Regulation (EU) No 965/2012
This Subpart establishes the requirements to be met by the operator when operating an aircraft with technical crew members in commercial air transport helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS), night vision imaging system (NVIS) operations or helicopter hoist operations (HHO).
ORO.TC.105 Conditions for assignment to duties
Regulation (EU) No 965/2012
(a) Technical crew members in commercial air transport HEMS, HHO or NVIS operations shall only be assigned duties if they:
(1) are at least 18 years of age;
(2) are physically and mentally fit to safely discharge assigned duties and responsibilities;
(3) have completed all applicable training required by this Subpart to perform the assigned duties;
(4) have been checked as proficient to perform all assigned duties in accordance with the procedures specified in the operations manual.
(b) Before assigning to duties technical crew members who are self-employed and/or working on a freelance or part-time basis, the operator shall verify that all applicable requirements of this Subpart are complied with, taking into account all services rendered by the technical crew member to other operator(s) to determine in particular:
(1) the total number of aircraft types and variants operated;
(2) the applicable flight and duty time limitations and rest requirements.
(a) The technical crew member in HEMS, HHO or NVIS operations should undergo an initial medical examination or assessment and, if applicable, a re-assessment before undertaking duties.
(b) Any medical assessment or re-assessment should be carried out according to best aero-medical practice by a medical practitioner who has sufficiently detailed knowledge of the applicant’s medical history.
(c) The operator should maintain a record of medical fitness for each technical crew member.
(d) Technical crew members should:
(1) be in good health;
(2) be free from any physical or mental illness that might lead to incapacitation or inability to perform crew duties;
(3) have normal cardio-respiratory function;
(4) have normal central nervous system;
(5) have adequate visual acuity 6/9 with or without glasses;
(6) have adequate hearing; and
(7) have normal function of ear, nose and throat.
GENERAL
(a) The technical crew member in HEMS, HHO or NVIS operations should undergo an initial medical examination or assessment and, if applicable, a re-assessment before undertaking duties.
(b) Any medical assessment or re-assessment should be carried out according to best aero-medical practice by a medical practitioner who has sufficiently detailed knowledge of the applicant’s medical history.
(c) The operator should maintain a record of medical fitness for each technical crew member.
(d) Technical crew members should:
(1) be in good health;
(2) be free from any physical or mental illness that might lead to incapacitation or inability to perform crew duties;
(3) have normal cardio-respiratory function;
(4) have normal central nervous system;
(5) have adequate visual acuity 6/9 with or without glasses;
(6) have adequate hearing;
(7) have normal function of ear, nose and throat; and
(8) be colour safe for night operations.
(e) Validity of medical assessments and reassessments
(1) The medical assessment or reassessment of points (d)(1) to (d)(4) and (d)(6) and (d)(7) should have a validity period of:
(i) 60 months, until the technical crew member reaches the age of 40;
(ii) 24 months, for technical crew members aged above 40.
(2) The medical assessment or reassessment of point (d)(5) should have a validity period of:
(i) the duration defined in (e)(1)(i) and (e)(1)(ii), until the technical crew member reaches the age of 50;
(ii) 12 months, for technical crew members aged above 50.
(3) The medical assessment of point (d)(8) does not need to be repeated.
(f) A class 2 medical certificate issued in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/201171 Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 of 3 November 2011 laying down technical requirements and administrative procedures related to civil aviation aircrew pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 216/2008 of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 311, 25.11.2011, p. 1) (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX:32011R1178). meets the requirements of ORO.TC.105(a)(2).
(g) A LAPL medical certificate issued in accordance with Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011, complemented with timely medical reassessments of point (d)(5), meets the requirements of ORO.TC.105(a)(2).
ORO.TC.110 Training and checking
Regulation (EU) 2023/1020
(a) The operator shall establish a training programme in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Subpart to cover the duties and responsibilities to be performed by technical crew members.
(b) Following the completion of initial, operator conversion, differences and recurrent training, each technical crew member shall undergo a check to demonstrate their proficiency in carrying out normal and emergency procedures.
(c) Training and checking shall be conducted for each training course by personnel suitably qualified and experienced in the subject to be covered. The operator shall inform the competent authority about the personnel conducting the checks.
[applicable until 24 May 2024 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012]
(a) The operator shall establish a training programme in accordance with the applicable requirements of this Subpart to cover the duties and responsibilities to be performed by technical crew members.
(b) Following the completion of initial, operator conversion, and differences training, and following any required familiarisation flights, each technical crew member shall undergo a check to demonstrate their proficiency in carrying out normal and emergency procedures.
(c) Training and checking shall be conducted for each training course by personnel suitably qualified and experienced in the subject to be covered. The operator shall inform the competent authority about the personnel conducting the checks.
(d) The checks that follow the operator conversion training and any required familiarisation flights shall take place prior to operating as a required technical crew member in HEMS, HHO or NVIS operations.
(e) The validity of the technical crew member’s check to demonstrate their proficiency in carrying out normal and emergency procedures shall be 12 calendar months.
[applicable from 25 May 2024 — Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1020]
GENERAL
(a) Elements of training that require individual practice may be combined with practical checks.
(b) The checks should be accomplished by the method appropriate to the type of training including:
(1) practical demonstration;
(2) computer-based assessment;
(3) in-flight checks; and/or
(4) oral or written tests.
AMC2 ORO.TC.110 Training and checking
ED Decision 2023/007/R
VALIDITY PERIOD OF RECURRENT CHECKING
(a) The validity period should be counted from the end of the month when the checking was taken.
(b) When the checking is completed within the last 3 months of the validity period, the new validity period should be counted from the original expiry date.
CRM TRAINING
The technical crew training programme for initial, operator conversion and recurrent training should include relevant CRM training elements as specified in AMC1 ORO.FC.115.
Regulation (EU) No 965/2012
Before undertaking the operator conversion training, each technical crew member shall complete initial training, including:
(a) general theoretical knowledge on aviation and aviation regulations covering all elements relevant to the duties and responsibilities required of technical crew;
(b) fire and smoke training;
(c) survival training on ground and in water, appropriate to the type and area of operation;
(d) aero-medical aspects and first-aid;
(e) communication and relevant CRM elements of ORO.FC.115 and ORO.FC.215.
ELEMENTS
(a) The elements of initial training mentioned in ORO.TC.115 should include in particular:
(1) General theoretical knowledge on aviation and aviation regulations relevant to duties and responsibilities:
(i) the importance of crew members performing their duties in accordance with the operations manual;
(ii) continuing competence and fitness to operate as a crew member with special regard to flight and duty time limitations and rest requirements;
(iii) an awareness of the aviation regulations relating to crew members and the role of the competent and inspecting authority;
(iv) general knowledge of relevant aviation terminology, theory of flight, passenger distribution, meteorology and areas of operation;
(v) pre-flight briefing of the crew members and the provision of necessary safety information with regard to their specific duties;
(vi) the importance of ensuring that relevant documents and manuals are kept up-to-date with amendments provided by the operator;
(vii) the importance of identifying when crew members have the authority and responsibility to initiate an evacuation and other emergency procedures; and
(viii) the importance of safety duties and responsibilities and the need to respond promptly and effectively to emergency situations.
(2) Fire and smoke training:
(i) reactions to emergencies involving fire and smoke and identification of the fire sources;
(ii) the classification of fires and the appropriate type and techniques of application of extinguishing agents, the consequences of misapplication, and of use in a confined space; and
(iii) the general procedures of ground-based emergency services at aerodromes.
(3) When conducting extended overwater operations, water survival training, including the use of personal flotation equipment.
(4) Before first operating on an aircraft fitted with life-rafts or other similar equipment, training on the use of this equipment, including practice in water.
(5) Survival training appropriate to the areas of operation (e.g. polar, desert, jungle, sea or mountain).
(6) Aero-medical aspects and first aid, including:
(i) instruction on first aid and the use of first-aid kits; and
(ii) the physiological effects of flying.
(7) Effective communication between technical crew members and flight crew members, including common language and terminology.
(8) All elements of CRM training applicable to flight crew members operating in a multi-pilot environment, as described in AMC1 ORO.FC.115, with the following difference: CRM principles should be integrated into relevant parts of technical crew training and operations including checklists, briefings, abnormal and emergency procedures.
ORO.TC.120 Operator conversion training
Regulation (EU) No 965/2012
Each technical crew member shall complete:
(a) operator conversion training, including relevant CRM elements,
(1) before being first assigned by the operator as a technical crew member; or
(2) when changing to a different aircraft type or class, if any of the equipment or procedures mentioned in (b) are different.
(b) Operator conversion training shall include:
(1) the location and use of all safety and survival equipment carried on the aircraft;
(2) all normal and emergency procedures;
(3) on-board equipment used to carry out duties in the aircraft or on the ground for the purpose of assisting the pilot during HEMS, HHO or NVIS operations.
ELEMENTS
(a) Operator conversion training mentioned in ORO.TC.120(b) and differences training mentioned in ORO.TC.125(a) should include the following:
(1) Fire and smoke training, including practical training in the use of all fire fighting equipment as well as protective clothing representative of that carried in the aircraft. Each technical crew member should:
(i) extinguish a fire characteristic of an aircraft interior fire except that, in the case of Halon extinguishers, an alternative extinguishing agent may be used; and
(ii) practise the donning and use of protective breathing equipment (when fitted) in an enclosed, simulated smoke-filled environment.
(2) Practical training on operating and opening all normal and emergency exits for passenger evacuation in an aircraft or representative training device and demonstration of the operation of all other exits.
(3) Evacuation procedures and other emergency situations, including:
(i) recognition of planned or unplanned evacuations on land or water — this training should include recognition of unusable exits or unserviceable evacuation equipment;
(ii) in-flight fire and identification of fire source; and
(iii) other in-flight emergencies.
(4) When the flight crew is more than one, training on assisting if a pilot becomes incapacitated, including a demonstration of:
(i) the pilot's seat mechanism;
(ii) fastening and unfastening the pilot's seat restraint system;
(iii) use of the pilot's oxygen equipment, when applicable; and
(iv) use of pilots' checklists.
(5) Training on, and demonstration of, the location and use of safety equipment, including the following:
(i) life rafts, including the equipment attached to, and/or carried in, the raft, where applicable;
(ii) life jackets, infant life jackets and flotation devices, where applicable;
(iii) fire extinguishers;
(iv) crash axe or crow bar;
(v) emergency lights, including portable lights;
(vi) communication equipment, including megaphones;
(vii) survival packs, including their contents;
(viii) pyrotechnics (actual or representative devices);
(ix) first-aid kits, their contents and emergency medical equipment; and
(x) other safety equipment or systems, where applicable.
(6) Training on passenger briefing/safety demonstrations and preparation of passengers for normal and emergency situations.
(7) Training on the use of dangerous goods, if applicable.
(8) Task-specific training.
GENERAL
(a) The operator should determine the content of the conversion or differences training taking account of the technical crew member's previous training as documented in the technical crew member's training records.
(b) Aircraft conversion or differences training should be conducted according to a syllabus and include the use of relevant equipment and emergency procedures and practice on a representative training device or on the actual aircraft.
(c) The operator should specify in the operations manual the maximum number of types or variants that can be operated by a technical crew member.
ORO.TC.125 Differences training
Regulation (EU) No 965/2012
(a) Each technical crew member shall complete differences training when changing equipment or procedures on types or variants currently operated.
(b) The operator shall specify in the operations manual when such differences training is required.
ORO.TC.130 Familiarisation flights
Regulation (EU) 2023/1020
Following completion of the operator conversion training, each technical crew member shall undertake familiarisation flights prior to operating as a required technical crew member in HEMS, HHO or NVIS operations.
[applicable until 24 May 2024 — Regulation (EU) No 965/2012]
If the operator conversion training does not include training in an aircraft/FSTD, each technical crew member shall undertake familiarisation flights.
[applicable from 25 May 2024 — Implementing Regulation (EU) 2023/1020]
Regulation (EU) No 965/2012
(a) Within every 12-month period, each technical crew member shall undergo recurrent training relevant to the type or class of aircraft and equipment that the technical crew member operates. Elements of CRM shall be integrated into all appropriate phases of the recurrent training.
(b) Recurrent training shall include theoretical and practical instruction and practice.
ELEMENTS
(a) The 12-month period mentioned in ORO.TC.135(a) should be counted from the last day of the month when the first checking was made. Further training and checking should be undertaken within the last 3 calendar months of that period. The new 12-month period should be counted from the original expiry date.
[applicable until 24 May 2024 — ED Decision 2014/017/R]
(a) The 12-month period mentioned in ORO.TC.135(a) should be counted from the last day of the month when the first checking was made. Further training should be undertaken within the last 3 calendar months of that period. The new 12-month period should be counted from the original expiry date.
[applicable from 25 May 2024 — ED Decision 2023/007/R]
(b) The recurrent practical training should include every year:
(1) emergency procedures, including pilot incapacitation;
(2) evacuation procedures;
(3) touch-drills by each technical crew member for opening normal and emergency exits for (passenger) evacuation;
(4) the location and handling of emergency equipment and the donning by each technical crew member of life jackets and protective breathing equipment (PBE), when applicable;
(5) first aid and the contents of the first-aid kit(s);
(6) stowage of articles in the cabin;
(7) use of dangerous goods, if applicable;
(8) incident and accident review; and
(9) crew resource management: all major topics of the initial CRM training should be covered over a period not exceeding 3 years.
[applicable until 24 May 2024 — ED Decision 2014/017/R]
(b) The recurrent practical training should include every year:
(1) emergency procedures, including early identification of pilot incapacitation;
(2) evacuation procedures;
(3) touch-drills by each technical crew member for opening normal and emergency exits for (passenger) evacuation;
(4) the location and handling of emergency equipment and the donning by each technical crew member of life jackets and protective breathing equipment (PBE), when applicable;
(5) first aid and the contents of the first-aid kit(s);
(6) stowage of articles in the cabin;
(7) use of dangerous goods, if applicable;
(8) incident and accident review; and
(9) crew resource management: all topics of the initial CRM training should be covered over a period not exceeding 3 years.
[applicable from 25 May 2024 — ED Decision 2023/007/R]
(c) Recurrent training should include every 3 years:
(1) practical training on operating and opening all normal and emergency exits for passenger evacuation in an aircraft or representative training device and demonstration of the operation of all other exits;
(2) practical training in the use of all firefighting equipment as well as protective clothing representative of that carried in the aircraft. Each technical crew member should:
(i) extinguish a fire characteristic of an aircraft interior fire except that, in the case of Halon extinguishers, an alternative extinguishing agent may be used; and
(ii) practise the donning and use of protective breathing equipment (when fitted) in an enclosed, simulated smoke-filled environment;
(3) use of pyrotechnics (actual or representative devices); and
(4) demonstration of the use of the life raft, where fitted.
Regulation (EU) No 965/2012
(a) Each technical crew member who has not undertaken duties in the previous six months shall complete the refresher training specified in the operations manual.
(b) The technical crew member who has not performed flying duties on one particular aircraft type or class during the preceding six months shall, before being assigned on that type or class, complete either:
(1) refresher training on the type or class; or
(2) two familiarisation sectors on the aircraft type or class.
AMC1 ORO.TC.140 Refresher training
ED Decision 2014/017/R
ELEMENTS
(a) Refresher training may include familiarisation flights.
(b) Refresher training should include at least the following:
(1) emergency procedures, including pilot incapacitation;
(2) evacuation procedures;
(3) practical training on operating and opening all normal and emergency exits for passenger evacuation in an aircraft or representative training device and demonstration of the operation of all other exits; and
(4) the location and handling of emergency equipment, and the donning of life jackets and protective breathing equipment, when applicable.