As far as I am aware....
... given the speed with which EASA is changing things, you would be allowed to operate without an OEI capability on a primary HEMS mission, this would apply to any hoisting ops too provided your national regulator had given approval. The problem is you can't achieve competence without:
a. Proper training and
b. constant practice.
For training and practice you need to be OEI capable as you are not on a live primary HEMS mission.
The problem is that given the host of different possible winching scenarios it's near impossible to get the hoist op and winch-man fully trained. It's the dilemma that haunts the SAR world too. At least they practice nearly every day so by all means deliver the medical team (see caveat below) but call in the experts when you need more complex winching ops. Dangling a couple of people on a wire looks easy but you would be surprised how many things can go wrong.
In a recent accident in Italy the crew were using the winch to position the medical crew and touched the cable on a live power line. The winch wire broke as a result. The two on the end of the wire fell about 20 feet and became the new patients. You can see that even that comparatively simple task - lowering two bods to the ground - can bite you in the arse if you don't have 'experience'.
You cannot teach experience but the next generation of simulators will be capable of allowing a lot more role training and i'm sure a hoisting trainer will be on their list.
G.
PS just read Crab's post. I empathise with his viewpoint but when flying HEMS the constant dilemma is finding suitable ad hoc landing sites and sometimes the 'risk management' issue slides the balance in favour of having a hoisting capability. Mission creep is an issue though. The very nature of the job means that adaptability and ingenuity are in the mix too. That also applies to SAR. In both cases you never know what you will face when you walk out the door.
Last edited by Geoffersincornwall; 13th Oct 2015 at 05:11.
Reason: PS