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DOT/FAA | RIN: 2120-AJ53 | Publication ID: Fall 2009 |
Title: ●Air Ambulance and Commercial Helicopter Operations; Safety Initiatives and Miscellaneous Amendments | |
Abstract: This rulemaking would change equipment and operating requirements for commercial helicopter operations, including many specifically for helicopter air ambulance operations. This rulemaking is necessary to increase crew, passenger, and patient safety. The intended effect is to implement the National Transportation Safety Board, Aviation Rulemaking Committee and internal FAA recommendations. | |
Agency: Department of Transportation(DOT) | Priority: Other Significant |
RIN Status: First time published in the Unified Agenda | Agenda Stage of Rulemaking: Proposed Rule Stage |
Major: No | Unfunded Mandates: No |
CFR Citation: 14 CFR 1 14 CFR 135 | |
Legal Authority: 49 USC 106(g) 49 USC 40113 49 USC 41706 49 USC 44701 49 USC 44702 49 USC 44705 49 USC 44709 49 USC 44711 49 USC 44712 49 USC 44713 49 USC 44715 49 USC 44716 49 USC 44717 49 USC 44722 49 USC 45101 49 USC 45102 49 USC 45103 49 USC 45104 49 USC 45105 |
Legal Deadline:
None |
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Statement of Need: Since 2002, there has been an increase in fatal helicopter air ambulance accidents. The FAA has undertaken initiatives to address common factors that contribute to helicopter air ambulance accidents including issuing notices, handbook bulletins, operations specifications, and advisory circulars (ACs). This rule would codify many of those initiatives, as well as several NTSB and Part 125/135 Aviation Rulemaking Committee recommendations. In addition, the House of Representatives and the Senate introduced legislation in the 111th Congress and in earlier sessions that would address several of the issues raised in this rulemaking. |
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Summary of the Legal Basis: This rulemaking is promulgated under the authority described in 49 U.S.C. 44701(a)(4), which requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations in the interest of safety for the maximum hours or periods of service of airmen and other employees of air carriers, and 49 U.S.C. 44701(a)(5), which requires the Administrator to promulgate regulations and minimum standards for other practices, methods, and procedures necessary for safety in air commerce and national security. |
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Alternatives: The FAA is currently reviewing alternatives to rulemaking. |
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Anticipated Costs and Benefits: The FAA is currently developing costs and benefits. |
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Risks: Helicopter air ambulance operations have several characteristics that make them unique, including that they are not limited to airport locations for picking up and dropping off patients, but may pick up a person at a roadside accident scene and transport him or her directly to a hospital. Helicopter air ambulance operations are also often time-sensitive. A helicopter air ambulance flight may be crucial to getting a donor organ or critically ill or injured patient to a medical facility as efficiently as possible. Additionally, patients generally are not able to choose the helicopter air ambulance company that provides them with transportation. Despite the fact that there are unique aspects to helicopter air ambulance operations, they remain, at their core, air transportation. Accordingly, the FAA has the responsibility for ensuring the safety of these operations. |
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Timetable:
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Regulatory Flexibility Analysis Required: Yes | Government Levels Affected: None |
Small Entities Affected: Businesses | Federalism: No |
Included in the Regulatory Plan: Yes | |
RIN Information URL: www.regulations.gov | Public Comment URL: www.regulations.gov |
RIN Data Printed in the FR: Yes | |
Agency Contact: Edwin Miller Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration 800 Independence Avenue SW, Commercial Operations Branch, 55 M Street SE, Washington, DC 20591 Phone:202 267-1191 Email: edwin.miller@faa.gov |