Critical Care Air Medical Operations Exam
Questions and Answers
Contraindications to Air Medical Transport
Severe Anemia, Hemoglobinopathy, MI within 10 days or complications in 5 days before flight,
uncontrolled arrythmia, pregnancies past 24 weeks gestation, recent eye surgery affecting the globe,
nonacute hypovolemia
Benefits to Air Medical Transport
Decreased mortality rates, access to more specialized tertiary care, rapid access to healthcare system
CAMTS
Program dedicated to ensuring high quality patient care and safety
Sterile Cockpit
No communications with anybody in the helicopter unless necessary to safety of flight under 10000'
Visual Flight Rules
Used in good weather conditions, can be performed without air traffic control
Instrumental Flight Rules
Used in poor cloud clearance and visibility, requires ATC clearance for takeoff and constant contact,
used mainly by fixed-wing aircraft, used mainly by fixed wing aircraft
Flight Following
Flight crew should be in constant contact with ATC throughout flight , GPS tracks chopper throughout
flight
VFR Communications
Helicopter: Max 15 mins between comms, Fixed Wing: Max 30 mins between comms, Ground Unit:
Max 45 mins between comms
Advantages of rotor-wing
Vertical takeoff and landing allows access to otherwise inaccessible locations, sustained speeds of 150
mph, operates at altitudes of less than 2,000', ability to move point to point,
Disadvantages of rotor-wing
Weather limitations, interior space limitations, subject to weight limitations
Advantages of Fixed-Wing Transport
Attains high speeds (250-600 mph), safer than rotor wing, ability to travel greater distances
Disadvantages of Fixed-Wing Transport
Expensive, requires maintained runways, requires hangers
Questions and Answers
Contraindications to Air Medical Transport
Severe Anemia, Hemoglobinopathy, MI within 10 days or complications in 5 days before flight,
uncontrolled arrythmia, pregnancies past 24 weeks gestation, recent eye surgery affecting the globe,
nonacute hypovolemia
Benefits to Air Medical Transport
Decreased mortality rates, access to more specialized tertiary care, rapid access to healthcare system
CAMTS
Program dedicated to ensuring high quality patient care and safety
Sterile Cockpit
No communications with anybody in the helicopter unless necessary to safety of flight under 10000'
Visual Flight Rules
Used in good weather conditions, can be performed without air traffic control
Instrumental Flight Rules
Used in poor cloud clearance and visibility, requires ATC clearance for takeoff and constant contact,
used mainly by fixed-wing aircraft, used mainly by fixed wing aircraft
Flight Following
Flight crew should be in constant contact with ATC throughout flight , GPS tracks chopper throughout
flight
VFR Communications
Helicopter: Max 15 mins between comms, Fixed Wing: Max 30 mins between comms, Ground Unit:
Max 45 mins between comms
Advantages of rotor-wing
Vertical takeoff and landing allows access to otherwise inaccessible locations, sustained speeds of 150
mph, operates at altitudes of less than 2,000', ability to move point to point,
Disadvantages of rotor-wing
Weather limitations, interior space limitations, subject to weight limitations
Advantages of Fixed-Wing Transport
Attains high speeds (250-600 mph), safer than rotor wing, ability to travel greater distances
Disadvantages of Fixed-Wing Transport
Expensive, requires maintained runways, requires hangers
