Billy: there is a difference between HEMS and Air Ambulance. HEMS is a primary response to an immediate threat to life, Air Ambulance is a secondary role which allows for planning if necessary and the projected carriage of persons/equipment/organs etc. The former can be carried out by a government body such as the police. The latter can only be carried out by a commercial company under its individual AOC. That is why the police/HEMS units cannot do Air Ambulance! In exceptional circumstances "when ALL other modes of suitable transport have been exhausted" then a police unit can conduct an A Ambulance flight.
There are strict guidlines laid down in an AOC (HEMS unit) or PAOC (police unit) for performance requirements for land and take off. They are less restrictive than ANO / JAR 3 commercial equivalents but they do exist!
For us (police/HEMS) they are:
Class1 perf reqmnts and 2 x rotor and frame diameter (day) or 3 x the same (night). It goes on to discuss obstructions/clearences/heights etc, but this is basically it.
We don't just 'lob in' because we're the cavalry coming to the rescue!!!
It is recognised as THE most dangerous aspect of government ops (the landing/take off) and believe me it is strictly monitored. Don't be lulled into thinking: "ooh I'm saving lives therefore I am immune" Look what just happened to our ability to save lives over hostile territory lately???The rules have changed! The attitudes, I suspect, haven't
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