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."

FMI: www.airmedicaloperators.com