HEMS pilot training: A normative analysis of regulatory requirements and a model qualification pathway

Abstract

Background: Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) places high demands on pilots-in-command. At the same time, European aviation law does not provide a continuous training program that directly qualifies pilots for the role of HEMS pilot-in-command. Rather, qualification is based on a combination of license acquisition, experience building and additional aviation qualifications.

Method: Normative analysis of the relevant European aviation law with regard to the requirements for HEMS pilots-in-command, in particular license acquisition, training requirements, experience, training and checking of HEMS pilots, and adjacent flight operational aspects.

Results: European aviation law formulates in SPA.HEMS.130 both the normative threshold for operational readiness and the flight skills to be achieved, while the qualification path between licence acquisition and fulfilment of this threshold is not formalized. Based on the identified training and experience requirements, a qualification path is derived which, after the CPL course and the acquisition of Multi Crew Cooperation (MCC) and type rating, focuses on the structured accumulation of experience as a co-pilot in HEMS operations. Instrument rating and night vision training are currently optional.

Discussion/Conclusion: This paper establishes, for the first time, a systematic link between pilot license course and HEMS-specific operational requirements, maps the existing research gap and forms a normative basis for further empirical studies on the feasibility and evaluation of the proposed qualification pathway.