Sun, Feb 12, 2012
Association Says Measure Will Improve Safety In Medical
Transportation
The Air Medical Operators Association (AMOA) said in a Thursday
news release it commends Congress for passing aviation
reauthorization legislation that includes strong provisions to
advance the safety of air medical transportation. The "FAA
Modernization and Reform Act of 2012" (H.R. 658) includes a series
of provisions directing the FAA to further improve and update the
regulation of the industry. The AMOA has supported inclusion of air
medical safety provisions in this legislation since the creation of
the association in early 2009.
"This is a significant step forward in improving safety," said
AMOA President Christopher Eastlee. "But, there is no stopping
point in this effort. We work continually to advance the level of
technology, training, and management oversight."
The FAA is already working on regulations to address the
priorities identified by Congress in H.R. 658. AMOA in January,
2011 submitted comments to the FAA in support of these proposed
regulations. AMOA's members are also working continuously to invest
in the technology and training to achieve the highest level of
safety in patient transport.
AMOA initiated numerous safety enhancements, far beyond
rulemaking and ahead of any pressure to do so, including:
- Night Vision and Terrain Awareness: AMOA members are committed
to implementing appropriate terrain and obstacle awareness
technologies. These technologies include Helicopter Terrain
Awareness Warning Systems (HTAWS), Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)
and Night Vision or Night Vision Imaging Systems (NVIS). AMOA
members have achieved nearly 100% implementation of night vision
technology.
- Safety Management System: Like the airlines, AMOA members work
with the FAA in their voluntary program to ensure safety through
enhanced management and communications strategies. Proven to
enhance safety in a number of industries, AMOA members are
committed to SMS and currently have the highest participation ratio
in the FAA's voluntary program.
- Operational Control: AMOA member companies are also
implementing operational control systems to improve flight safety.
These systems ensure oversight and communication while tracking
aircraft in a satellite based system.
"We want to thank Congress for approving this important
legislation," the association said in its statement. "In particular
AMOA and its members commend the work and leadership of Senate
Commerce Committee Chairman Jay Rockefeller and Ranking Member Kay
Bailey Hutchison, Senate Aviation Subcommittee Chair Maria Cantwell
and Ranking Member John Thune, House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee Chairman John Mica and Ranking Member Nick
Rahall and House Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Tom Petri and
Ranking Member Jerry Costello."
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