Skip to content

A gradual release of Avioverse begins in October 2026. Request early access →

SPA.HEMS.105 HEMS HEC operations

ANNEX V (Part-SPA) · Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

IRImplementing rule

SPA.HEMS.105HEMS HEC operations

(a)HEMS HEC operations may be conducted with either of the following:

(1)a helicopter hoist, under the conditions prescribed in Subpart I (Helicopter Hoist Operations);

(2)a cargo sling, under the conditions prescribed in point (b).

(b)For HEMS HEC operations conducted with a cargo sling, the operator shall:

(1)comply with the requirements of point SPO.SPEC.HEC.105 of Annex VIII;

(2)use an approved double cargo hook, or a cargo hook system approved under a relevant airworthiness standard;

(3)limit the operations to the technical phase of the flight for rescuing injured, ill or endangered persons, or to carry persons that are necessary for the mission;

(4)ensure that sling technical crew members are adequately equipped, trained, checked and briefed;

(5)develop specific HEMS HEC SOPs, following the risk assessment referred to in point SPA.HEMS.140;

(6)ensure that all flight crew members involved in HEMS HEC operations are experienced, trained and checked for HEMS HEC operations, and have recent experience with such activity.

IR · SPA.HEMS.105 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · Regulation (EU) 2023/1020 · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

AMCAcceptable means of compliance

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

Show the text

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.

AMC · AMC1 SPA.HEMS.105(b) — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2023/007/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

GMGuidance material

GM1 SPA.HEMS.105(b)HEMS HEC operations

Show the text

HEMS OPERATING SITES USED FOR TRAINING AND CHECKING In order to ensure that the training and checking is relevant to the duties of the crew members and ground personnel as required by ORO.GEN.110(e), the operator may define HEMS operating sites for the purpose of the HEMS training and checking required in SPA.HEMS.105(b), except for the initial part of the training. The training and checking may involve all personnel necessary to the HEMS mission.

GM · GM1 SPA.HEMS.105(b) — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2023/007/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

AMCAcceptable means of compliance

AMC1 SPA.HEMS.105(b)(2)HEMS HEC operations

Show the text

AIRWORTHINESS APPROVAL FOR THE CARGO HOOK A double cargo hook installation should be considered to satisfy the airworthiness criteria for HEMS HEC operations if it meets the criteria of AMC1 SPO.SPEC.HEC.105(b). A cargo hook system other than a double cargo hook should meet the provisions of point (a) of AMC1 SPO.SPEC.HEC.105(b).

AMC · AMC1 SPA.HEMS.105(b)(2) — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 · ED Decision 2023/007/R · Air OPS Easy Access Rules · EAR revision 27 Mar 2026

All rules in SUBPART J: HELICOPTER EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE OPERATIONS

Consolidated from the EASA Easy Access Rules (revision 27 Mar 2026, extracted 17 Aug 2026) for convenience. Not the official publication — verify against the Official Journal of the European Union and the EASA publications before operational use.

Ask Metis about SPA.HEMS.105 →

Metis opens with Avioverse in October 2026 · request early access.