Flying Bull and Skadi,
Flying about 250 hrs a year seems to be OK. I have thought for my self that 200 hrs a year is kind of "safe limit" for sufficient flying (haven't thought the number in missions per year, but this of course is of big importance in HEMS operation).
In the JAA world where there is no commonly agreed Subpart Q in the JAR-OPS3, most of the member countries have made their own national legislation dealing with Working time. As I understand the working time legislation covered on SubQ JAR-OPS3 should be effective for JAR-OPS Opertion. In some countries now the National Working Time legislation covers ALL flying. I.e. itīs not possible to freelance for example as an instructor (Charter, Aerial Work and Flight Instruction considered as Working time).
This will have the consequense that pilots that are doing HEMS can only do this as the duty time will be full (all stand-by time calculated as working time). No freelancing possible. Pilots who are instructors as well have no chance to keep current their FI rating what comes to the flight experience set out in the JAR-FCL2.
So, the question will be:
Is a pilot that flying HEMS/SAR current and safe with an absolute maximum annual flying time of lets say 130 hrs. a year/ 60-80 missions a year in a multi-crew role which about half of the time is spent as PNF??
All opinions welcome!
PS.Is there anybody out there who knows what the future is for the JAR-OPS 3 Subpart Q?