A trio of helicopter trade associations–the Association of Air Medical Services, the Helicopter Association International and the Air Medical Operators Association–is recommending the FAA mandate night vision goggles, enhanced vision systems, or IFR-only operations for all night flights of EMS helicopters. The recommendations overlap many key advisories the NTSB made in 2006.

The industry proposals come on the heels of nine fatal helicopter EMS accidents since December 2007. They were also made one week before the NTSB held public hearings last month related to those accidents and overall HEMS safety.