16 Del. Admin. Code § 4302-6.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 7, January 1, 2025

Section 4302-6.0 - Aircraft Requirements

6.1 Medical Considerations

6.1.1 The aircraft shall have an interior medical configuration that is installed according to FAA criteria. Minimum specifications are listed in APPENDIX B.

6.1.2 The aircraft must be configured in such a way that the air medical personnel have access to the patient for the initiation and/or maintenance of basic advanced life support treatments.

6.1.3 The aircraft must be equipped with medical equipment and supplies consistent with the mission statement and scope of care. Minimum equipment and supplies required are identified in APPENDIX B.

6.1.4 The aircraft design and configuration must not compromise patient stability in during loading, unloading or in-flight operations.

6.1.4.1 The aircraft must have an entry that allows loading and unloading without excessive movement of the patient or compromise to monitoring systems, without interfering with the pilot's vision. The cockpit should be capable of being shielded from light in the patient care area during night operations.

6.1.4.2 The cockpit must be sufficiently isolated, by protective barrier, to minimize distractions from the patient care compartment.

6.1.4.3 The interior of the aircraft must be climate controlled to prevent adverse effects upon the patient from temperature extremes.

6.1.4.4 The avionics shall not interfere with the functioning of medical equipment, nor shall the intravenous lines, manual or mechanical ventilation.

6.1.4.5 Adequate interior lighting shall be available to allow for patient care monitoring. Medical equipment shall not interfere with the avionics.

6.2 Aircraft Equipment

6.2.1 The aircraft must be equipped with a 180 degree controllable searchlight of at least 400,000 candle power for rotor-wing aircraft.

6.2.2 Radio capabilities

6.2.2.1 Radios (as range permits) shall be capable of transmitting and receiving communications from:

6.2.2.1.1 Medical control

6.2.2.1.2 Flight operations center

6.2.2.1.3 Air traffic control

6.2.2.1.4 EMS and law enforcement agencies

6.2.2.2 The pilot must be able to control and override radio transmissions from the cockpit in the event of an emergency situation.

6.2.2.3 The flight crew must be able to communicate internally.

6.2.3 The aircraft must be equipped with a functioning emergency locator transmitter (ELT) in compliance with the applicable Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs).

6.2.4 A fire extinguisher must be accessible to air medical personnel and pilot(s) in compliance with applicable FARs.

6.3 Maintenance

Maintenance may be provided by an outside vendor who is FAA and manufacturer certified. If an in-house maintenance department is utilized, the following criteria must be met:

6.3.1 Credentials/Experience

6.3.1.1 Lead mechanic must possess 2 years of rotorcraft experience as a certified airframe and power plant mechanic prior to assignment with an air medical service.

6.3.1.2 The mechanic must be factory schooled or equivalent in an approved program, and FAR 135 qualified to maintain the aircraft designated by the air medical service.

6.3.2 Training related to the interior modification of the aircraft:

6.3.2.1 Shall prepare the mechanic for inspection of the installation as well as the removal and reinstallation of special medical equipment.

6.3.2.2 Supplemental training on service and maintenance of medical oxygen systems and a policy as to who maintains responsibility for refilling the medical oxygen system.

6.3.3 Staffing of Mechanics

6.3.3.1 A single mechanic on duty or on call 24 hours a day shall be relieved from duty for a period of at least 24 hours during any seven (7) consecutive days, or the equivalent thereof, within any 1 calendar month.

6.3.3.2 Back-up personnel shall be provided to the mechanic during periods of extensive scheduled or unscheduled maintenance or inspection. Complexity of the aircraft and an increased number of flight hours may be considerations for increased mechanic staffing.

6.3.3.3 A policy of the certificate holder shall be in place that documents the disciplinary process for a mechanic.

6.3.4 Maintenance Facilities

6.3.4.1 There must be a mechanism/procedure for alerting flight and air medical personnel when the aircraft is not air worthy.

6.3.4.2 A hangar or similar-type facility shall be available for the mechanic to perform heavy maintenance.

16 Del. Admin. Code § 4302-6.0

4 DE Reg. 1827 (5/1/01)