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Thu Nov 20 22:24:55 GMT 2008

If I can get the time off of work, I will be there.

On Thu, Nov 20, 2008 at 5:22 PM, John Annen <rjannen at yahoo.com> wrote:

> Another story from Avweb.com's Avweb Flash - this one published today,
> Thursday  20th November 2008. The original artical, with the hyperlinks
> intact, can be found at
> http://www.avweb.com/eletter/archives/avflash/1258-full.html#199236.
>
> Out of curiosity, is anyone from the list planning to attend the NTSB's
> publich hearing on HEMS safety in February?
>
> FAA Invites Comment On Changes In HEMS Rules
>
> The FAA has revised its rules that govern the operation of helicopter
> emergency medical services (HEMS), and has invited comment on the changes.
> The changes were made because the FAA determined "that safety in air
> commerce and the public interest requires additional hazard mitigation for
> HEMS operations," according to the FAA notice published on Friday. The
> revisions specify that HEMS pilots must determine a minimum safe cruise
> altitude during pre-flight planning by identifying and documenting
> obstructions and terrain along the planned flight path. HEMS pilots must
> also determine in pre-flight planning the minimum ceiling and visibility
> required to conduct the flight. The revised rules allow HEMS operations
> under IFR at landing areas without weather reporting only if an approved
> weather reporting source is located within 15 nm of the landing area or if
> an area forecast is available. The full text of the changes can be viewed in
> PDF files: Click here for
>  Operations Specifications A021 and click here for A050. Comments must be
> received by Dec.
> 15. For more details, click here for the full text of the FAA notice.
>
> The NTSB has also expressed concern about the safety of HEMS operations,
> and recently announced plans for a public hearing on the issue, Feb. 3-5,
> 2009, at its Washington headquarters. The board said the hearing is aimed at
> educating the board on the operational challenges of EMS services and
> helping members figure out how to stem the rising tide of accidents. "We
> have seen an alarming rise in the numbers of EMS accidents and the Safety
> Board believes some of these accidents could have been prevented if our
> [previous] recommendations were implemented," says member Robert Sumwalt,
> who will chair the hearing. "This hearing will be extremely important
> because it can provide an opportunity to learn more about the industry so
> that possibly we can make further recommendations that can prevent these
> accidents and save lives." The proceedings will be webcast live. For more
> info, and a link to the webcast, go to the NTSB Web site.
>
>
>
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-- 
Stephen L. Richey, CRT
Aviation Injury Research Project Leader
Saginaw Valley State University
Work E-mail: slrichey at svsu.edu
Home Office Phone: 248-366-4452

"Hier stehe ich. Ich kann nicht anders. Gott helfe mir. Amen."- Martin
Luther, before the Diet of Worms, 16. April 1521

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FAA Invites Comment On Changes In HEMS Rules