French Doctors Propose Using Trained Paramedic As Second Flight Crewmember

AFHSH, the French Association of doctors who use helicopter EMS, has proposed using trained paramedics to satisfy new European rules that will mandate a second crewmember for HEMS operations beginning in October next year. According to the association, the additional cost of a second pilot would be prohibitive for hospitals. Therefore, it proposes training a paramedic for those missions when a “second pair of eyes” is needed in the front seats, but only in VMC. Under the AFHSH’s proposal, the person seated next to the pilot would be tasked only with helping him “see and avoid” during the landing phase.