Changes to EASA rules could allow greater flexibility for single-pilot helicopter operations, with proposals now submitted for final approaval.
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A recently published EASA Opinion of recommended actions to take on several proposed amendments has been submitted to the European Commission, which will decide whether to adopt the amendments as regulations. Among the proposals submitted to the EC is an amendment to increase the age limit for pilots flying single-pilot helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operations.
“Research results showed that extending the age limit for commercial air transportation pilots flying single-pilot operations from 60 years to the pilot’s 65th birthday would be possible subject to mitigating measures,” the European air safety agency said in the Opinion document.
Furthermore, the proposed age limit alleviation would not be limited to HEMS flights but would be extended to other activities performed by the respective pilot with the HEMS aircraft, such as ferry flights, and other operations that no longer qualify as HEMS but qualify as air ambulance “to limit the operational disruptions caused by the need to change the pilot.”
Another set of amendments aim to and clarify the regulations for operating single-pilot airplanes in otherwise multi-pilot operations, “particularly, to no longer require license endorsements related to the form of operation, and to leave the administration of single-pilot and multi-pilot privileges to the operator for which a pilot is flying.”
Commenters noted that such a solution had already been largely introduced for helicopter type ratings and it was suggested that the requirements for airplane and helicopter type ratings should be aligned in this regard. In response, the draft amendments for license endorsements related to multipilot operation in single-pilot aircraft apply to both airplanes and helicopters.
The Opinion also gives EASA’s responses to commentators who engaged in the rulemaking process during the consultation period.
EASA Could Increase Pilot Age Limit For HEMS Operations
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A recently published EASA Opinion of recommended actions to take on several proposed amendments has been submitted to the European Commission, which will decide whether to adopt the amendments as regulations. Among the proposals submitted to the EC is an amendment to increase the age limit for pilots flying single-pilot helicopter emergency medical services (HEMS) operations.
“Research results showed that extending the age limit for commercial air transportation pilots flying single-pilot operations from 60 years to the pilot’s 65th birthday would be possible subject to mitigating measures,” the European air safety agency said in the Opinion document.
Furthermore, the proposed age limit alleviation would not be limited to HEMS flights but would be extended to other activities performed by the respective pilot with the HEMS aircraft, such as ferry flights, and other operations that no longer qualify as HEMS but qualify as an air ambulance “to limit the operational disruptions caused by the need to change the pilot.”
Another set of amendments aim to clarify the regulations for operating single-pilot airplanes in otherwise multi-pilot operations, “particularly, to no longer require license endorsements related to the form of operation, and to leave the administration of single-pilot and multi-pilot privileges to the operator for which a pilot is flying.”