FAA Office of Aerospace Medicine
Civil Aerospace Medical Institute

Report No: DOT/FAA/AM-71/18

Title and Subtitle: Aeromedical transportation and general aviation

Report Date: April 1971

Authors: Gibbons HL, Fromhagen C

Abstract: The advantages of aircraft in providing military medical evacuation are well documented. Training and experience have resulted in a reliable and safe military medical evacuation system. Many studies have been done or are in process which pertain to civil emergency helicopter evacuation. Fixed-wing secondary ambulance service is growing at a rapid rate without the benefit of studies such as those pertaining to helicopter primary ambulance service.

Problems associated with this growth relate to equipment, crew training, and knowledge of the physiology of flight. Legislative and/or education efforts are needed to assure optimum general aviation patient transportation.

Key Words: Air Ambulance, Ambulance Attendant, Physiological Factors-Flight, patient Evacuation, Military medicine, Turbulence, Pressurization, Safety Belts, Flight crews

No. of Pages: 10