Air Methods Part 135 Study Guide Questions and Answers 2023

Air Methods Part 135 Study Guide Questions and Answers 2023 14 CFR 61: Certification: Pilots and Instructors To act as a PIC or in any other capacity as a required flight crew member of a civil aircraft what must the pilot have in his/her possession? -Pilot Certificate -Medical -Official Photo ID (FAR 61.3) Refusal to submit to a drug or alcohol test is grounds for what type of action? -Denial of an application for any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part for a period of up to 1 year after the date of that refusal; or -Suspension or revocation of any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part. (FAR 61.16) What is the period that a Class 1 medical is good for? Class 2? -12 Calendar Months. (FAR 61.23) If you lose your airmen certificate or medical certificate, how may you replace said document and how long is that good for? -FAA by letter or online with a fee. -Valid for 60 days. (FAR 61.29) If you are injured and required to take a medication that causes drowsiness, is your medical certificate valid? No (FAR 61.53) If you falsify your Pilot Duty Logs, what action can be taken against you? Suspension of revocation of certificate (FAR 61.59) How long do you have to notify the FAA of a permanent change of address? 30 Days (FAR 61.60) 14 CFR 91: General Operating & Flight Rules A NASA ASRP form does not protect you in the case of what type(s) of offense(s)? Accidents or criminal offenses (FAR 91.25) You receive a flight that requires you to fly greater than 100 NM from your base site. What information must you obtain prior to accepting this flight? -Weather -Reports -Forecasts -Fuel requirements -Alternatives -Runways and Lengths (FAR 91.103) Why and how might you legally deviate from an accepted ATC clearance? -Amended clearance is obtained -An emergency exist -The deviation is in response to a traffic alert (FAR 91.123) Your route of flight will take you directly over the parking lot of a local stadium hosting the MLB All Star Game. What type of restrictive airspace will overlay this event? Are you allowed to fly through this on a PR flight? On a patient flight? There will be a TFR present over the event. Any sporting event with grater than 30,000 people, operations are prohibited within 3NM and 3000ft AGL. Medical Transportation operation may be except when warranted by the FAA administrator. (FAR 91.145) (99.7) What about flying directly over a stadium or sporting event is not listed in 91.145? Would a regular season game be protected as well? Where would you look to find the boundaries of such a protected area? Stadiums with 30,000 people, operations are prohibited within 3NM and 3000ft AGL. NOTAMS (FAR 91.145) (99.7) During preflight you notice the airworthiness certificate is faded, torn, and unreadable. What actions must you take? Can you legally operate the aircraft? No person may operate a civil aircraft unless the airworthiness certificate required by paragraph (a) of this section or a special flight authorization issued under §91.715 is displayed at the cabin or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers or crew. (FAR 91.203) 14 CFR 135: Drug and Alcohol If you refuse to take a drug or alcohol test, what regulatory and administrative actions can be taken against you? -Denial of an application for any certificate or rating issued under this part for a period of up to 1 year after the date of that refusal; or -Suspension or revocation of any certificate or rating issued under this part (FAR 63.12.A) Does Air Methods, as a certificate holder, have any limitations on using an individual who has a prohibited drug in his/her system? The employer must not permit an employee who is required to hold an airman medical certificate under 14 CFR part 67 to perform a safety-sensitive duty to resume that duty Appendix I Part 121 What is the alcohol testing requirement for maintenance personnel? All employees who perform safety sensitive duties are required to the Alcohol/Drug testing program. Air Methods Anti Drug Training Manual Pg 8.0 You have inadvertently found yourself the cause, victim, or performer of a safety sensitive function of an aircraft that has just suffered a mishap. What are your restrictions from consuming alcohol following the mishap? The employee is prohibited from consuming alcohol with 8 hours following an accident/incident or prior to conducting a post accident alcohol test, whichever comes first. Air Methods Anti Drug Training Manual Pg 9.0 14 CFR 135: Commuter and On-Demand operations Give 3 examples of personnel whom the provisions of Part 135 are acceptable. Personnel employed by a commuter or on-demand operations certificate holder to include -Pilots -Maintainers -Crew (FAR 135.1.a (2)) Are PIC responsibilities pertaining to aircraft worthiness required to be covered in the Operations Manual? -Yes -Procedures for ensuring that the pilot in command knows that required airworthiness inspections have been made and that the aircraft has been approved for return to service in compliance with applicable maintenance requirements (FAR 135.23 (e)) Other than required for medical concern of the patient, is Air Methods allowed to carry any Narcotic drug, depressant drug, or stimulant drug on board any aircraft it operates? -No, it's a violation of FAR Part 91.19(a) (FAR 135.41) While inflight you encounter a potentially hazardous meteorological condition or irregularity with a ground facility that you consider essential to the safety of flight. What is your responsibility with respect to the issue? -Knowledge of which the pilot considers essential to the safety of other flights, the pilot shall notify an appropriate ground radio station as soon as practicable. (FAR 135.67) When an unsafe condition occurs at a destination, and there is no acceptable alternative but to continue to that destination, is that considered a normal operation or an emergency situation? If the conditions that are a hazard to safe operations may reasonably be expected to be corrected by the estimated time of arrival, it is considered a normal operation. If there is no safer procedure, the continuation toward that airport is an emergency situation under §135.19. (FAR 135.69) By regulation, what credential must an FAA inspector present to the PIC IOT gain access to the pilot compartment of the aircraft? Aviation Safety Inspector credential, FAA Form 110A (FAR 135.75) What current materials are Air Methods required to provide to you as the pilot? For single engine VFR operations: -A cockpit checklist. -Pertinent aeronautical charts (FAR 135.83) What are the minimum altitude requirements for Autopilot use in a Rotorcraft? Part 135.93 Minimum altitudes for use of autopilot does not apply to operations conducted in rotorcraft. (FAR 135.93 (G)) In an unpressurized aircraft, _____________ percentage of the occupants, other than the pilot, must be supplied oxygen between ____________ and ____________ feet lasting longer than 30 minutes. In an unpressurized aircraft, ____10____ percentage of the occupants, other than the pilot, must be supplied oxygen between _____10,000____ and ____15,000____ feet lasting longer than 30 minutes. (FAR 135.157) Is there are communication equipment requirement for operations under VFR over routes by pilotage and dead reckoning. Yes, communication must be able to fulfill the following at any point enroute except in remote locations and areas of mountainous terrain where geographical constraints make such communication impossible. -Communicate with at least one appropriate station from any point on the route -Communicate with appropriate air traffic control facilities from any point within controlled airspace (B, C, D, E) -Receive meteorological information (FAR 135.161) Is there an exception to the shoulder harness rule requiring a shoulder harness to be worn? If the crewmember cannot perform the required duties with the shoulder harness fastened. (FAR 135.171) What values are used to determine the current empty weight and balance at 36 month intervals? Actual Weighing (FAR 135.185) For carrying passenger for VFR over the top, what must the weather reports/forecast indicate for the point of termination and for how long? VFR and is forecast to remain so until at least 1 hour after the estimated time of arrival. (FAR 135.211) What is the minimum airmen certificate requirement to fly VFR under Part 135? Commercial Pilot Certificate (VFR Over-the-Top requires Instrument) (FAR 135. 243) Is Air Methods authorized to assign any specific non-flying duties to a PIC during any required rest period? No No certificate holder may assign any flight crewmember to any duty with the certificate holder during any required rest period. FAR (135.263 (B)) If you as a PIC are required to travel to another base for duty as a PIC, may you consider travel time either to or from that base as part of a required rest period? No Time spent in transportation, not local in character, that a certificate holder requires of a flight crewmember and provides to transport the crewmember to an airport at which he is to serve on a flight as a crewmember, or from an airport at which he was relieved from duty to return to his home station, is not considered part of a rest period. FAR (135.263 (C)) Under "normal flight planning" is there an allowance for exceeding flight time limitations? Yes A flight crewmember is not considered to be assigned flight time in excess of flight time limitations if the flights to which he is assigned normally terminate within the limitations, but due to circumstances beyond the control of the certificate holder or flight crewmember (such as adverse weather conditions), are not at the time of departure expected to reach their destination within the planned flight time. FAR (135.263 (D)) As a PIC for Air Methods, is your flight time limitation concerned with only time accrued while in the employ of Air Methods? No "...crewmember's total flight time in all commercial flying" (FAR 135.256) For the PIC to operate for a certificate holder under IFR, what must he/she pass every 6 months? Instrument Proficiency check (FAR 135.297) For single pilot PICs, is an autopilot check required every 6 months? No The autopilot check need only be demonstrated once every 12 calendar months during the instrument proficiency check (FAR 135.297(g)(3)) If a required check ride is given the month before or the month after the check ride is due, how does that change when the next check ride is given? I doesn't. If a crewmember who is required to take a test or a flight check under this part, completes the test or flight check in the calendar month before or after the calendar month in which it is required, that crewmember is considered to have completed the test or check in the calendar month in which it is required. (FAR 135.301) Emergency drill training is a requirement of the FARs. Name at least 3 of the items required to be trained. -Emergency Assignments -Operation of Emergency Equipment -Handling of Emergency Situations -Ect (FAR 135.331) GOM Who is responsible to notify the CDHO of accidents, incidents, or others significant events? Director of Operations (GOM 1.3.1) How does the Chief Pilot maintain a current copy of the manual in all aircraft and on the portal? Paper copy in each aircraft and an electronic copy at each base. (GOM Section 1) Who manages the OCC? The director of Risk and Compliance (GOM Who must develop the adverse weather plan? Program Aviation Manager (GOM 1.3.8) Who maintains the responsibility for the cleanliness of the aircraft exterior and cockpit? Pilot-In-Command (PIC) (GOM 1.3.11) What section of the GOM covers general flight operations? Section 2 Where is the EMI/EFI Flight Test Profile found? When shall the W&B information be entered on the DFL/Load manifest? -Takeoff and max weights will be entered for all flights, except maintenance, training, ferry and re position flights. -To facilitate situational awareness the pilot may record time, weight and balance data either immediately on the DFL itself, or on another location (e.g. Trip Sheet from Section 4), then transfer it to the DFL at a safer time but no later than the completion of the last leg of the current flight. (GOM 2-13) When encountering deteriorating weather enroute while VFR, what options are available in accordance with the Air Methods GOM? -Divert to an alternate airport/heliport or other suitable area where the patient(s) can be transferred -Return to the departure point, if practical. -Land and notify dispatch or hospital personnel of the situation -Execute the IIMC procedure in Section 2 of this manual if the preceding options are not available. (GOM 2-16) What 16 documents must be onboard? - Air Methods' General Operations Manual (Including Operations Specifications) - Aircraft Maintenance Log - Airworthiness Certificate (displayed at the cabin door or cockpit entrance so that it is legible to passengers and crew) - Aircraft Registration - Aircraft Status Report retrievable from 411 - Airplane or Rotorcraft Flight Manual - Appropriate and current aeronautical charts for VFR or IFR operations - One passenger briefing card per seat at a location convenient for the use of each passenger. The passenger briefing cards shall be appropriate for the aircraft configuration. - Cockpit Checklist (meeting the requirements of 135.83) - Daily Flight Log - Deferred Discrepancy Report - FCC radio station license (when required) -IIMC Procedure, as applicable - Minimum Equipment List (If applicable) - Pilots Maintenance and Servicing Procedures - Weight and balance information - Hazardous Materials Manual (GOM 2-17) If a pilot declares and emergency, who shall he report to? Director of Operations and/or Chief Pilot who will forward it to the FAA no later than ten (10) business days after the day of the deviation. (GOM 2-19) If a flight is going to take a pilot beyond 14 hrs duty time, how far can a pilot go? IAW 135.267(d). See (GOM 2.24.1) During hot refueling, a pilot trained in this procedure may go how far from the aircraft for the purpose of retrieving the fuel nozzle? -Without Medical Personnel the pilot may go beyond the rotor arc of the aircraft to retrieve the fuel nozzle, bonding cables or secure the previously mentioned items. -30 ft beyond the rotor arc with medical personnel (GOM 2.25.3- 2.25.4) Is the IIMC Procedure Template required to be posted at the respective base, available to the pilot or both? Yes (GOM 2.37) What are the steps used to maintain aircraft control during IIMC recovery? -Attitude (Level) -Heading (Turn only to avoid known obstacles) -Power (Adjust to climb power) -Airspeed (Adjust to climb airspeed) (GOM 2.37) When requesting assistance from ATC during IIMC, what are the two types of request that should be made and in what order? - Radar vectors to VMC conditions. - Vectors to the closest approach. Asked in order of preference. (GOM 2.37) What are the steps involved in the IIMC recovery procedure? -Maintain Aircraft Control. -Climb to the minimum safe altitude (MSA) to clear all obstacles in the area. - De-goggle when safely able (if appropriate). - Make all turns no greater than standard rate. - Contact appropriate Approach Control/Center and Declare an Emergency. Squawk 7700 when able. Report location, altitude, heading, fuel status, and number of persons on board. State that you are inadvertent IMC and request assistance. (GOM 2.37) Where are the documents for International Operations found? FlightDeck (GOM 2.38) What are the requirements for operating in close proximity to other aircraft in flight? Only the pilot and necessary flight crewmembers will be on board the aircraft. All members will be part of an extensive briefing, have a designated frequency, and never be within 5 rotor disks. (GOM 2.43) Are there times that trained medical personnel are responsible to ensure passengers receive a safety briefing? Medical personnel may brief but it is always the responsibility of the PIC to ensure that it happens. (GOM 2.46) 14 CFR 135.207 VFR Visibility Requirements FAR 135.207 is titled "VFR: Helicopter surface reference requirements." What does this regulation relate to? Must be able to see the ground Day or night What is required by FAR 135.207 in order to operate under VFR day / night. Visual surface reference or, at night, visual surface light reference, sufficient to safely control the helicopter. (FAR 135.207) 14 CFR 135.600 Helicopter Air Ambulance Operations (VFR) What mission profile is covered by FAR 135.600? Subpart L - Helicopter Air Ambulance Equipment, Operations, and Training Requirements What factors are included in the definition of an Air Ambulance Operation? -Flight, or sequence of flights -Patient or medical personnel on board -For the purpose of medical transportation -By a part 135 certificate holder authorized by the Administrator to conduct helicopter air ambulance operations. (FAR 135.601(b)1) What are the qualification requirements for a PIC performing HAAO in VFR conditions IAW FAR 135.603? -PIC must meet the requirements of §135.243 and holds a helicopter instrument rating. (FAR 135.603) What are the VFR weather minimums when operating in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace for non-mountainous flights in the local area during the day? Night? Day- 800 / 2mi Night- 1000 / 3mi What are the VFR weather minimums when operating in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace for non-mountainous flights outside the local area during the day? Night? Day- 800 / 3mi Night- 1000 / 5mi What are the VFR weather minimums when operating in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace for mountainous flights in the local area during the day? Night? Day- 800 / 3mi Night- 1500 / 3mi What are the VFR weather minimums when operating in Class G (uncontrolled) airspace for mountainous flights outside the local area during the day? Night? Day- 1000 / 3mi Night- 1500 / 5mi When must cross country weather minimums be utilized? When flight is located outside the local flying area or pilot is not qualified and current in the local flying area. (FAR 135.609) Regulatory speaking, the pilot must ensure that all terrain and obstacles along the route of flight, except takeoff and landing, are cleared vertically by no less than _________________ during the day and ________________ at night? (1) 300 feet for day operations. (2) 500 feet for night operations. (FAR 135.615 (b)) How wide is the preflight corridor? What is the purpose of determining and documenting the highest obstacle and minimum cruising altitude IAW FAR 135.615? Used to determine the minimum safe cruise altitude. (FAR 135.615) How is the certificate holder required to identify risks associated with HAAO? (a) Each certificate holder conducting helicopter air ambulance operations must establish, and document in its operations manual, an FAA-approved preflight risk analysis that includes at least the following— (1) Flight considerations, to include obstacles and terrain along the planned route of flight, landing zone conditions, and fuel requirements; (2) Human factors, such as crew fatigue, life events, and other stressors; (3) Weather, including departure, en route, destination, and forecasted; (4) A procedure for determining whether another helicopter air ambulance operator has refused or rejected a flight request; and (5) Strategies and procedures for mitigating identified risks, including procedures for obtaining and documenting approval of the certificate holder's management personnel to release a flight when a risk exceeds a level predetermined by the certificate holder. (b) Each certificate holder must develop a preflight risk analysis worksheet to include, at a minimum, the items in paragraph (a) of this section. (FAR 135.617) How does AMC comply with FAR 135.617 with respect to identifying risks associated with HAAO? iPad PFRA and communications with OCC Prior to the first leg of each HAAO, what are the PIC preflight requirements with respect to the Air Methods approved Pre-Flight Risk Analysis? -Must complete PFRA and have it approved by OCC IOT comply with Part 135.617. (Prior to the first leg of each helicopter air ambulance operation, the pilot in command must conduct a preflight risk analysis and complete the preflight risk analysis worksheet in accordance with the certificate holder's FAA-approved procedures. The pilot in command must sign the preflight risk analysis worksheet and specify the date and time it was completed.) (FAR 135.617) To prevent runway incursions, what must every pilot do prior to hover/taxi operations? Review airport diagrams. (GOM 2.53) Who must participate in shift change briefings? Duty medical personnel/crewmembers and any others that might be appropriate. (GOM 2.57) When shall sterile cockpit be in effect? "Critical phase" of flight defined as ground operations including taxi, takeoff, landing, and all other flight operations below 10,000 feet, except cruise flight. (GOM 2.59) Are AMC pilots authorized by the FAA to conduct VFR operations based solely on indications bay the ADDS HEMS tool? No. Only to support a decision (GOM 2.62) Air Methods pilots will use one or more of the approved weather sources for IFR/VFR flight planning. Name them: -Telvent DTN (Schneider Electric) -WSI -DTC DUAT -CSC DUATS -Foreflight -Any Internet package/provider that uses the sources listed in A010 for weather information may be used at the pilot's discretion. (GOM 2.62) May helicopter pilots accept LAHSO clearances? No (GOM 3.5) While on approach or departure, obstructions should be cleared by a minimum of_________________? As a minimum, obstructions shall be cleared by 30 feet during approach and departure. When on the ground there will be a minimum of 15 feet clearance from obstructions. (GOM 3.6) What is the maximum rate of descent below 300' AGL during an approach (other that a normal approach) to clear an area? 200 FPM (GOM 3.6) To maintain a safe environment in an LZ the aircraft state may be in one of the following: -Shut down if no crowd control is present. -Reduced to ground idle and controls locked. -Reduced to idle with pilot in cockpit. (GOM 3.7) Outside of regulatory requirements, Air Methods pilots are required to maintain a minimum cruise altitude of __________________ when able. 1000 ft AGL. (GOM 3.9/FAR 135.203) What items must pilots announce on 123.025? - Approach - At five miles from landing - At one mile from landing - Upon landing - Departure - Upon liftoff - At one mile from departure - At five miles from departure (GOM 3.11) When making a departure from anywhere other than an airport, a turn on course will not be made until the aircraft has climbed at least ______________? 300 feet AGL for day operations and 500 feet AGL for night operations unless rising terrain, obstacles, or local procedures dictate. (GOM 3.12) What are the minimum ceiling and visibility requirements for SVFR IAW the AMC GOM? - DAY: 700 foot ceiling and 2 miles visibility. - NIGHT: 800 foot ceiling and 3 miles visibility. (GOM 3.13) What type of airspace is needed to be granted SVFR clearance? Controlled Airspace (GOM 3.13) While at a hospital, you write up an aircraft discrepancy that is eligible for referral IAW the Air Methods MEL for your aircraft. What procedure should you use to sign off the discrepancy in the aircraft logbook? -Appropriate entries shall be made in the aircraft logbook and the Deferred Discrepancy Log. The aircraft must be appropriately placarded. (GOM 5.6.1) Upon returning from a flight request where you had to defer an aircraft discrepancy, what are your administrative actions if a mechanic is not available? The Deferred Discrepancy Log shall be faxed to the Maintenance Support Representative within 24 hours of deferral. (GOM 5.6.1) Who may operate tugs and other equipment to move an aircraft? Properly trained Air Methods' pilots, mechanics, or medical personnel who are employees of Air Methods. (GOM 6.1) When is a wing walker required? At locations that require close quarters maneuvering around other aircraft or hangar facilities. (GOM 6.1)