Air Methods GOM / OpSpecs (2023/2024) Rated A

Air Methods GOM / OpSpecs (2023/2024) Rated A GOM 1.2: "Organizational Chart": Name CP, DO and Dof MX CP: "Rajesh Helweg", DO: "Jason Quisling", Director of MX: "Chris Meinhardt" GOM 2.1: "Operational Control" Air Methods utilizes a two tier system of operational control. The first tier consists of managers and directors listed, the Air Methods 411 Pilot computer system, trained flight followers, and the Operational Control Center (OCC). Satellite tracking allows real time position reports for flight locating requirement The second tier of operational control consists of the operational control the Pilot in Command (PIC) exercises as the final authority over the operation of the aircraft. GOM 2.4: "Aircraft Training / Currency" If a PIC has not flown a specific make, model, or series aircraft in the last 60 days they will, as a minimum, accomplish one start and three takeoffs and landings. If a PIC has not flown a specific make, model, or series aircraft in the last 90 days they will notify the Regional Aviation Manager to determine if any training is needed for the pilot to perform competently and safely in that aircraft. GOM 2.6: "Before Start / Before Takeoff Confirmation Check" A before start/before takeoff confirmation checklist will be provided and affixed to each instrument panel in plain view to the pilot. The confirmation checklist will include essential items that will be confirmed by the pilot before each start and takeoff. Prior to start and liftoff, each pilot will verbally challenge him or herself and respond verbally to each item on the confirmation checklist to ensure that each item is completed. GOM 2.7 "Carriage of Weapons" Passengers (including patients) shall not carry deadly or dangerous weapons anywhere aboard Air Methods' aircraft. Local, state, or federal employees (i.e. law enforcement officers) authorized to carry weapons are permitted to carry those weapons including firearms and tasers (pilot discretion), but not including pepper spray, mace or other aerosol products on board Air Methods' aircraft. Air Methods' employees shall not carry firearms aboard Air Methods' aircraft GOM 2.11 "Conditional Flight Release" All night operations that cannot be conducted aided with NVGs, are subject to conditional flight release. In order to obtain conditional flight release a Night High Light Condition must exist; - ceiling less than broken and at least 50% lunar disk must be exposed. GOM 2.37: "Inadvertent Instrument Meteorological Conditions (IIMC) Recovery" The priority and most important aspect of an IIMC procedure is to maintain aircraft control. Positive control of the aircraft with reference to instruments must take priority over all other duties. -Attitude (Level) -Heading (Turn only to avoid known obstacles) -Power (Adjust to climb power) -Airspeed (Adjust to climb airspeed) -Climb to the minimum safe altitude (MSA) to clear all obstacles in the area. -Degoggle 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. The following procedures shall be utilized in the following order of preference: -Radar vectors to VMC conditions. -Vectors to the closest approach GOM 2.39: "Maintenance Inspection After Occurrence or Incident" At any time that safety of flight or airworthiness is in question, the pilot will discontinue the flight. A log book entry will be made and maintenance will be contacted. The aircraft will not be flown until maintenance has inspected and released the aircraft for flight to include a log book entry. Pilots who make an unscheduled landing for reasons such as securing a door, a seatbelt, or to investigate a bird strike to non-rotating parts are authorized to resume flight if no damage has occurred. GOM 2.40 Maintenance Operational Check - Post Maintenance A conversation between the duty pilot and the mechanic must take place prior to any maintenance being performed on Air Methods' aircraft. Any maintenance performed must be entered in the Air Methods' Record of Maintenance. For all routine maintenance performed in the field by a company mechanic, a "Conform Your Aircraft (CYA)" check or a "Required Inspection Item (RII)" inspection will be performed. A CYA check may be performed by a pilot when a second mechanic is not available. If a second mechanic is available, a RII inspection will be performed per the GMM RII guidance in Section 2, Maintenance Checks - Post Maintenance. The CYA will include a thorough face to face briefing between the person performing the work and the pilot performing the CYA. The pilot performing the CYA is required to do a general overview of the area in which the maintenance was performed. The pilot should look for disconnected lines, proper safeties (including safety wire, cotter pins and lock tabs), oil or fuel, any cowlings/panels that were opened or removed and any components/lines that were repositioned or removed in order to facilitate maintenance. GOM 2.57 "Shift Change and Post Mission Briefings" At the change of each shift the PIC will conduct a briefing of the duty medical personnel - crewmembers and any others that might be appropriate. As a minimum, the topics discussed will be: -Weather for the duty period -Mechanical issues with the aircraft (including the medical interior and upcoming aircraft maintenance/inspections) -Flight restrictions required when operating with inoperative equipment -Public relations events "Third" riders (or "ride- along"), -Scheduled training, -Any other events that may impact that duty period's operation. Post flight mission debriefings will also be completed.Items for discussion will include but not be limited to: -Safety issues, -Communications problems -Weather concerns -Aircraft issues -Any other noteworthy items GOM 2.62 "Weather Sources and Providers Approved for Aircraft Flight Planning" Air Methods pilots will use one or more of the following wx sources: -Telvent DTN (Schneider Electric) -WSI -DTC DUAT -CSC DUATS -Foreflight Pilots are authorized to use the experimental Aviation Digital Data Service (ADDS) HEMS Tool to support VFR flight planning. However, the tool will not be used as the sole source of weather information and will only be used to make a "no- go" decision when results conflict with authorized weather sources. GOM 3.2 Helicopter Night Vision Goggle Operations (HNVGO) - During enroute phases of HNVGO no pilot will operate below 500 feet AGL. - Prior to initiating an approach, an aided or unaided high reconnaissance shall be conducted at or above 500 feet AGL. - For HNVGO, only takeoffs, landings, are authorized below 300 feet AGL No Pilot or Crewmember Shall Conduct HNVGOs unless: -He or she has completed Initial, Recurrent, Requalification, and/or Transition training in accordance with the approved Air Methods NVG Training Program. -The pilot meets the currency requirements of FAR 61.57(f). -The medical crewmember has completed three (3) HNVGO in the previous 180 days. GOM 3.3: "NVG Currency" Pilots must utilize night vision goggles while performing and logging six (6) helicopter night vision goggle operations (HNVGO) as the sole manipulator of the flight controls: - To carry passengers, the look back period begins two (2) calendar months prior, not including the current month of the flight -To act as NVG pilot in command when passengers are not carried, the look back period begins four (4) calendar months prior, not including the current month of the flight GOM 3.6: "Landing Zone Limitations" The landing zone will normally be at least twice the overall length and width of the helicopter to be used, and have a reasonable approach and departure path; which will not require exceeding the performance capability of the helicopter used Landing zones may have any shape.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. The pilot must also be able to determine wind direction from a lighted indicator, two-way voice communications, or other reliable means. Rates of descent shall, when able, be kept below 200 feet per minute when less than 300 feet above the roof top or confined landing area. Steep approach angles with a rate of descent greater than 200 feet per minute shall be avoided. GOM 3.9: "Minimum Altitude for VFR" At all times, with the exception of takeoffs and landings, Air Methods' pilots will operate at an altitude allowing, if a power unit fails, an emergency landing without undue hazard to persons or property on the surface. Air Methods' helicopter pilots shall, when able, cruise at a minimum of 1,000 feet AGL - day or night. GOM 3.11: "Scene and Hospital Communications" In the event that an area doesn't have a designated communications frequency or the frequency is unknown, the pilot will announce in the blind his or her intentions 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 3.12 "Scene Flight Operations" - Pilots will not accept flights unless they are reasonably certain of completing the flight safely under VFR conditions - Prior to landing, if terrain, airspace, or environmental conditions allow, a 360° high reconnaissance will be flown at a hospital or scene - During the initial portion of the departure, a power check will be made to determine if a 10% power margin below maximum takeoff power or HOGE power exist. If this margin does not exist, aircraft load (fuel, equipment, passengers, etc.) will be reduced to meet this requirement. - Obstacles must be cleared by at least 30 feet and a turn on course will not be made until the aircraft has climbed (at a minimum) to 300 feet AGL for day operations and 500 feet AGL for night operations GOM 3.13: "Special Visual Flight Rules (SVFR)" Pilots operating in controlled airspace designated to the surface may request an SVFR clearance for operations conducted beneath a ceiling reported as being less than 1000 feet. Air Methods' pilots will utilize the following minimum cloud and visibility requirements for SVFR operations: DAY: 700 foot ceiling and 2 miles visibility. NIGHT: 800 foot ceiling and 3 miles visibility. OpSpec A050: "Weather Minimums during HNVGO in Class G Airspace" Non Mountainous: Local: 800/2 XC: 1000/3 Mountainous: Local: 1000/3 XC: 1000/5