Last month, after years of prodding from the NTSB and extensive consultation with the industry, the FAA issued its much anticipated notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM) that tightens the equipment, training and operational requirements for helicopter EMS providers in the name of safety. However, the 133-page NPRM doesn’t stop with the helicopter EMS community. Much like a piece of congressional omnibus budget legislation, it “Christmas trees” items not related to helicopter EMS, hanging on the NPRM new regulatory ornaments that also cover all Part 91 and Part 135 helicopter operators, as well as revamping load manifest requirements for everyone flying Part 135–rotary and fixed wing.
Conversely, the NPRM does contain alternate means of compliance on certain training and operational issues, differentiating some requirements for small and larger operators and making allowances for local pilot knowledge when it comes to weather minimums.