Additional Passenger on Aircraft Policy
SUBJECT: PASSENGERS ON AIRCRAFT
POLICY: All passengers are to receive an oral passenger briefing prior to flight
PURPOSE: Warrant safe transport of crew members, patients, and passengers
RESPONSIBILITY: Pilot in command, air medical crew members
PROCEDURE:
A. The final decision to allow passengers on board rests with the pilot in command.
B. Before flight, the pilot in command will ensure that all passengers are briefed and familiarized with the following information:
- Smoking: No smoking within 50 feet of the aircraft. Smoking is prohibited on board the aircraft.
- Use of Seat Belts and Shoulder Harnesses: Seat belts and shoulder harnesses must be fastened during all flights. Do not unfasten the belts until the aircraft is on the ground and the pilot notifies you that you may exit the aircraft.
- Doors and Emergency Exits: Location and use.
- Survival Equipment: Location of survival equipment.
- Location and Use of the Fire Extinguishers: Do not use the fire extinguisher in an enclosed area unless directed by the pilot, or open flames are visible, or time is a major constraint.
- Ground Operations: Never walk toward the rear of the helicopter or under the tailboom. Avoid the tail rotor area by a wide margin. Keep head and objects low when near or under the main rotor blades. Do not approach or depart the helicopter without the pilot’s approval. Use a 45 degree angle relative to the aircraft, when departing or approaching the helicopter, and stay in the pilot’s view at all times.
C. The pilot in command shall ensure that each person who may need the assistance of another person to move expeditiously to an exit if an emergency occurs, and that person’s attendant, if any, has received a briefing as to the procedures to be followed if an evacuation occurs.
D. The oral briefing is supplemented by printed passenger briefing cards for the use of each passenger. These cards contain a diagram and method of operating the emergency exits and instructions necessary for the use of emergency equipment on board the aircraft.
E. Examples of passengers that may accompany crew members are:
- Parent or guardian to accompany a critically ill or injured child
- Patients transported over great distances
- Medical personnel who are required to care for a patient
- Ride-along emergency medicine resident
- Paramedic students as part of the approved program
- Approved public relations personnel.
F. Any time a passenger is taken in the patient cabin of the BK1-7, a trained member of the University Air Care staff must accompany the patient in the back. If patient care is to be given, the staff member must be a flight nurse.
REV: 9/22/99
Source: University Air Care, Cincinnati.
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