SPA.VEMS.130 Crew requirements

VEMS PILOT-IN-COMMAND (PIC) MINIMUM EXPERIENCE

(a)The experience requirements for the PIC that conducts VEMS flights should be as follows:

(1)either:

(i)a minimum of 1 000 hours as PIC/commander of any aircraft, of which 500 hours are as PIC/commander on helicopters and/or VCA; or

(ii)a minimum of 1 000 hours as co-pilot in VEMS or HEMS operations, of which at least 500 hours are as PIC under supervision, and 100 hours as PIC/commander on helicopters and/or VCA; and

(2)a minimum of 500 hours of operating experience in helicopters and/or VCA, gained in an operational environment similar to that of the intended operation; and

(3)RESERVED

(4)RESERVED

(b)As regards the minimum experience requirements for a commander that conducts VEMS flights, the geographical characteristics of the operation (sea, mountain, big cities with heavy traffic, etc.) should be taken into account.

VEMS TECHNICAL CREW MEMBER

(a)When the crew is composed of a PIC and a VEMS technical crew member, the latter should be seated in a forward-facing front seat during the flight, so as to be able to carry out his or her primary tasks of assisting the PIC in:

(1)collision avoidance;

(2)the selection of the VEMS operating site;

(3)the detection of obstacles during the approach and take-off phases; and

(4)the reading of checklists.

(b)By day, the VEMS technical crew member may be seated in the cabin, at the discretion of the PIC, provided all the following conditions are met:

(1)the VEMS technical crew member provides medical assistance to the medical patient in flight; and

(2)the flight is conducted to or from a VEMS operating site.

(c)The PIC may delegate other aviation tasks to the VEMS technical crew member, as necessary:

(1)assistance in navigation;

(2)assistance in the selection of radio-communication/radio-navigation means;

(3)if properly qualified and licensed, assistance in radio communications; and

(4)monitoring of parameters.

(d)The PIC may also delegate to the VEMS technical crew member tasks on the ground, such as:

(1)assistance in preparing the VCA and the dedicated medical specialist equipment for a subsequent VEMS departure; or

(2)assistance in the application of safety measures during ground operations with lift and thrust units powered on (including, as applicable, crowd control, embarking and disembarking of passengers, refuelling, battery recharging or swapping, etc.).

(e)There may be exceptional circumstances when it is not possible for the VEMS technical crew member to carry out his or her primary tasks as defined under point (a). This is to be regarded as exceptional and the tasks are only to be undertaken at the discretion of the PIC, taking into account the dimensions and environment of the VEMS operating site.

(f)RESERVED

(g)When selecting flight crews for single-pilot operations in accordance with point SPA.VEMS.130(a), the operator should consider the experience of both the PIC and the VEMS technical crew member. The operator should consider a VEMS technical crew member as inexperienced until the VEMS technical crew member has completed 25 VEMS missions. The operator may include VEMS missions flown during line flying under supervision and simulated VEMS missions. When an inexperienced VEMS technical crew member is part of the crew, the following should apply:

(1)the PIC has completed 10 flight hours on the VCA type within a period of 60 days since the completion of the operator’s conversion course on the VCA type; or

(2)the PIC has completed 20 flight hours on the VCA type after the completion of the operator’s conversion course on the VCA type.

(h)A smaller number of VEMS missions or flight hours than those defined in point (g) may be acceptable to the competent authority and subject to any conditions which the competent authority may impose, when either of the following applies:

(1)a new operator commences operations;

(2)an operator introduces a new VCA type;

(3)the PIC has previously completed a type conversion course with the same operator (reconversion);

(4)credits are defined in the operational suitability data established in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.

OPERATIONS WITH NO TECHNICAL CREW MEMBER ABOARD

(a)The PIC should decide whether the VEMS technical crew member can be relieved from aviation tasks to provide medical assistance to the medical patient on the ground or in flight, or during the transport of the medical patient in another vehicle.

(b)When relieved from aviation tasks, the VEMS technical crew member should take part in the departure briefing that summarises the relevant obstacles and threats.

FLIGHT CREW TRAINING AND CHECKING SYLLABUS

(a)The flight crew initial and recurrent training syllabus should include the following items:

(1)meteorological training focusing on the understanding and interpretation of available weather information;

(2)preparing the VCA and the specialist medical equipment for subsequent VEMS departure;

(3)practice of VEMS departures;

(4)assessment from the air of the suitability of VEMS operating sites;

(5)medical effects that air transport may have on the patient;

(6)in-flight replanning, including fuel/energy replanning and CMP constraints.

(b)Single-pilot operations

(1)The flight crew training syllabus should include initial and annual recurrent VCA/FSTD training focusing on crew cooperation with the technical crew member.

(2)The initial training should include at least 4 hours of flight instruction dedicated to crew cooperation, unless the PIC:

(i)holds a certificate of satisfactory completion of a multi-crew cooperation course in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011; or

(ii)has at least 500 hours in either multi-pilot operations or single-pilot operations with a VEMS or HEMS technical crew member, or a combination of these.

(3)The training described in points (1) and (2) should be organised with a crew composition of a PIC and a technical crew member.

(4)The training described in points (1) and (2) should be provided by a suitably qualified PIC/commander with a minimum experience of 350 hours total flight time in either multi-pilot operations or single-pilot operations with a VEMS or HEMS technical crew member, or a combination of these.

(c)The flight crew checking syllabus should include:

(1)proficiency checks, which should include landing and take-off profiles likely to be used at VEMS operating sites; and

(2)line checks, with special emphasis on all the following:

(i)local area meteorology;

(ii)VEMS flight planning and in-flight replanning;

(iii)VEMS departures;

(iv)the selection from the air of VEMS operating sites;

(v)familiarity with established VEMS operating sites and diversion locations in the operator’s local area register;

(vi)crew cooperation.

VEMS TECHNICAL CREW MEMBER TRAINING AND CHECKING SYLLABUS

INITIAL AND RECURRENT TRAINING COVERING PRIMARY TASKS

(a)The VEMS technical crew member’s initial and recurrent training and checking syllabus covering primary tasks should include the following items:

(1)applicable laws and regulations;

(2)VCA general knowledge:

(i)stowage, cabin safety and use of on-board medical equipment;

(ii)general knowledge of VCA operations;

(3)meteorology;

(4)operational procedures:

(i)operator’s procedures;

(ii)duties in the VEMS role;

(iii)response to VEMS dispatch;

(iv)VEMS operating site selection and use;

(v)patients;

(vi)portable electronic devices (PEDs) and electronic flight bags (EFBs), as applicable;

(5)crew coordination, including checklists;

(6)human performance and limitations, and CRM in accordance with AMC1 ORO.FC.115;

(7)flight safety:

(i)general flight safety in VCA operations;

(ii)obstacle and traffic clearance;

(iii)handling of abnormal and emergency situations, including checklists;

(iv)dangerous goods (DG), as relevant for VEMS operation;

(8)security.

NAVIGATION TRAINING

(b)If the VEMS technical crew member is tasked to provide assistance in navigation, the initial and recurrent training and checking syllabus should also include the following items:

(1)applicable parts of SERA, as relevant to the navigation tasks of the VEMS crew member;

(2)basic navigation training;

(3)principles and use of navigation aids;

(4)airspace, restricted areas, and noise-abatement procedures;

(5)crew coordination.

COMMUNICATION TRAINING

(c)If the VEMS technical crew member is tasked to provide assistance in radio communications, the initial and recurrent training and checking syllabus should also include the following items:

(1)operation of relevant radio equipment;

(2)crew coordination.

MONITORING TRAINING

(d)If the VEMS technical crew member is tasked to provide assistance in the monitoring of the flight path and instruments, the initial and recurrent training and checking syllabus should also include the following items:

(1)general knowledge of VCA operations;

(2)monitoring function;

(3)crew coordination;

(4)handling of abnormal and emergency situations, as applicable.

GROUND CREW TRAINING

(e)If the VEMS technical crew member is tasked to provide assistance to the VCA on the ground, the initial and recurrent training and checking syllabus should also include the following items as applicable to their tasks:

(1)safety and security at the VEMS operating site;

(2)the dangers to self and others posed by rotors or propellers or other rotating parts;

(3)preparing the VCA and the specialist medical equipment for subsequent departure;

(4)conducting refuelling, and conducting refuelling with lift and thrust units powered on;

(5)marshalling signals;

(6)safety at the aerodrome (vertiport) and the operating site, including fire prevention and ramp safety areas;

(7)towing of VCA/trolley; and

(8)risks arising from damaged VCA batteries.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING, AS APPROPRIATE

(f)RESERVED

CONVERSION COURSE GROUND TRAINING AND CHECKING

(g)The conversion course ground training and checking, when changing VCA types, should include the elements of points (a) to (f) that are relevant for the new VCA type.

(h)When changing operators, the conversion course ground training and checking should include the elements of points (a) to (f) that are relevant in the context of changing operators.

INITIAL VCA/FSTD TRAINING

(i)The VEMS technical crew member training syllabus should include VCA/FSTD training focusing on crew cooperation with the PIC.

(1)The initial VCA/FSTD training should include at least 4 hours of instruction dedicated to crew cooperation unless:

(i)the VEMS technical crew member has received such training at another operator; or

(ii)the VEMS technical crew member has performed at least 50 missions in VEMS or in an equivalent role as a technical crew member.

(2)The initial VCA/FSTD training should be organised with a crew composition of a PIC and a VEMS technical crew member.

(3)The initial VCA/FSTD training may be combined with line flying under supervision.

LINE FLYING UNDER SUPERVISION

(j)Line flying under supervision

(1)Line flying under supervision should take place during the operator’s conversion course.

(2)Line flying under supervision provides the opportunity for a VEMS technical crew member to practise the procedures and techniques the VEMS technical crew member should be familiar with regarding ground and flight operations, including any elements that are specific to a particular VCA type. Upon completion of the line flying under supervision, the VEMS technical crew member should be able to safely perform the flight operational duties assigned to him or her according to the procedures of the operator’s operations manual.

(3)Line flying under supervision should include a minimum of 5 VEMS missions involving a minimum of 3 VEMS operating sites the VEMS technical crew member is not familiar with.

RECURRENT VCA/FSTD TRAINING

(k)Recurrent VCA/FSTD training

(1)The recurrent VCA/FSTD training should focus on crew cooperation and should contain a minimum of 2 hours of flight.

(2)The recurrent VCA/FSTD training should take place in the same conditions as the initial training in point (i).

(3)The validity period of the recurrent VCA/FSTD training should be 12 calendar months.

LINE CHECKS

(l)Line checks

(1)The line check should be performed during a VEMS mission or, alternatively, during a flight that is representative of a VEMS mission.

(2)The operator’s conversion course should include a line check. The line check should take place after the completion of the line flying under supervision.

(3)Any task-specific items may be checked by a suitably qualified VEMS technical crew member nominated by the operator and trained in CRM concepts and in the assessment of non-technical skills.

OPERATOR PROFICIENCY CHECKS

(m)Operator proficiency checks

(1)The VEMS technical crew member should complete an operator proficiency check to demonstrate his or her competence in carrying out normal, abnormal and emergency procedures, covering the relevant aspects associated with the flight operational tasks described in the operations manual and not already covered in the line check.

(2)The conversion course should include an operator proficiency check.

(3)The operator proficiency check should be valid for a given VCA type. In order to consider that an operator proficiency check is valid for several VCA types, the operator should demonstrate that the types concerned are sufficiently similar from the technical crew member’s perspective.

PROVISION OF TRAINING AND CHECKING

(n)Use of FSTDs

(1)The line check and line flying under supervision should be performed in the VCA used for the training of the VEMS technical crew member or in another VCA of the same type or variant.

(2)Notwithstanding point (1), the operator may perform the line check in two parts, in a suitable FSTD and on the ground, if all the following conditions are met:

(i)the FSTD part of the line check takes place in a line-oriented evaluation;

(ii)the ground part of the line check takes place at the VEMS operating base and includes all normal operating procedures not checked in the FSTD;

(iii)both parts of the line check are conducted within 3 months;

(iv)for the purpose of AMC1 SPA.VEMS.130, the line check is considered to be performed on the day on which the last part of the line check is completed;

(v)for the purpose of point (ii), the operator should arrange to replicate realistic conditions as much as practicable, so that normal operating procedures that are carried out on the ground at the VEMS operating site are also checked.

(3)Operator proficiency checks and FSTD training should be performed in a suitable FSTD or, if it is not reasonably practicable to gain access to such devices, in the VCA used for the training of the VEMS technical crew member or in another VCA of the same type or variant.

(o)Emergency and safety equipment training should be performed in the VCA involved in VEMS operations or in a representative training device or in a VCA of the same type or variant.

(p)The type of equipment used for the training and checking should be representative of the instrumentation, equipment and layout of the VCA type to be operated by the VEMS technical crew member.

(q)Training and checking in the VCA/FSTD should take place as part of the normal crew complement.

(r)The person conducting the training and checking should be a suitably qualified PIC nominated by the operator. In the case of the training described in points (i) and (k), the person conducting the training should have a minimum of 350 hours of experience in either multi-pilot operations or single-pilot operations with a VEMS/HEMS technical crew member or a combination of these two types of operations. The person conducting a CRM assessment should be trained in CRM concepts and in the assessment of CRM skills.

(s)Notwithstanding point (r), the person conducting the training and checking of tasks conducted in the cabin where crew cooperation is not essential may be a suitably qualified technical crew member nominated by the operator.

CRM ASSESSMENT OF THE VEMS TECHNICAL CREW MEMBER

(t)The CRM assessment should take place during the line check or should take place annually in a line-oriented flight scenario (LOFT or line-oriented section of the operator proficiency check) of an FSTD session in a suitable FSTD. The CRM assessment in the VCA type to be operated by the VEMS technical crew member should take place as described for the pilots in AMC1 ORO.FC.430 point (b)(3)(vi) or (b)(3)(vii).

LINE CHECKS If the line check cannot be conducted on an operational flight due to the size, the configuration or the performance of the VCA, it may be conducted on a specially arranged representative flight. This flight may be immediately adjacent to, but not simultaneous with, one of the biannual proficiency checks.

CONTINUITY OF THE CREW CONCEPT The crew concept includes the operator’s normal crew composition and variations to it that the operator accepts that will occur during the VEMS mission. The operator ensures the continuity of the crew concept by managing the variations.

VEMS TECHNICAL CREW MEMBER THEORETICAL TRAINING

(a)The VEMS technical crew member training and checking may be adapted to the knowledge of the VEMS technical crew member and structured as shown in Table 1. The operator should decide to what extent a qualified HEMS technical crew member needs to receive the theoretical training as shown in Table 1. Table 1: VEMS technical crew member training

* Applicable to trainees that have passed the theoretical knowledge examination for at least the PPL(H) or that hold at least a PPL(H). ** Applicable to trainees that have passed the theoretical knowledge examination for at least the PPL(A) or that hold at least a PPL(A).

(b)The operator may consider that trainees that have passed the theoretical knowledge examination for at least the PPL(A) or the PPL(H), or that hold at least a PPL(A) or a PPL(H), or that are qualified HEMS technical crew members, do not need to receive additional navigation training. In all other cases, if the VEMS technical crew member is tasked to provide assistance in navigation, the navigation training may be structured as follows:

(1)Applicable parts of SERA, as relevant to the navigation tasks of the VEMS technical crew member.

(2)Basic navigation training:

(i)charts (convergence, scale, projections, symbology, plotting);

(ii)measuring distances and courses;

(iii)ability to keep track with helicopter position on map;

(iv)moving map, if applicable;

(v)identification of obstacles and conflicting terrain;

(vi)time (local/UTC, sunrise/sunset) and speed;

(vii)units and unit conversion.

(3)Principles and use of navigation aids:

(i)navigation equipment and AFCS operations, as applicable;

(ii)transponder;

(iii)ACAS, HTAWS, weather radar, moving map, as applicable;

(iv)inadvertent IMC.

(4)Airspace, restricted areas, and noise-abatement procedures:

(i)air traffic services;

(ii)aerodrome procedures;

(iii)AIP;

(iv)NOTAMs.

(5)Crew coordination: assignment of navigation tasks.

(c)The operator may consider that trainees that have passed the theoretical knowledge examination for at least the PPL(A) or the PPL(H) or that hold at least a PPL(A) or a PPL(H), or are qualified HEMS technical crew members, do not require communication training. In all other cases, if the VEMS technical crew member is tasked to provide assistance in radio communications, the radio communications training may be structured as follows:

(1)operation of relevant radio equipment: radio licence as applicable to the frequencies used by the technical crew member;

(2)crew coordination: effective use of the radio communication system.

(d)If the VEMS technical crew member is tasked to provide assistance in monitoring, the training in monitoring may be adapted to the knowledge of the VEMS technical crew member and structured as shown in Table 2. Table 2: VEMS technical crew member monitoring training

* Applicable to trainees that have passed the theoretical knowledge examination for at least the PPL(H) or that hold at least a PPL(H). ** Applicable to trainees that have passed the theoretical knowledge examination for at least the PPL(A) or that hold at least a PPL(A).

(e)RESERVED

(f)If the VEMS technical crew member is tasked to provide assistance on the ground, the training in these tasks may be structured as per AMC5 SPA.VEMS.130.

VEMS TECHNICAL CREW MEMBER OBSERVATION FLIGHTS If the candidate VEMS technical crew member has no prior flight experience as technical crew member, flight crew member or student pilot, the operator may provide observation flights on VEMS missions, prior to the VCA/FSTD training, once the ground training and checking of the conversion course has been completed.

USE OF VEMS OPERATING SITES 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 point ORO.GEN.110(e), the operator may define VEMS operating sites for the purpose of the VEMS training and checking required by point SPA.VEMS.130, except for the initial part of the training. The training and checking may involve all personnel necessary to carry out the VEMS mission.