500 m</p></td><td valign="top" width="113"><p>1 200 ft^(**)</p></td><td valign="top" width="170"><p>3 000 m</p></td></tr></table> (\*) During the en-route phase visibility may be reduced to 800 m for short periods when in sight of land if the helicopter is manoeuvred at a speed that will give adequate opportunity to observe any obstacles in time to avoid a collision. (\*\*) During the en-route phase, cloud base may be reduced to 1 000 ft for short periods. (b) The weather minima for the dispatch and en-route phase of a HEMS flight operated in performance class 3 shall be a cloud ceiling of 600 ft and a visibility of 1500 m. Visibility may be reduced to 800 m for short periods when in sight of land if the helicopter is manoeuvred at a speed that will give adequate opportunity to observe any obstacle and avoid a collision. *[applicable until 24 May 2024 —**Regulation (EU) No 965/2012]* (a) HEMS flights operated under VFR shall comply with the HEMS-specific weather minima for the dispatch and en-route phase of the HEMS flight. (b) If during the en-route phase the weather conditions fall below the cloud base or visibility minima, helicopters certified for flights only under VMC shall abandon the flight or return to base. Helicopters equipped and certified for instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) operations may abandon the flight, return to base or convert in all respects to a flight conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR), provided the flight crew are suitably qualified. (c) The VFR operating minima shall be as defined by the applicable airspace requirements, except in the following cases where reduced ceiling, visibility and vertical distances from obstacles may be used: (1) multi-pilot operations; (2) single-pilot operations with a technical crew member seated in a forward-facing front seat, who is suitably qualified and tasked to mitigate the additional risk. *[applicable from 25 May 2024 — Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1020]* SPA.HEMS.120 HEMS operating minima Regulation (EU) 2023/1020 (a) HEMS flights operated under VFR shall comply with the HEMS-specific weather minima for the dispatch and en-route phase of the HEMS flight. (b) If during the en-route phase the weather conditions fall below the cloud base or visibility minima, helicopters certified for flights only under VMC shall abandon the flight or return to base. Helicopters equipped and certified for instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) operations may abandon the flight, return to base or convert in all respects to a flight conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR), provided the flight crew are suitably qualified. (c) The VFR operating minima shall be as defined by the applicable airspace requirements, except in the following cases where reduced ceiling, visibility and vertical distances from obstacles may be used: (1) multi-pilot operations; (2) single-pilot operations with a technical crew member seated in a forward-facing front seat, who is suitably qualified and tasked to mitigate the additional risk. #### SPA.HEMS.120 HEMS operating minima *Regulation (EU) 2023/1020* (a) HEMS flights operated under VFR shall comply with the HEMS-specific weather minima for the dispatch and en-route phase of the HEMS flight. (b) If during the en-route phase the weather conditions fall below the cloud base or visibility minima, helicopters certified for flights only under VMC shall abandon the flight or return to base. Helicopters equipped and certified for instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) operations may abandon the flight, return to base or convert in all respects to a flight conducted under instrument flight rules (IFR), provided the flight crew are suitably qualified. (c) The VFR operating minima shall be as defined by the applicable airspace requirements, except in the following cases where reduced ceiling, visibility and vertical distances from obstacles may be used: (1) multi-pilot operations; (2) single-pilot operations with a technical crew member seated in a forward-facing front seat, who is suitably qualified and tasked to mitigate the additional risk.