General Operations Manual

Question 1

Who has final authority on the decision to decline a flight request or terminate a flight?

Who can overturn this authority?

Answer 1

Pilot in Command

This authority cannot be overturned.

GOM - 1.19

Question 2

To what extent can a Company Pilot exercise operational control?

Answer 2

To the extent of exercising operational decisions to initiate, conduct, or terminate an assigned flight.

GOM - 1.19

Question 3

GOM: What does it mean when a base weather status is GREEN

Answer 3

Pilot is not required to check weather when the pick-up location is within 70 miles of base.
GOM 3.2.D.2.a

Question 4

GOM: What do you do if a flight request is made directly to the base.

Answer 4

Redirect the request to CENCOM prior to acceptance. Base personnel will notify requestor to contact CENCOM directly while staying “on-line” with requestor.
GOM 3.2.G.2

Question 5

GOM: What is the target call response time for single-engine, VFR helicopters?

Answer 5

7 minutes but not at the expense of safety or other limitations.
GOM 3.3.C

Question 6

GOM: If SkyWeb becomes inoperative, how is flight following maintained?

Answer 6

15-minute radio position reports to CENCOM from pilot. If radio contact is unavailable, pilots will make every effort to relay reports via other methods (e.g. ATC, law enforcement, etc).
GOM 3.6

Question 7

GOM: How should the pilot handle mechanical irregularities of permanently installed medical equipment?

Answer 7

Mechanical irregularities of permanently installed medical equipment should be handled as ony other discrepancy noted on the aircraft.
GOM 4.3.3.a

Question 8

GOM: How should discrepancies with carry-on medical equipment be handled?

Answer 8

They should NOT be addressed in the engineering report or RAMCO. GOM 4.3.3.a
Carry-on equipment irregularities will be handled by medical crew and field resources

Question 9

GOM: What type of OCF cannot be conducted at night?

Answer 9

OCFs requiring autorotations.
GOM 4.5.D.4

Question 10

GOM: How do functional check flights differ from operational check flights?
(3 key points)

Answer 10

1 - FCF is not tracked in RAMCO.
2 - All documented AML discrepancies have been addressed and closed.
3 - Medical personnel are allowed on board, but only if assisting with the functional check.
GOM 4.5.E.

Question 11

GOM: If RAMCO is unaccessible, can maintenance be performed?

Answer 11

Yes. Discrepancies and maintenance will be tracked via the Engineering Log and the procedures found in the MOM.
GOM 4.9

Question 12

GOM: Who has the authority to issue a Special Flight Permit?

Answer 12

1 - The Director of Maintenance
2 - Asst Director of Maintenance
3 - Chief Pilot
4 - VP of Aviation
GOM 4.18.B

Question 13

GOM: Before each flight, what must the pilot become familiar with?

Answer 13

The routes to be flown, to include enroute terrain and obstacle elevations, and the airports/heliports where landings may occur.
GOM 5.3.C

Question 14

GOM: Under what circumstances may a night landing to an unimproved site with NVGs inoperable be permitted?

Answer 14

With Tier I OCC approval.
Factors include:
1 - pilot night proficiency
2 - pilot & crew familiarity with site
3 - weather
4 - illumination
5 - terrain
6 - available external lighting
GOM 5.11.B

Question 15

What is the GOM definition of an “improved site”?

Answer 15

An area where improvements have been made specifically to assist the landing of an aircraft.
GOM 5.11.C.1

Question 16

GOM: When the NVG system is deferred and NVG use is not authorized, what do you do with the NVGs?

Answer 16

It is highly recommended that the NVGs are worn in the up (stowed) position in case they are needed during an emergency landing.
GOM 5.11.J

Question 17

GOM: PIC make/model currency requirements?

Answer 17

If pilot has not flown make/model in previous 30 days, 3 x solo full-pattern take-offs and landings must be conducted before other personnel are allowed on board. If > 90 days, training with a company flight instructor is required.
GOM 5.12

Question 18

GOM: When shall the aircraft be preflight checked?

Answer 18

As soon as possible after shift change and prior to accepting any flight.
GOM 5.15.A

Question 19

GOM: After the beginning of shift preflight, what are the minimum preflight elements for subsequent flights?

Answer 19

1 - Determine whether the aircraft is in a condition for safe flight.
2 - Check all fluid levels (when possible)
3 - Check cowlings and baggage door security
4 - Check for leaks
5 - Verify tie down use
GOM 5.15.F.2

Question 20

GOM: With respect to patients and weight and balance requirements, what qualifies as “actual weight”?

Answer 20

Either weight from a calibrated scale OR asked weight + 10 pounds.
GOM 5.16.G.2

Question 21

GOM: Under what circumstances may a deadly or dangerous weapon be carried aboard company aircraft?

Answer 21

When approved in writing by the VP of Aviation.
GOM 5.17.D

Question 22

GOM: When orally briefing passengers, what 7 items must be covered?

Answer 22

1. Smoking
2. Use of seat belts
3. Placement of seat backs
4. Location and operation of doors and emergency exits
5. Location of survival equipment
6. Location of fire extinguisher
7. Emergency egress.
   GOM 5.17.E

Question 23

GOM: If a passenger cannot be briefed due to medical condition, how is the briefing requirement met?

Answer 23

Medical personnel will ensure compliance with all briefing items.
GOM 5.17.F

Question 24

GOM: How often should aircraft fluid levels be checked?

Answer 24

After 3.5 hours or at the completion of a transport, whichever happens first.
GOM 5.20.G

Question 25

GOM: When are pilots allowed to disengage the SAS?

Answer 25

1. To practice approaches or other types of training with no patient on board.
2. If high winds/turbulence are affecting proper control.
3. Emergencies (excluding IIMC) where the pilot feels the SAS is interfering with proper control.
4. SAS is functioning erratically
5. SAS is deferred
   GOM 5.20.H

Question 26

GOM: What are the company minimum and recommended altitudes and cloud clearances?

Answer 26

Except for takeoff and landing, 300’ AGL day and 500’ AGL night minimum.
1,000’ AGL strongly encouraged.
Basic VFR cloud clearances will be maintained for the applicable operating airspace.
GOM 5.18

Question 27

GOM: What power settings should be used when enroute?

Answer 27

Maximum continuous torque in accordance with the RFM is encouraged to a patient pickup or anytime a patient is on board, as long as airspeed or other limitations are not exceeded.
GOM 5.19

Question 28

GOM: With regards to fuel reserves, when must a Tier I OCC be notified and incorporated into fuel discussions/decisions?

Answer 28

At the first suspicion that the total fuel onboard could possibly decrease below 30 minutes at normal cruising speed/fuel consumption.
GOM 5.21.C

Question 29

GOM: 14 CFR 91.151 and 14 CFR 135.209 permit the use of the 20-minute fuel reserve. Does this permission apply to Air Evac operations?

Answer 29

No.
AEL aircraft WILL NOT be flown with less than 20 minutes of fuel onboard.
GOM 5.21.B

Question 30

GOM: If a pilot deviates from the GOM fuel reserve requirements of section 5.21, what must the pilot do?

Answer 30

Submit a written statement to the Chief Pilot within 24 hours but preferably at the completion of the flight.
GOM 5.21.G

Question 31

GOM: What are the aircraft fueling restrictions with regards to thunderstorms?

Answer 31

No fueling or defueling when there are thunderstorms within a 5-mile radius.
GOM 5.23.F

Question 32

GOM: When may the pulse light system be turned off?

Answer 32

Anytime the PIC feels that leaving the pulse light on will interfere with the safe operation of the aircraft. Examples include:
- IIMC or marginal VMC
- any time spatial disorientation or flicker vertigo are possible
- in degrading NVG conditions
CAUTION: use of pulse light below 100’ AGL during NVG operations may create distracting visual cues.
GOM 5.25.C

Question 33

GOM: If a rotor brake has been MEL’d what patient flight restrictions exist?

Answer 33

No patient flights with rotorbrake MEL’d when winds (either steady state OR gusts) exceed 15 knots.
GOM 5.28.C

Question 34

GOM: When taxiing, what is the minimum clearance between the helicopter and another aircraft?

Answer 34

Distance must be great enough that the rotor downwash could not damage the control surfaces or blow an object into antoher aircraft.
GOM 5.30.A

Question 35

GOM: What is the minimum clearance from the rotor blade tips of operating helicopters?

Answer 35

Minimum clearance will be at a distance great enough not to create a hazard to persons or property on the ground, but no closer than at least 1/3 of the rotor diameter distance from the tips of the rotor disk.
GOM 5.30.B

Question 36

GOM: If SkyTrac is not reporting a helicopter’s position, how often must position reports be given?

Answer 36

Position reports will be given to CENCOM every 15-minutes, subject to operational considerations, but time between updates shall not exceed 30 minutes.
GOM 5.31

Question 37

GOM: When does a pilot’s duty period start?

Answer 37

A pilot’s “duty period” is defined as starting when the on-coming duty pilot reports to work IAW 14 CFR 135.273.
GOM 5.32.C.4

Question 38

GOM: For night operations, when may one or both fixed lights be inoperative?

Answer 38

When the searchlight is functioning normally. Scene flights to airports or EMS/hospital pads would be acceptable.
GOM 5.76.A.2

Question 39

GOM: For night operations, if the search light is inoperative, what are the operational restrictions?

Answer 39

1 - flights are interfacility or landing at an airport
2 - All fixed lights are operational
3 - No night scene flights to unimproved areas (including PELA sites).
GOM 5.76.A.3 & 4

Question 40

GOM: If your searchlight becomes inoperative at any time before landing at a scene at night, what do you do?

Answer 40

Abort the flight or arrange an alternate improved area.
GOM 5.76.A.5

Question 41

GOM: Scenario - you are on a night transfer flight with the patient on board enroute to the receiving facility. Your searchlight has been MEL’d. As you are running through before landing checks, you realize your fixed lights aren’t working now either. What are your considerations?

Answer 41

First, determine if lighting at the facility is sufficient for a safe landing or if the flight should be diverted to another facility or airport.
Also consider that once landed, the aircaft will be considered OOS until at least one lighting system is repaired or night has ended.
GOM 5.76.A.7

Question 42

GOM: If your HTAWS is inoperative, what are your operational restrictions?

Answer 42

1 - autopilot must be operative and used
2 - synthetic vision must be operative and used
3 - No night off-airport landings or landings at unimproved areas may occur.
4 - For night flight, radar altimeter must be operative.
5- For night flight, ceiling and vis restricted to minimum of 1500ft and 5miles for entire route.
GOM 5.76.C