SPA.HEMS.130 Crew requirements

(a)     Selection. The operator shall establish criteria for the selection of flight crew members for the HEMS task, taking their previous experience into account.

(b)     INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK

(c)      Operational training. Crew members shall successfully complete operational training in accordance with the HEMS procedures contained in the operations manual.

(d)     Flight training by sole reference to instruments. Flight crew members that conduct HEMS operations without a valid instrument rating shall complete flight training to proficiency by sole reference to instruments in a helicopter or in an FSTD to have the skills to escape unintended IMC conditions. The validity period of the flight training shall be 6 calendar months.

(e)     Crew composition

(1)     Day flight. The minimum crew composition shall at least satisfy the following requirements:

(i)      comprise either two pilots or one pilot and one HEMS technical crew member;

(ii)               the crew composition may be reduced to only one pilot only if one of the situations below occur; once the crew composition is reduced to one pilot, the commander shall only operate to or from HEMS operating sites if they have previously conducted an in-flight reconnaissance with two crew members during the same HEMS mission:

(A)     the commander is required to fetch additional medical supplies, refuel, or reposition while the HEMS technical crew member provides medical assistance on the ground;

(B)     the medical passenger requires the assistance of the HEMS technical crew member in flight;

(C)     the HEMS technical crew member disembarks to supervise a HEMS HEC cargo sling operation from outside the helicopter;

(2)     Night flight. The minimum crew composition shall be:

(i)      either two pilots or one pilot and one HEMS technical crew member;

(ii)     one pilot where the following conditions are met:

(A)     the medical passenger requires the assistance of the HEMS technical crew member during the flight;

(B)     neither the departure nor the destination is a HEMS operating site.

(3)     The operator shall ensure that the continuity of the crew concept is maintained throughout the HEMS mission.

(f)      Flight and technical crew training and checking

(1)     Training and checking shall be conducted by suitably qualified personnel in accordance with a detailed syllabus that is included in the operations manual and approved by the competent authority.

(2)     Crew members

(i)      All relevant elements of the crew training programmes defined in Subpart FC and TC of Annex III (Part-ORO), including helicopter/FSTD training, shall improve the crew’s knowledge of the HEMS working environment and equipment, improve crew coordination, and include measures to minimise the risks associated with en‑route transit in low-visibility conditions, the selection of HEMS operating sites, and approach and departure profiles.

(ii)     The measures referred to in point (i) shall be assessed during both of the following:

(A)     VMC day proficiency checks, or VMC night proficiency checks when night HEMS operations are undertaken by the operator;

(B)     line checks.

(iii)     the HEMS components of the proficiency checks and line checks referred to in point (ii) shall both have a validity period of 12 calendar months.

[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 2026 — Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1020]

(g)      Flight crew members who have attained the age of 60 years and who perform single-pilot HEMS operations in accordance with point FCL.065(a) of Annex I (Part-FCL) to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011

(1)      For flight crew members who have attained the age of 60 years and who perform single-pilot HEMS operations in accordance with point FCL.065(a) of Annex I (Part-FCL) to Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, the operator shall take into account in its risk evaluation performed in accordance with ORO.GEN.200 the increase of the risk of incapacitation due to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular factors linked with operational circumstances.

(2)      Training and checking for flight crew members referred to in point (1) shall be conducted by personnel that has received appropriate training to help them detect mild cognitive decline and request medical assessment of crew member where necessary.