Held on: May 15, 2025 • 19:00 (local)
Subhead: Operational focus on the pilot’s role in air Medevac — planning, in-flight decisions, and safe turnaround.

What to expect

A compact, operational webinar focused on the pilot’s responsibilities in air medical evacuation. We’ll define Medevac operations, examine mission planning and execution, and walk through real cases that show how pilot choices affect patient outcomes and crew safety. The session is practical and scenario-driven, with time for live questions.

Key takeaways

• The differences between air and ground Medevac and when each is appropriate.

• Pre-flight priorities: aircraft readiness, fuel/alternates, weather and terrain assessment, and coordination with the medical crew.

• In-flight priorities: navigation, minimizing turbulence for patient stability, effective communications with ATC and receiving hospitals, and rapid decision-making during emergencies.

• Post-flight responsibilities: safe handover, debriefing, and tasks that keep the aircraft mission-ready.

• A safety-first mindset: when slowing down, diverting, or aborting is the right choice.

Operational challenges to expect

• Rapidly changing weather (fog, squalls, thunderstorms) that forces alternate routing or abort decisions.

• Landing in improvised or remote LZs with obstacles and uneven terrain.

• Night operations with limited visual cues and higher risk.

• High time pressure: balancing speed with safety when minutes matter.

• Team coordination under stress — clear roles and concise comms are essential.

Real-world scenario

Imagine a helicopter dispatched to evacuate a seriously injured hiker from a narrow mountain ridge. The pilot must choose an approach that minimizes exposure to downdrafts, coordinate with rescue personnel on the ground, keep the receiving hospital updated, and adjust the flight profile to preserve the patient’s condition — all while making rapid, safety-focused decisions.