The AEL Difference

RESULT: SAFETY

Safety in Everything We Do

Air Evac Lifeteam is proud to have received numerous safety awards from various agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the Association of Air Medical Services (AAMS) and Helicopter Association International (HAI).

In 2008 and 2007, Air Evac Lifeteam received the Operator's Safety Award from HAI, reflecting a safety record that is twice as good as the helicopter industry average.

Safety Programs

  • Operational Control Specialists: 8 pilots, all with more than 5 years of EMS experience, are utilized in the operations center to provide pilots with timely, accurate weather information to aid in making real-time decisions about flying conditions.
  • Risk Matrix System: Air Evac Lifeteam uses a Risk Matrix System to identify risk factors before taking a flight. Risk factors include current and forecasted weather conditions, flight destination and time of day. Flights with higher risk factors are discussed by the pilot and flight data analyst.
  • Trend Analysis: Ensuring safety is a continuous process. Therefore, Air Evac Lifeteam executes trend analysis and mechanical reliability programs to constantly gain insight. Ongoing scrutiny enables management to identify potentially hazardous situations in advance.
  • Compliance Program: Air Evac Lifeteam employs a rigorous internal compliance audit program to ensure conformity with all applicable federal regulations and pertinent safety issues. The company successfully accomplished company-wide, third-party safety reviews and audits in 2005 and 2007 by well-regarded industry experts.
  • Safety Culture: Air Evac Lifeteam’s company-wide commitment to establishing a safety-focused culture encompasses numerous initiatives and permeates everything we do.
  • Accreditation: In 2008, Air Evac Lifeteam was evaluated and accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality and safety of medical transport programs.

Investments in Safety

  • Flight Simulator: Air Evac Lifeteam was the first air medical operator to train pilots on a dedicated flight simulator. The flight simulator allows instructors to train pilots in emergency procedures that are more safely practiced on the ground.
  • Night Vision Goggles: The company maintains an active Night Vision Goggle program, with approximately 50% and 100% of the fleet projected to be operated by yearend 2009 and 2010, respectively.
  • Helmet Usage: Air Evac Lifeteam was also the first operator of its size to mandate helmet usage for all crew members. This basic safety standard protects the crew members and patients who are dependent on those professionals for medical care.
  • Weather Reporting Stations: Weather is a key dynamic that must be continually monitored. Air Evac Lifeteam operates its own in-house weather reporting stations that yield up-to-the-minute weather information and has proven to be a safeguard against weather-related accidents.
  • Safety Staff: Air Evac Lifeteam employs three full-time safety staff whose sole responsibility is to ensure that personnel are well-trained and highly conscious of safe operating procedures.
  • Skytrac© Satellite Tracking: The Operations Center staff use Skytrac© Satellite systems to continually monitor the safety of the flight. Skytrac© reports an aircraft’s heading, location and air speed every 60 seconds.
  • Aviation Risk Management: In 2007, Air Evac Lifeteam engaged Aerosafe Risk Management, a leading international aviation firm specializing in the provision of safety and risk management services, to review its operations, safety program and risk management systems.