EASA publishes Opinion to modernise EU regulatory framework for HEMS operations

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency has published Opinion No 08/2022, proposing to modernise the European Union’s  aviation regulatory framework on Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS flights), so as to increase safety and foster efficiency and proportionality while keeping the economic impact on HEMS operators to a minimum.

The Opinion proposes revised requirements in respect of:

  • flights to/from public interest sites (PISs) located in congested areas;
  • helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) flights by day or by night in relation to equipment, training, operating minima, and operating site/hospital site features;
  • HEMS requirements for high-altitude operations; and
  • a new HEMS concept to cover mountain operations and rescue operations, other than search and rescue (SAR) operations.