Helicopter hospital emergency medical evacuation service (HEMES)

This regulation sets flight and duty time limits specifically for helicopter crewmembers working hospital-based emergency medical service (HEMES) assignments.

Flight time is capped at 500 hours per quarter, 800 hours in any two consecutive quarters, and 1,400 hours per year. Before starting a HEMES assignment at a hospital, crewmembers must have at least 10 consecutive hours of rest.

During a HEMES assignment, crewmembers are limited to 8 flight hours in any 24-hour period (though emergencies may extend this) and must receive at least 8 consecutive hours of rest within each 24-hour period. The assignment itself cannot exceed 72 consecutive hours at the hospital, and adequate rest facilities must be provided nearby. No other duties can be assigned during HEMES work.

After completing an assignment, pilots need 12 hours rest (if under 48 hours) or 16 hours rest (if over 48 hours). Additionally, crewmembers must receive at least thirteen 24-hour rest periods each quarter.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*