Chapter 2: Flight operations General
The following are Operational control
if you wish to skip to Chapter 3. Flight operations - helicopter
... [Show More] specific, you can begin studying on flash card number 136.
...
Air methods utilizes a two-tier system of operational control. What are the two tiers
Tier 1: managers and directors, 4 1 1 pilot computer system, flight followers and operational control center.
Tier 2: The pilot in command exercises operational control and final authority over the operation of the aircraft
What system validates the pilots requirements, crew rest, and currency? It also issues an electronic flight release valid for the duration of the pilot's shift
4 1 1 pilot computer system
What are the two types of offsite communication centers for flight following utilized by air methods?
1. H B S - hospital based system, located near their own base and staffed by non-air methods employees.
2. Community based system - staffed with air method employees and centralized in Omaha Nebraska, called Aircom, and Arch which is located in St. Louis Missouri
Adverse or cold-weather operations
...
Examples of when the pilot may fly into knowing icing conditions under V F R or into knowing forecast icing conditions under I F R
V F R - The forecast or report for icing in clouds or precipitation would allow a V F R flight so long as the pilot could operate clear of clouds and precipitation.
I F R - only if the aircraft being operated is equipped and certified for flight into known icing conditions
Temperature and Cold weather considerations for protecting medical equipment supplies, avionics, and other interior furnishings from the cold.
50°F or less. This heater should only be operated during ground, non-operating conditions
What do you do when forecast winds reach or exceed the starting limits of the aircraft?
The main and tail rotor blades will be restrained and secured to the deck.
When must the aircraft be Hangard due to wind considerations
When forecast winds reach 40 knots
What are your precipitation considerations when dealing with adverse weather?
When forecast contains freezing rain, hail, or heavy snow, the aircraft will be safely relocated prior to the occurrence of forecast conditions
What are the proximity and movement considerations in regards to adverse weather
When a weather systems movement or proximity of the hazardous weather requires an exercise of caution to protect the aircraft from potential damage, the P I C shall safely relocate the aircraft to a safe location as outlined in the local procedures.
Aircraft training and currency requirements
...
What is the procedure for requesting additional training?
Request shall be coordinated through the appropriate chain of command with final approval from the chief pilot
As P I C you have not flown in the specific make, model or series aircraft in the last 60 days what must you accomplish?
As a minimum you must accomplish one start and three takeoffs and landings
As P I C you have not flown on your specific make, model, or series aircraft in the last 90 days. What must you do?
You must notify the Regional Aviation Manager to determine if any training is needed for the pilot to perform competently and safely in that aircraft.
If you have not fallen over a route and into an airport/heliport within the preceding 90 days what must you do?
Study the appropriate I F R enroute or V F R aeronautical charts, destination airport/heliport diagrams, appropriate I F R approach charts for destination and alternate, if applicable
Airport Requirements and Diagrams
...
What are the three requirements for night operations in regards to airport requirements?
1. Determine the wind direction prior to take off and landing.
2. Boundary or runway lights clearly show limits of landing and takeoff area.
3. Night is defined as the period from end of evening civil twilight to the beginning of morning civil twilight.
Before start/before take off confirmation check
...
Prior to start and lift off what must each pilot do in regards to the confirmation checks
Each pilot will verbally challenged him or herself and respond verbally to each item on the confirmation checklist to ensure that each item is complete
Carriage of weapons
...
Who are the only authorized individuals to carry weapons on Air Methods aircraft?
What weapons are included and prohibited?
Local, state, or federal employees I.e. Law-enforcement officers are authorized to carry weapons.
including fire arms and tasers.
Pepper spray, mace or other aerosol products are prohibited
Cell phones/portable electronic devices utilization
...
PIC shall not allow cell phones or portable electronic devices to be used during what modes of flight
taxi, takeoff, enroute, approach or landing
When can electronic devices be used in CRUISE flight?
When an E M I, R F I flight test profile, developed by Air Methods has been conducted
What is the zero tolerance policy in the interest of safety in regards to cell phone & electronic devices?
No verbal communications, sending or receiving texts, email or instant message while in flight and aboard an aircraft
Cyclic control Warning cover
...
What does a RED cyclic warning cover mean and when should it be installed
It means the aircraft is out of service and should be installed prior to rendering out of service
Who can install and/or remove a RED cyclic warning cover?
Any Pilot or Mechanic can install a RED cover.
Only a mechanic or an authorized pilot can remove it after the aircraft has been returned to service.
When do pilots utilize a YELLOW cyclic warning cover
Anytime the aircraft is restrained from flight. I E, tie downs in place, ground power connected, required documentation removed from aircraft
What paper work shall be carried on the helicopter for ALL flights
The Dailey Flight Log
Weights for takeoff and max weight will be entered for all flights. What are the exceptions?
1. Maintenance flight, 2. training, 3. Ferry, 4. Reposition with only air method employees aboard
What kinds of flights are conducted under Part 91?
1. Maintenance flight, 2. training, 3. Ferry, 4. Reposition with only air method employees aboard
Entry of C G data, the forward limit, actual C G and aft limit are required for what type of helicopters?
Multi engine helicopters
Deplaning aircraft after landing / Before takeoff
...
Medical personnel or pacs shall not depart the aircraft until when?
Pilot verbally notifies "landed, clear to deplane".
A pilot shall not take off until when?
Pilot receives a verbal confirmation that crew, passengers and doors are closed and secured
Deteriorating Weather conditions Enroute
...
What are 5 procedure options to follow for deteriorating weather enroute?
1. Divert to alternate airport / heliport or suitable area for patient transfer to other means of transport.
2. Return to departure point
What are 5 procedure options to follow for deteriorating weather enroute? Continued
3. Land and notify dispatch of the situation and make arrangements for care of patient.
4. If I F R program and weather and regulations. permits, continue under I F R.
5. Execute inadvertent I M C
What Equipment is required for Night Flight?
1. Flashlight.
2. Radar altimeter for all night flights.
3. Searchlight for night scene flights.
Emergency Operations
...
How long do you have to notify the director of operations and chief pilot after an emergency
after landing, a P I C under emergency authority that deviated from a FAR will immediately notify operations and the chief pilot in a written report
How does a patient 's condition effect a pilots use of emergency deviation authority?
Patient condition is Not a valid consideration for use of FAR 135.19 emergency deviation.
When can a pilot practice E.P's or autorotations.
E.P's and autos will not be performed except when under the supervision of company instructor or check airman during training or flight checks. This does not preclude post maintenance flights.
FLIGHT FOLLOWING
...
V F R flight following procedures includes what type of flights?
Includes training flights, maintenance flights and ferry flights.
What do all flights require?
An electronic Air Methods flight plan.
Who is responsible for entering the Air Methods flight plan?
H B S or Aircom/Arch will enter the flight plans into the air methods approved flight tracker.
What information will a pilot provide to communication specialist at lift off?
1. P O B
2. Fuel on board in hours and minutes
3. Destination
4. E T A
5. Risk assessment value
How often will pilots give a position report? And what should it include?
Every 15 minutes unless equipped with outer link or sky connect GPS flight tracking system.
The report should include position in Latitude and longitude and time remaining to the destination.
When landing is assured what information needs to be passed?
The pilot will notify the communications center by radio of landing time.
Flight time limitations and Rest Requirements
...
Define: duty period
Time between reporting for assignment involving flight time and release from that assignment by certificate holder
How long is a scheduled duty period and how long may it be extended
12 scheduled consecutive hours.
This can be extended by 2 hours for a total of 14 hours
Define: rest period and what three factors must be present to constitute rest.
10 scheduled hours of rest that are:
1. Consecutive
2. Known in advance
3. Free from all restraint
How are duty assignments and flight time captured?
Duty periods and flight times shall be captured in the Air Methods Pilot 411 system.
When is it permissible to extend beyond 14 hours duty day?
The exception to 14 hours is only when a delay outside the control of the certificate holder upsets the planned completion time. The key phrase is "planned completion time of assignment".
What circumstances can constitute an unplanned delay that would allow a duty time to extend beyond the 14 hour duty day?
Delays due to:
1. Air traffic control
2. Mechanical problem
3. Adverse weather
4. Late arriving passengers
A pilot may not except assignment if that crew members total flight time in commercial flying will exceed how many hours per quarter, two consecutive quarters and calendar year?
1. 500 hours per quarter
2. 800 hours in two consecutive quarters
3. 1400 hours in any calendar year
During a calendar quarter how many rest periods of 24 consecutive hours shall a pilot have?
13 rest periods of 24 consecutive hours per quarter
What are the responsibilities of the pilot in regards to fueling
The P I C will check
1. Amount of fuel and correlate this amount with reported number on receipt, aircraft gauges and visual check.
2. Confirm by color and tank markings the correct fuel grade
3. Obtain fuel sample
Who is responsible for developing and maintaining the local "hazards map"?
Base lead pilot
How is a new hazard identified on the local hazards map?
A red post it flag and new hazard log will be made. It remains flagged red until all pilots acknowledge it by initialing next to the hazard log.
Instrument flight rules. General for all aircraft.
...
A 021 requires pilots to use an approved weather source if located with in how many miles from the destination airport?
Must use an approved weather source if within 15 nautical miles from destination airport.
What are the requirements for a pilot to use an improved weather reporting source?
1. Destination landing approved weather source. If destination has no approved weather reporting.
2. Weather reporting source within 15 nautical miles from the destination landing area. If not within 15 nautical miles of approved weather source.
3. Area forcast
If you use an area forecast due to destination not having approved weather source available or within 15 miles of an airport that does, What do you do?
Use an Area forecast and the H E M S tool will be reviewed to support an area forecast. A pilot may only use the H E M S tool for the purpose of helping make a no-go decision.
I F R alternate requirements.
...
I F R , Do I need an Alternate? An alternate is always required unless what ceiling is forecasted or reported at your destination airport?
In order to not need an alternate, 1 hour before and 1 hour after estimated time of arrival at your destination, weather must have a forecast or reported Ceiling of: 1500 feet above lowest Circling approach.
If no circling approach is authorized...1500 feet above the lowest published minimum or 2000 feet above airport elevation, which ever is higher.
I F R , Do I need an Alternate? An alternate is always required unless what visibility is forecasted or reported at your destination airport?
Visibility for destination airport must be forecasted for at least three miles or two miles more then lowest applicable visibility minimum. Which ever is higher.
What should you also look for on your destination approach plate when determining if you need an alternate?
Make sure to check notes in the upper left corner of the approach plate for pertinent notes. Example, Circling not authorized at night.
So destination weather calls for an alternate. For alternate airport weather, when must the weather reports or forecast, or any combination of them indicate conditions will be at landing minimums?
At estimated time of arrival.
Alternate airport with at least one operational navigation facility providing an approach requires what ceiling and visibility?
Ceiling: 200 feet added to published HAT or height above airport for the approach to be flown.
Visibility: 1 statue mile but never less then the minimum visibility for the approach
IFR Departures.
....
No pilot may depart I F R or V F R Over- top unless weather report, forecast or combination at your destination airfield indicate what?
Conditions at E T A at the airport or intended point of landing equal to or greater then ceiling and visibility for the approach procedure to be flown.
What departure consideration must a pilot take into account if departing I F R from an airfield with an instrument approach procedure but does not have weather reporting in accordance with operations specific A021?
I F R departures under this provision are authorized only if the P I C determines by his / her own observations that weather conditions at departure point are at or above V F R minimums in accordance with C F R 135.205(b). This is one Half mile visibility day and 1 mile at night.
Helicopter instrument departures from hospital heliports / helipads
Prohibited unless specifically authorized by the Operations Specifications.
What are the I F R standard takeoff minimums for helicopter operations in accordance with operations specifications H106?
I F R standard takeoff minimum for helicopters are one half statue mile visibility or RVR of 2400 feet for helicopters.
What if the departure airfield has no published takeoff minimum. What do you use?
The certificate holder may use the standard takeoff minimum of one half a mile or R V R of 2400 feet.
What if the airport has a departure minimum published and the minimum is higher / greater then the standard takeoff minimum?
If an alternate procedure such as a standard with a minimum climb gradient gradient that your aircraft can meet is prescribed, then use that. If not or you can't meet the climb gradient then you have to go with published minimum because The pilot shall not use a takeoff minimum lower then then the published minimum.
What if the airport has takeoff minumums less then the standard takeoff minimums?
The certificate holder is authorized to use takeoff minimum equal to the lowest authorized straight-in category 1 I F R landing minimum for that particular airport.
I F R landing and approaches.
....
Pilots shall not operate below Minimum decent altitude or continue below decision height unless what requirements are met?
1. In Position to make normal rate of decent using normal maneuvers to intended runway
2. Flight visibility is at or above prescribed instrument approach visibility minimums.
3. Pilot has at least on of the listed visual references in FAR Part 91.175
What are the 10 listed visual references that a pilot must have at least one in sight before descending below Approach minimum decision height or decision altitude
1. Approach lighting system. Must remain 100 feet above touchdown zone elevation till referencing red termination bars or red side row bars.
2. The threshold
3. Threshold markings
4. Threshold lights
5. Runway end identifier lights
What are the 10 listed visual references that a pilot must have at least one in sight before descending below Approach minimum decision height or decision altitude, continued
6. Runway or runway markings.
7. Runway lights
8. The touchdown zone or touchdown zone markers.
9. The touchdown zone lights.
10. Visual approach slope indicator [Show Less]