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GM2 SPA.VEMS.130 Crew requirements
ED Decision 2025/010/R
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
VEMS TECHNICAL CREW MEMBER TRAINING TRAINING TOPIC | Trainee with PPL(H)* | Trainee with PPL(A)** | Other trainee |
(1)Applicable laws and regulations |
| ||
(i) Introduction to the regulatory framework applicable to VEMS operations, including SERA |
| X | |
(ii)VEMS requirements | X | X | X |
(iii) Public interest sites (PISs), if applicable | X | X | X |
(2)VCA general knowledge | |||
(i) Stowage, cabin safety and use of on-board medical equipment | |||
(A)safe storage of loose personal objects and medical equipment | X | ||
(B)securing patients on the EMS stretcher (if applicable) | X | X | X |
(C)influence of medical equipment usage (e.g. defibrillator) on VCA systems | X | X | X |
(ii) General knowledge of VCA operations | |||
(A)general principles of flight | X | X | |
(B)VCA mass and balance | X | ||
(C)VCA performance (including CSFL capability and operations) | X | X | X |
(D)location and design of normal and emergency systems and equipment, including all VCA lights and operation of doors |
| X | |
(E)intercommunication system | X | ||
(3)Meteorology | |||
(i)meteorology as relevant to the operating area | X | ||
(ii)meteorology as a limiting factor for mission planning/execution | X | ||
(4)Operational procedures | |||
(i)operator’s procedures | |||
(A)the relevant extracts of the organisation’s management manual and operations manual | X | X | X |
(B)operational control and supervision | X | X | X |
(ii)duties in the VEMS role | |||
(A)duties of the technical crew member before flight, during all flight phases, and post-flight duties | X | X | X |
(B)legal aspects of tasks delegated by the PIC | X | X | X |
(iii)response to VEMS dispatch | |||
(A)flight planning, preparation, and in-flight operations | X | X | X |
(iv)VEMS operating site selection and use | |||
(A)minimum dimensions or equivalent criteria | X | X | X |
(B)effects of downwash (outwash) | X | X | X |
(C)accessibility | X | X | X |
(v)patients (if applicable) | |||
(A)aspects of VEMS operating site selection for patient transport | X | X | X |
(B)patient onloading/offloading | X | X | X |
(C)medical consequences of air transport on patients, including influence of noise, vibration, air pressure and temperature | X | X | X |
(D)consequences of hospital selection on flight (endurance, weather) | X | X | X |
(E)knowledge of hospital casualty reception | X | X | X |
(vi)portable electronic devices (PEDs) and electronic flight bags (EFBs), as applicable | X | X | X |
(5)Crew coordination, including checklists | |||
(i)crew concept | X | X | X |
(ii)checklist reading philosophy, initiation, interruptions, and termination | X | X | X |
(iii)communication and call-outs | X | X | X |
(iv)effective use of intercommunications system | X | X | X |
(v)early identification of pilot incapacitation | X | X | X |
(vi)debriefing | X | X | X |
(6)Human performance and limitations, CRM: as per AMC1 ORO.FC.115 | X | X | X |
(7)Flight safety | |||
(i)general flight safety in VCA operations | |||
(A)if necessary, noise protection for crew members embarking/disembarking with lift and thrust units powered on | X | X | |
(B)the dangers to self and others posed by turning rotors or turning propellers or other rotating parts; familiarisation with hazard areas of the VCA | X | X | |
(C)effects of downwash (outwash) on persons and objects | X | X | |
(D)dangers of turning rotors or turning propellers or other rotating parts hitting objects on ground and in flight | X | X | |
(E)safety at the VEMS operating site | X | X | |
(F)safety at other landing sites, including the VEMS operating base and diversion locations | X | X | |
(ii)obstacle and traffic clearance | |||
(A)importance of lookout for collision avoidance and associated call-outs | X | ||
(B)application of sterile flight crew compartment procedures during critical phases of flight | X | ||
(C)identification of obstacles and conflicting terrain | X | ||
(iii)handling of abnormal and emergency situations, including checklists | |||
(A)necessary coordination procedures between flight and technical/other crew members, including checklists, as applicable | X | X | X |
(B)early identification of pilot incapacitation | X | X | X |
(C)emergency evacuation | X | X | X |
(iv)dangerous goods (DG), as relevant for VEMS operations | |||
(A)DG that might be in medical passengers’ luggage, including oxygen, if not part of the cabin design | X | ||
(B)awareness of DG that might be in patients’ or other passengers’ luggage, backpacks or clothes | X | ||
(8)Security | |||
(i)Operator’s security programme | X | X | X |
(iiVEMS operating sites and operating bases | X | X | X |
* 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
VEMS TECHNICAL CREW MEMBER MONITORING TRAINING TRAINING TOPIC | Trainee with PPL(H)* | Trainee with PPL(A)** | Other trainee |
(1)General knowledge of VCA operations |
| ||
(i)general knowledge of VCA structure, power plant, systems, instruments, and airworthiness |
| X | X |
(ii)limitations, normal and abnormal procedures, including CSFL capability | X | X | X |
(2)Monitoring function | |||
(i)assignment of flight crew compartment tasks | X | X | X |
(ii)parameters the VEMS technical crew member is tasked to monitor | X | X | X |
(iii flight path monitoring in the context of collision avoidance and, if applicable, navigation | X | X | X |
(3)Crew coordination | |||
(i)assignment of monitoring tasks | X | X | X |
(ii)emphasis on call-outs and actions resulting from the monitoring process | X | X | X |
(4)Handling of abnormal and emergency situations, as applicable | |||
(i)definition of warnings, cautions and advisories | X | ||
(ii)identification of malfunctions (visual and aural) | X | ||
(iii) selection of appropriate abnormal or emergency procedure in the checklist | X | ||
(iv)abnormal or emergency procedures checklist reading | X | ||
(v)monitoring of critical actions | X | ||
(vi)distress call and other means of emergency signalling | X |
* 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.
GM3 SPA.VEMS.130 Crew requirements
ED Decision 2025/010/R
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.
GM4 SPA.VEMS.130 Crew requirements
ED Decision 2025/010/R
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.
SPA.VEMS.135 Briefing of medical passengers and of other personnel
Regulation (EU) 2024/1111
(a)Medical passengers. Prior to any VEMS flight, or series of VEMS flights, medical passengers shall be briefed to ensure they are familiar with the VEMS working environment and equipment, can operate on-board emergency equipment, and can take part in normal and emergency entry and exit procedures.
(b)Ground emergency service personnel. Where ground emergency service personnel are employed, the IAM operator shall take all necessary measures to ensure that such personnel are familiar with the VEMS working environment and equipment, and the risks associated with ground operations at a VEMS operating site.
(c)Medical patients. Notwithstanding point UAM.OP.MVCA.170 of Annex IX (Part-IAM), a briefing shall be held only if the medical condition of the medical patient renders it practicable.
AMC1 SPA.VEMS.135 Briefing of VEMS medical passengers and of other personnel
ED Decision 2025/010/R
BRIEFING OF VEMS MEDICAL PASSENGER
The briefing should ensure that the medical passenger understands their role in the operation, which includes:
(a)familiarisation with the VCA type(s) operated;
(b)VCA entry and exit under normal and emergency conditions both for self and patients;
(c)the use of relevant on-board specialist medical equipment;
(d)the need for the PIC’s approval prior to the use of specialised equipment;
(e)the method of supervision of other medical staff;
(f)the use of VCA intercommunication systems;
(g)the location and use of on-board fire extinguishers; and
(h)the operator’s crew coordination concept, including relevant elements of crew resource management (CRM).
AMC2 SPA.VEMS.135 Briefing of VEMS medical passengers and of other personnel
ED Decision 2025/010/R
GROUND EMERGENCY SERVICE PERSONNEL
(a)The VCA operator should provide assistance as regards training of ground emergency service personnel who are tasked with VEMS support. This can be achieved by various means, such as but not limited to the production of flyers, the publication of relevant information on the operator’s website, the development of applications, and the provision of extracts from the operator’s operations manual.
(b)The elements that should be covered include:
(1)two-way radio communication procedures with VCA;
(2)the selection of suitable VEMS operating sites for VEMS flights;
(3)the physical danger areas of VCA;
(4)crowd control in respect of VCA operations; and
(5)the evacuation of VCA occupants following an on-site VCA accident.
GM1 SPA.VEMS.135 Briefing of VEMS medical passengers and of other personnel
ED Decision 2025/010/R
GROUND EMERGENCY SERVICE PERSONNEL
(a)When applying AMC2 SPA.VEMS.135, the VEMS operator may describe the following items:
(1)Definitions: List of applicable definitions and abbreviations
(2)VCA
(i)Type(s) of VCA in use and layout(s), such as doors for onloading and offloading with text(s), figure(s) or photo(s); and
(ii)Hazardous areas with figure(s) or photo(s), with emphasis on the risk posed by turning rotors or turning propellers or other rotating parts, as well as from sloping terrain.
(3)Types, and selection, of VEMS operating sites as applicable to the operation
(i)Various types of VEMS operating sites; for example, roads, mountains, gardens, fields, mountain ledges, steep terrain, football fields, school yards, pre-surveyed sites.
(ii)Advantages and disadvantages, hazards (for example, weather and light conditions, the use of flashlights/searchlights, surface, dust, snow, fixed and loose obstacles, wires, downwash (outwash), open fires/fireplaces, traffic and bystanders), limitations and procedures associated with the various types of VEMS operating sites.
(iii)Challenges related to weather (temperature, wind, fog, low clouds, rain, snow) and light conditions.
(iv)VEMS operating site dimension(s) for the different type(s) of VCA with text(s), figure(s) or photo(s).
(v)How to illuminate the VEMS operating site from the ground.
(vi)Light on skid/wheel.
(vii)Signals from the ground to the VCA.
(viii)Special hazards related to fire or chemical, biological, or radiological accidents and the importance of selecting a safe VEMS operating site(s) for the protection of both ground emergency services personnel and crew.
(ix)Communication between the ground emergency services personnel and VCA during landing (radio communication or hand signals).
(b)The operator may make available a short checklist, covering, for example, the following actions:
(1)establish communication;
(2)select operating site;
(3)secure the operating site (public / bystanders / crowd control / obstacles / loose objects); and
(4)communicate with the VCA the position of/how to identify the operating site, weather, and hazards.
(c)Operators in the same operating area should collaborate when developing checklists and when describing the items covered in AMC2 SPA.VEMS.135.
SPA.VEMS.140 Information, procedures and documentation
Regulation (EU) 2024/1111
(a)The IAM operator shall assess, mitigate and minimise the risks associated with the VEMS environment as part of its risk analysis and management process. The IAM operator shall describe its mitigating measures, including operating procedures, in the operations manual.
(b)The IAM operator shall ensure that the pilot-in-command (PIC) assesses specific risks associated with a particular VEMS flight.
(c)Relevant extracts from the operations manual shall be made available to the organisation for which the VEMS operation is being provided.
AMC1 SPA.VEMS.140 Information, procedures and documentation
ED Decision 2025/010/R
OPERATIONS MANUAL
The operations manual should include all the following:
(a)the on-board use of portable equipment;
(b)guidance on take-off and landing procedures at non-pre-surveyed VEMS operating sites;
(c)the final reserve fuel/energy, in accordance with point UAM.OP.VCA.191;
(d)operating minima;
(e)recommended routes for regular flights to pre-surveyed VEMS operating sites, including the minimum flight altitude;
(f)guidance on the selection of a VEMS operating site in the case of a VEMS flight to a non-pre-surveyed VEMS operating site;
(g)the safety altitude for the area overflown;
(h)abnormal procedures, including procedures to be followed in case of inadvertent entry into cloud;
(i)operational dispatch criteria;
(j)a description of the crew composition for all phases of flight and conditions, standard operating procedures for the described crew composition, including any procedures to ensure the continuity of the crew concept;
(k)flight crew and technical crew training and checking syllabi, as required by point SPA.VEMS.130.
AMC2 SPA.VEMS.140 Information, procedures and documentation
ED Decision 2025/010/R
VEMS RISK ASSESSMENT
The operator’s VEMS risk assessment should take into account, but should not be limited to, all the following:
(a)adequate ground reference;
(b)reliability of weather reporting facilities;
(c)crew composition, minimum crew qualification, initial and recurrent training;
(d)flight time limitations and crew fatigue;
(e)operating procedures, including crew coordination;
(f)weather minima;
(g)VCA equipment;
(h)additional considerations due to specific local conditions;
(i)location and availability of diversion locations;
(j)CSFL compliance, both for pre-flight planning and in-flight replanning.
GM1 SPA.VEMS.140(b) Information, procedures and documentation
ED Decision 2025/010/R
VEMS TACTICAL RISK ASSESSMENT
The tactical risk assessment of a VEMS flight by the PIC may be included in the daily briefing and amended as necessary.
The following may be considered:
(a)operating environment, including airspace, local geography and availability of diversion locations;
(b)weather;
(c)NOTAMs;
(d)VCA performance;
(e)VCA equipment and defects, MEL, and medical equipment;
(f)fuel/energy planning;
(g)crew fatigue, recency and qualifications;
(h)dispatch criteria;
(i)tasking, roles and responsibilities;
(j)in-flight replanning;
(k)relevant threats.
SPA.VEMS.145 Facilities at the VEMS operating base
Regulation (EU) 2024/1111
(a)If crew members are required to be on standby with a reaction time of less than 45 minutes, dedicated suitable accommodation shall be provided close to each VEMS operating base.
(b)At each VEMS operating base, the flight crew shall be granted access to facilities for obtaining current and forecast weather information and shall be provided with adequate communications with the appropriate air traffic service (ATS) units. Adequate facilities shall be available for the planning of all related tasks.
SPA.VEMS.150 Fuelling /defuelling / battery charging / battery swapping while passengers are embarking, on board, or disembarking
Regulation (EU) 2024/1111
Refuelling /defuelling /battery charging or battery swapping procedures with either lift and thrust units powered on or off shall only be performed in accordance with point UAM.OP.MVCA.200 or point UAM.OP.MVCA.205 as applicable.
AMC1 SPA.VEMS.150 Fuelling / defuelling / battery charging / battery swapping while passengers are embarking, on board, or disembarking
ED Decision 2025/010/R
The VEMS operator should comply with point UAM.OP.MVCA.200 or point UAM.OP.MVCA.205, as applicable, considering that medical personnel, ill or injured persons and other persons directly involved and technical crew may be embarking, on board, or disembarking during fuelling, defuelling, battery charging, and/or battery swapping.
SPA.VEMS.155 Aircraft tracking system
Regulation (EU) 2024/1111
The IAM operator shall establish and maintain a monitored aircraft tracking system for VEMS operations for the entire duration of the VEMS flight.
AMC1 SPA.VEMS.155 Aircraft tracking system
ED Decision 2025/010/R
GENERAL
(a)The operator should track and monitor VEMS flights from take-off to landing.
(b)The operator should establish a detailed procedure describing how the aircraft tracking system is to be monitored, what actions are to be taken if a deviation or anomaly has been detected, and when those actions are to be taken.
OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE
(c)The operational procedure should take into account the following aspects:
(1)the outcome of the risk assessment conducted when the frequency of position reports was defined;
(2)the local environment of the intended operations; and
(3)the interface with the operator’s emergency response plan.
(d)Aircraft tracking data should be recorded on the ground and retained for at least 48 hours. Following an accident or a serious incident subject to investigation, the data should be retained for at least 30 days, and the operator should provide a copy of this data without delay.