G Box - Take it from me that the CAA have decided that winching will fall under JAR 3.005(h). It is therefore an EASA issue.
The MET have 3 x 145's ALL with hard points, but only ONE winch, which for the time being is collecting dust in their hangar.
Until/unless they:
(a) get the rules changed - very unlikely. [One unit against EASA, from a country (UK) which doesnt want to go full blown EASA. Where all other european units dont need to comply with JAR 3 anyway???].
(b) change their operating status - possible and in my opinion the only way fwd. (Paramilitary).
(c) use an a/c that can comply with 3005(h) in toto.
Flaxton Flyer - well said and possibly the most intelligent of responses so far!
One can undertake winching (in anger) due to the exemption which is annexed to 3005h. [HEMS site]. And like other acts of heroism - the 'authorities' (to some extent), allow for "heroic" actions:
Police helo picking persons off a flooded camp site caravan roof.
Police helo dragging a female suicide (attempt) ashore.
Police picking person out of lake prior to drowning.
HEMS picking person off car roof stranded in flash flooded river.
All of these have been "accepted" by the CAA but behind the scenes, communications between the Police, ambulance authorities/Home Office and CAA were RED HOT!
It is frowned upon because the emergency services helicopters in this country are not REPEAT not paramilitary rescue vehicles like ALL those in Europe. We are unique in that we are public transport aircraft operating under a (P) AOC. We have to comply like every other AOC operator in the UK. Our only exemptions are weather and height related - none of which DIRECTLY affect the safety of our passengers.
Great topic.
