SPA.HEMS.125 Performance requirements for HEMS operations

CRASH-RESISTANT FUEL SYSTEMS A crash-resistant fuel system is a system that has been demonstrated to comply with CS 27.952(a)(1)(2)(3)(5)&(6), CS 27.952(f), and CS 27.963(g) Initial Issue of 14 November 2003 (or any subsequent amendment) or CS 29.952(a)(1)(2)(3)(5)&(6), CS 29.952(f), and CS 29.963(b) Initial Issue of 14 November 2003 (or any subsequent amendment) or one of the following or equivalent:

(a)FAR 27.952(a)(1)(2)(3)(5)&(6), FAR 27.952.(f), and FAR 27.963(g) at Amendment 27-30 of 2 November 1994 or any subsequent amendment;

(b)FAR 29.952(a)(1)(2)(3)(5)&(6), FAR 29.952(f), and FAR 29.963(b) at Amendment 29-35 of 2 November 1994 or any subsequent amendment;

(c)JAR 27.952(a)(1)(2)(3)(5)&(6), JAR 27.952.(f), and JAR 27.963(g) Change 0 of 6 September 1993 or any subsequent amendment;

(d)JAR 29.952(a)(1)(2)(3)(5)&(6), JAR 29.952(f), and JAR 29.963(b) change 0 of 5 November 1993 or any subsequent amendment. NOTE: If compliance with CS 27.952 (a)(4), CS 29.952 (a)(4), FAR 27.952 (a)(4), FAR 29.952 (a)(4), JAR 27.952 (a)(4) or JAR 29.952 (a)(4) is addressed, then only 114 kg (250 lbs) is required under CS 27.963(g), CS 29.963(b), FAR 27.963(g), FAR 29.963(b), JAR 27.963(g) or JAR 29.963(b).

CRASH-RESISTANT FUEL SYSTEMS The operator may ensure compliance of the fuel system based on a statement by the type-certificate or supplemental type-certificate holder.

PERFORMANCE CLASS 3 WITH A HELICOPTER NOT CERTIFIED AS CATEGORY A OR EQUIVALENT

(a)If a stretcher is likely to be necessary for the mission, the helicopter should be able to carry a deployed stretcher without preventing compliance with the crew composition requirements of SPA.HEMS.130, i.e. without preventing the two pilots, or a pilot and a HEMS crew member, from occupying the two forward-facing seats in the cockpit.

(b)Considering the limitations for Performance class 3 operations included in CAT.POL.H.400, the planned mission needs to remain outside congested hostile areas and is expected to be completed by sunset.

(c)If the HEMS mission unexpectedly needs to be continued by night, or it unexpectedly requires a HEMS flight into a congested hostile area, the operator should ensure that a category A helicopter is dispatched.

(d)The records required by point (vi) of SPA.HEMS.125(a)(3) should contain the following information for each mission, and be kept for 3 years:

(1)the criteria that the operator used for the dispatch in accordance with SPA.HEMS.125 (a)(3);

(2)the criteria that the operator used for the dispatch as described in (a) and (b) above;

(3)the contingency options that were available to meet (c), and whether they were triggered or not;

(4)all elements relevant to the mission including destinations, altitude, weather conditions, mass and balance.

PERFORMANCE CLASS 2 OPERATIONS AT A HEMS OPERATING SITE As the risk profile at a HEMS operating site is already well known, operations without an assured safe forced landing capability do not need a separate approval and the requirements does not call for the additional risk assessment that is specified in CAT.POL.H.305(b)(1).

TAKE-OFF AND LANDING PERFORMANCE — HEMS OPERATING SITES USED FOR TRAINING AND CHECKING The operator’s risk assessment required under CAT.POL.H.305(b)(1) may take into consideration the following elements pertaining to take-off and landing performance when defining such HEMS operating sites, for the purpose of compliance with SPA.HEMS.125(c)(3)(ii):

(a)altitude;

(b)direction of the approach to the operating site;

(c)prevalent winds;

(d)site weather conditions and operating limitations;

(e)whether there are safe forced landing options, the helicopter has flyaway capability, or none of these;

(f)performance margins regarding hover out of ground effect (HOGE) capability, considering the expected average temperature for exercise;

(g)any defined escape routes during operations;

(h)the maximum number of people on board during manoeuvres in addition to the flight crew and technical crew members.

CRITERIA FOR THE HEMS OPERATING SITE

(a)In order to select a HEMS operating site from the air, the operator should define either:

(1)minimum HEMS operating site dimensions of at least 2 × D by day (the largest dimensions of the helicopter when the rotors are turning) and at least 4 × D in length and 2 × D in width by night, to be estimated by the crew from the air; or

(2)alternative criteria for the HEMS operating site together with operating procedures and training, which mitigate the risks identified in the operator’s risk assessment. In this case the operator may choose not to define minimum site dimensions. By night, for operations other than HEC, the HEMS operating site should include an area that the crew estimates to be least at least 4 × D in length and 2 × D in width, which should be free of relevant obstacles.

(b)The pre-surveyed HEMS operating site dimensions should be at least 2 × D.

(c)The operator may provide guidelines to its commanders on whether to land, proceed with e.g. a one-skid landing, hover landing or proceed with HEMS HEC operations. The commander should decide which technique to employ.

(d)Before operating at a HEMS operating site, the commander should estimate whether it is suitable for safe operations based on the above and on the environmental conditions.

ILLUMINATION OF HEMS OPERATING SITES AT NIGHT For night operations, the illumination should be sufficient to allow the pilot to:

(a)identify the landing area in flight and determine the landing direction; and

(b)make a safe approach, landing and take-off.

ILLUMINATION OF HEMS OPERATING SITES AT NIGHT A landing site may provide additional illumination from the ground, which complements the illumination from the helicopter but does not replace it. Some ground lights might contribute to blinding or masking obstacles.