Air Ambulance (HEMS) Operations Safety Checklist
This air ambulance Helicopter Emergency Medical Services (HEMS) operations safety checklist ensures compliance with FAA Advisory Circular AC 135-14B (HEMS), FAA 14 CFR Part 135 HEMS operational requirements, CAMTS (Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems) and NAAMTA accreditation standards, and HEMS-specific flight risk assessment requirements. Designed for HEMS Program Directors and pilots conducting EMS operations.
- Industry: Aviation
- Frequency: Per Event
- Estimated Time: 20-30 minutes
- Role: HEMS Program Director / Flight Crew
- Total Items: 30
- Compliance: FAA AC 135-14B Helicopter Air Ambulance HEMS, FAA 14 CFR Part 135 Air Taxi HEMS Operations, CAMTS Commission on Accreditation Medical Transport Systems, NAAMTA National Air Ambulance Safety Program, AAMS Association of Air Medical Services Standards
HEMS Flight Risk Assessment
Pre-flight HEMS risk score.
- Flight Risk Assessment Tool (FRAT) completed?
- FRAT risk score acceptable for launch (below go/no-go threshold)?
- Weather risk assessed including en route conditions and destination LZ?
- Crew fatigue self-assessment completed?
- Medical urgency weighed against safety risk?
Weather and VFR Minimums
HEMS weather requirements.
- Weather at and above HEMS VFR minimums per OpSpec/policy?
- En route weather briefing obtained and acceptable?
- Landing zone weather reported and acceptable?
- Inadvertent IMC plan briefed per FAA AC 135-14B?
- Night VFR minimums applied (if night flight)?
Landing Zone
LZ safety evaluation.
- LZ briefing received from ground personnel?
- LZ confirmed adequate size (60x60 ft minimum)?
- Wires, poles, and other hazards identified in LZ area?
- Crowd control confirmed at LZ?
- Approach and departure paths clear of obstacles?
Medical Crew Safety
Flight medical crew safety compliance.
- Medical crew briefed on emergency procedures and exits?
- All medical crew belted/restrained during flight?
- Medical crew wearing required flight PPE (helmet, harness, survival gear)?
- Patient litter secured in aircraft with proper restraints?
- Medical oxygen compatible with aircraft system (no sparks/ignition)?
Post-Flight Debriefing
HEMS post-flight safety review.
- Crew safety debrief completed after flight?
- Any close calls or hazards reported for safety database?
- Aircraft post-flight inspection completed?
- Any maintenance squawks documented?
- FRAT outcomes reviewed to calibrate future risk assessments?
HEMS Records
HEMS flight documentation.
- HEMS flight log completed with patient and flight data?
- FRAT form retained in program safety records?
- Any incidents reported per CAMTS requirements?
- NTSB notification made if accident or serious incident occurred?
- HEMS Flight Notes
Related Aviation Checklists
- Aircraft Painting and Corrosion Control Checklist
- VFR Cross-Country Flight Planning Checklist
- IFR Instrument Flight Planning and Departure Checklist
- Parachute Operations and Skydiving Safety Checklist
Why Use This Air Ambulance (HEMS) Operations Safety Checklist?
This air ambulance (hems) operations safety checklist helps aviation teams maintain compliance and operational excellence. Designed for hems program director / flight crew professionals, this checklist covers 30 critical inspection points across 6 sections. Recommended frequency: per event.
Ensures compliance with FAA AC 135-14B Helicopter Air Ambulance HEMS, FAA 14 CFR Part 135 Air Taxi HEMS Operations, CAMTS Commission on Accreditation Medical Transport Systems, NAAMTA National Air Ambulance Safety Program, AAMS Association of Air Medical Services Standards. Regulatory-aligned for audit readiness and inspection documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Air Ambulance (HEMS) Operations Safety Checklist cover?
This checklist covers 30 inspection items across 6 sections: HEMS Flight Risk Assessment, Weather and VFR Minimums, Landing Zone, Medical Crew Safety, Post-Flight Debriefing, HEMS Records. It is designed for aviation operations and compliance.
How often should this checklist be completed?
This checklist should be completed per event. Each completion takes approximately 20-30 minutes.
Who should use this Air Ambulance (HEMS) Operations Safety Checklist?
This checklist is designed for HEMS Program Director / Flight Crew professionals in the aviation industry. It can be used for self-assessments, team audits, and regulatory compliance documentation.
Can I download this checklist as a PDF?
Yes, this checklist is available as a free PDF download. You can also use it digitally in the POPProbe mobile app for real-time data capture, photo documentation, and automatic reporting.