4 Major Tips for Improving Air Ambulance Safety

Posted on December 28, 2017

Over the years air ambulance safety cultures have developed to include more technology. Today, air medical transport organizations address critical human factors by incorporating comprehensive safety management systems. In 2010, the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) developed a series of policies and practices which included programs for the air medical transport companies that involved risk management, installation of data recorders, radar ailments and integration of an operation control center.

By nature, each air medical flight is unique. The medical community along with air medical agencies and the air medical transport companies play a vital role in promoting the culture of safety to ensure the security of their patients, flight crew and medical professionals. After the recommendations put forth by NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board), the FAA directed a series of air ambulance safety criteria. Here are four things that ensure air ambulance safety:

 

1. Catering to Time & Pilot Fatigue

Flight time, pilot duty and rest rules took special consideration of FAA when they developed air ambulance safety rules. Based on fatigue science, high priority was given to pilot fatigue and aggressive timelines were structured to ensure that the pilots receive ample of rest before a flight. Further it was implemented that pilot applicants were to voluntarily disclose their complete FAA records, including evaluations and disapproval notices from past employers to air medical transport operators they applied to.

 

2. Flight Crew & Pilot Experience

Flight crew and pilot training includes inadvertent instrument flying in adverse weather conditions. Air medical transport companies that cater to air ambulance safety require periodic FAA-approved scenario-based simulator training. Accredited air medical transport operators have a structured flight data monitoring program and install flight data recording devices that help identify potential safety issues. The flight-crew and pilots are also required to receive scenario-based training which includes training for the usage of flight devices and simulators.

 

3. Training & Safety Management

The FAA has remained committed to improving the performance of the air medical transport industry. They have been working to put forward only the best trained pilots while keeping a vigilant check on their performance, quality, scope of training and experience. Traditional training programs have been enhanced and public input is taken into consideration to enhance the pilot certification process. Flight crew and pilot training programs provide an organized method for controlling air ambulance safety hazards and risks.

 

Avionics Technology & Stimulators

Autopilot and stability augmentation system provides safety and dramatically reduces the pilot’s workload. It offers a safer and more confident command under all kinds of conditions. Even pilots with less experience have successfully hovered air medical transport equipped with autopilot and aviation technology.

The FAA along with the GA (General Aviation) community has also been educating pilots regarding the best practices to calculate and predict aircraft performance. Keeping pilot fatigue and performance in account, FADEC systems have been introduced which are autonomous and allow pilots to constantly monitor the health of the aircraft. These systems were specifically introduced to avoid Loss of Control accidents and to save lives. Now pilots from various air medical transport companies are working with teams of experts to learn solutions that prevent Loss of Control. But how do you know which air medical transport operator provides complete air ambulance safety?

Only a fully accredited air medical transport operator that is FAA-certified like AirMed can ensure air ambulance safety for their patients and flight crew.

We are an award winning air medical transport provider who have been delivering on our mission of an uncompromised standard of medical and critical patient care for over 25 years now. We are fully accredited by CAMTS and EURAMI, certified by FAA and NAACS and are proud to be part of the United States Department of Defense Air Transport Program. Our air medical jets are fully equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and our certified medical teams work seamlessly to provide you impeccable services 24/7/365. This is why when you choose us as your air medical transport provider, we ensure that your patient receives unparalleled air ambulance safety and medical care.