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
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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 is a Air Ambulance (HEMS) Operations Safety Checklist?
A Air Ambulance (HEMS) Operations Safety Checklist is a standardized inspection form used by hems program director / flight crew to ensure consistent aviation operations. It contains 35 inspection points organized into 6 sections. FREE air ambulance HEMS operations safety checklist PDF. FAA AC 135-14B HEMS, FAA Part 135, CAMTS NAAMTA accreditation, landing zone safety, HEMS crew compliance. 35+ HEMS checks. Download FREE template now.
How often should I use this aviation checklist?
This checklist is designed to be completed per event. Regular use ensures compliance with FAA AC 135-14B Helicopter Air Ambulance HEMS and FAA 14 CFR Part 135 Air Taxi HEMS Operations and helps identify issues before they become problems.
Can I download this Air Ambulance (HEMS) Operations Safety Checklist as a PDF?
Yes, you can download this checklist as a FREE PDF for printing or offline use. The checklist includes 35 fields across 6 sections and typically takes 20-30 minutes to complete.
What compliance standards does this checklist cover?
This checklist helps ensure 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. Following these standards protects your organization and ensures best practices.
How do I complete this aviation inspection checklist?
Begin by completing the header fields for HEMS Program Name / FAA Cert #, Flight Date/Time, Pilot Name / ATP Cert #, Aircraft Registration, and Base Location / Hospital. Work through each of the 6 sections, marking items Yes or No as applicable. Add notes for any issues found. The entire process takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes.
What are the key sections in this aviation checklist?
This aviation checklist is organized into 6 key sections: HEMS Flight Risk Assessment, Weather and VFR Minimums, Landing Zone, Medical Crew Safety, Post-Flight Debriefing, HEMS Records. Each section contains specific inspection points that hems program director / flight crew must verify. The structured layout ensures nothing is missed during aviation inspections and makes the process efficient, typically taking 20-30 minutes to complete.
Who should use this Air Ambulance (HEMS) Operations Safety Checklist?
This checklist is primarily designed for hems program director / flight crew working in aviation operations. However, it is also valuable for quality assurance teams, safety officers, compliance managers, and supervisors who need to verify that aviation standards are being met. Organizations of all sizes can benefit from using this Air Ambulance (HEMS) Operations Safety Checklist to maintain consistency and accountability.