Air Medical Pre-Flight Aircraft Checklist

Pre-flight inspection for air medical rotorcraft covering aircraft systems, fuel status, medical cabin configuration, emergency equipment, and mission readiness before acceptance.

Mission Readiness and Aircraft Status

• Aircraft status indicates available for mission acceptance
• Required pre-flight documents present and current
  Verify aircraft documents, operational checklists, and required mission paperwork are on board or accessible per SOP.
• Weight and balance within approved limits
  Confirm planned crew, patient, fuel, and medical load remain within approved center-of-gravity and gross weight limits.
• Weather and mission risk review completed
  Verify current weather, route, landing zone, and operational risk factors have been reviewed before acceptance.
• Crew assigned and fit for duty
  Confirm required flight crew are present, briefed, and medically fit for the mission.

Exterior Walk-Around and Airframe

• Fuselage, skids/landing gear, and access panels free of visible damage
• Rotor blades and rotor head free of visible defects or contamination
• Fuel, oil, and hydraulic areas free of active leaks
• Static ports, pitot openings, antennas, and sensors unobstructed
• Aircraft surfaces clear of ice, snow, frost, or foreign object debris

Fuel and Powerplant

• Fuel quantity meets mission requirement with required reserve
• Fuel caps secure and properly seated
• Fuel sample clear and free of water, sediment, or contamination
• Engine inlet and exhaust areas clear of obstruction
• Engine and drive system indications within normal pre-start limits

Cockpit, Avionics, and Flight Controls

• Flight controls move freely and without abnormal binding
• Primary flight instruments and required avionics power on and self-test complete
• Navigation, communication, and transponder equipment set for mission
• Warning, caution, and advisory indications reviewed and cleared
• Cabin lighting and required switches set per departure configuration

Medical Cabin Configuration and Patient Care Equipment

• Patient litter, mounts, and restraint system secure and serviceable
• Medical equipment secured against movement during flight
• Oxygen supply quantity adequate for mission and patient needs
• Suction, monitor, and emergency medical devices operational
• Medication, disposables, and infection-control supplies stocked per mission profile