# STATMedEvac , A Servic e o f th e Cente rfo rEmergenc y tvfledicin e o f Wester n Pennsylvani a Inc. " Apri l 12,201 0 U S Departmen t

o f Transportatio n Docke t Operations , M-3 0 Wes t Buildin g Groun dFloo r Roo mW12-14 0 120 0 Ne w Jerse y Ave , S E Washington , D C 2059 0 c 5 T o Who mI t

Ma y Concern : 1 hereb y reques t

a n extensio n o f

Exemptio n No . 9744 , whic h wa s grante dt o STA T MedEva c b y lette r date dAugus t

22 , 2008 , an dexpire s Augus t 31 , 2010 . Thi s exemptio n grant s STA T MedEvac relie f fromth e requirement s o f th e followin g Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n (FAA ) regulations : Section s 135.213(a ) an d(b) , 135.219 , an d135.225(a ) (1) , (a ) (2) , (f) , an d(g ) o f Titl e 14 , Cod e o f

Federa l Regulations . Th e Cente r

for Emergenc y Medicine , d/b/ aSTA T MedEva c i s an emergenc y medica l service s (EMS ) operator , wit h ove r 2 5 year s o f

experienc e i n ou r operationa l area . Thi s exemptio n authorize s th e Cente r for Emergenc y Medicin e t o performinstrumen t

fligh t rule s (IFR ) departure s an dIF Rinstrumen t approac h procedure s (lAP ) at

airport s an dheliport s tha t d o not hav e an approve dweathe r reportin g source . I hav e enclose dcopies o f ou r origina l lette r

an dpetitio n date dJul y 18 , 2008 , an d you r lette r grantin g th e exemptio n date dAugus t 22 , 2008 . I f

yo u requir e anythin g further , pleas e d o not

hesitat e t o contac t

me . Than k

yo u i n advanc e for

you r consideration . Shoul dyo u hav e an y questions , I ma y b e reache dat (412 ) 460-3000 , ext . 265 . Sincerely , Joh n Kermy Directo r o f Operation s Cente r for Emergenc y Medicin e o f Wester n Pennsylvania , Inc . STA T MedEva c Enclosure s (2 )

^^Cente rfo rEmergenc y Medicin e ^^8^C(liYY \ T Q ^^^^ k O F WESTER N PENNSYLVANIA , INC . T^9 ^ \^V V I I I ' I ' ^ ^^^^^^^^ L Commueio H o n Aareditatio H ofMtdka l Thnupor t Sysbm s STATMedEva c EMERGENC Y 412/647-782 8 800/633-STA T

1 0 Alleghen y Count y Airpor t PHON E 412/460-300 0 Wes t Mifflin , P A 1512 2 FA X 412/460-322 0

# STATMedEva c Jul y 18 , 200 8 ® A Servic e o l tl w Cente rfo rEmergenc y Medicin e o 1 Wester

n Pennsylvani a Inc. *

U S Departmen t

o f Transportatio n Docke t Managemen t

Syste m 1200 Ne w Jerse y Ave , S E Wes t Buildin g Groun dFloo r RoomW12-14 0 Washington , D C 2059 0 T o who mi t

may concern : Enclose di s apetitio n t o th e Federal Aviatio n Administratio n (FAA ) fo r a n exemptio n from: Section s 135,213(a ) an d(b) , 135.219 , an d135.225(a) (1) , (a) (2) , (0 , an d(g ) o f

Titl e 14 , Cod e o f

Federal Regulations . Th e Cente r

for Emergenc y Medicine , d/b/ aSTA T MedEva c i s a n emergenc y medical service s (EMS ) operator , wit h ova : 2 5 year s o f e}q)erienc e i n our

operationa

l area . Thi s petitio n woul dautiioriz e th e Cente r for Emergenc y Medicin e to pofor m instrumen t

flight rule s (IFR ) depaitiure s an dIF Rinstrimien t approac h procedure s (lAP ) a t airport s an dheliport s tha

t d o no t hav e a n approve dweatlier

reportin g source . Thi s petitio n fo

r exen^tio n ha s bee n previousl y grante dt o otbe r EM S helicopto r operators , Eicemptio n 949 0 an dExemptio n 9665. 1 hav e usedthe sam e basi c verbiag e i n h(^e s tha t ttie petitio n fo

r exemptio n wil l b e gca&tc

dto u s base don appropriatraics s an dprecedence . Than k yo u i n advanc e fo r

you r considoation . Shoul dyo u hav e an y questions , I ma y b e readie da t 412-460-3059 .

^ . RichardGros s Directo r o f Operation s Cente r fo r Emergenc y Medicin e o f

Westo n Pomsylvania , Inc . STA T Medeva c Enclosure (1 ) 

# M Cente rforEmergency Medicin e ^^g^rnVVijr Q STATMedEva c BMERQENCY 4ia»47.7M B 600«33-STA T oF«vmiaNRNNsn.v*NiA.m

c P^ ^

\A4>l l I'i' O 1 0 Alleghen y Count y Aiipor t PHON E 412/460-300 0 West Miffln , P

A 1612 2 FA X 412/460-322 0Cente rfo rEmergenc y Medicin e

d/b/ a STA T IVIeclEvac Certificat e #:E3MA774 L 1 0 Alleghen y Count

y Airport Wes t Mifflin , PA 1512 2 Contact : RichardGross , Directo r o f Operation s Phone : 412-460-3059 , Fax : 412-460-322 0 Petition s fo

r a n exemptio n fromSection s 135.213(a) an d(b) , 135.219 , an d 135.225(a)(1) , (a)(2) , (f) , an d(g ) o f

Titl e 14 , Cod e o f

Federal Regulations . i^*i|ci|c«<iti|cit:]|:*i|ci|i**4i4i4c4c*)|c4ci|t4c4:*4:i|E4t4>i| c Thi s i s apetitio n t o the Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n (FAA ) fo r a n exen:q}tio

n from: Section s 135.213(a ) an d(b) , 135.219 , an d135.225(a ) (1) , (a ) (2) , (f) , an d(g ) o f Titl e 14 , Cod e o f

Federa l Regulations . Th e Cente r

fo r Emergenc y Medicin e i s a n emergenc y medica l service s (EMS ) operator , wit h ove r 2 5 year s experienc e i n ou r operationa l area . Thi s petitio n woul dauthoriz e Center fo r Emergenc y Medicin e to perfor minstrumen t

fligh t rule s QFR ) departure s an dIFRinstrumen t approac h procedure s (lAP ) at airport s an dheliport s tha t d o no t hav e an approve dweathe r reportin g source . Th e Cente r

for Emergenc y Medicin e request s relie f fromth e followin g sections : A . Sectio n 135.213(a ) states , i n pertinen t part , tha t wheneve r

apereo n operatin g a

n aircraf t unde r par t 13 5 i s require dt o us e aweathe r repor t o r forecast , tha t

perso n shal l us e tiiat

o f th e U S Nationa l Weathe r

Servic e (NWS) , asotuc e approve db y th e NWS , o r asourc e approve db y th e Administrator . However , for operation s unde r

visua l fligh t

rule s (VFR) , th e pilo t i n comman d(PIC ) may , i f suc h arepor t

i s no t available , us e weathe r

informatio n base do n that

pilot' s ow n observation s o r thos e o f othe r person s competen t

t o supply appropriat e observations . B . Sectio n 13S.213(b ) states , i n pertinen t part , tha t for th e purpose s o f

paragrap h (a ) o f

thi s section , weathe r

observation s mad e an dfoinishedt o pilot s t o conduc t IF Roperation s a

t a n aiiport mus t b e take n a t

th e airpor t where thos e IF Roperation s ar e conducted , unles s th e Administrato r

issue s operation s specification s Operation s Specification s allowin g th e us e o f weathe r observation s take n a t

alocatio n no t

a t th e airpor t

wher e th e IF Roperation s ar e conducted . Th e Administrato r issue s suc h Operation s Specification s when , afte r investigatio n b y th e NW S an dth e FA A Fligh t Standard s Disti-ic t

Offic e (FSDO ) charge d wit h th e overal l inspectio n o f th e certificat e holdra: , i t

i s foim dtha t th e standard s o f

safety fo r that operatio n woul dallo w th e deviatio n fromthi s paragrap h for aparticula r operatio n for whic h an ai r

taxi/commercia

l operato r (ATCO ) operatin g certificat e ha s bee n issued .

### C . Sectio

n 135.21 9 state s tha

t n o person ma

y tak e of f a n aircraf t unde r IF Ro r begi n a n IF Ro r over-the-to p operation unles s the latest

weathe r report s o r forecasts , or

an y combinatio

n o f them, indicat

e tha t weathe r condition s a

t the estimatedtime o

f arriva l (ETA ) a t the nex t airpor t o f intende dlanding will b e a

t o r abov e authorizedIF

Rlanding minimums . Sectio n 135.225(a

) state s tha t n o pilo t ma y begin a n LA P t o a n airpor t unless : 1 . Tha t aiipor t ha s aweathe

r reportin g facilit y operatedb y th

e NWS , asource approve dby the NWS , o

r asource {^prove

d b y tiie Administrator ; an

d 2 . Th e lates t weathe r repor t issue dby tha t weatiie r reporting facilit

y indicate s tha

t weathe r condition s ar

e a t o r abov e the authorize

dIF Rlandin g nunimums fo

r tha t aiiport . D . Section 135.225(f

) state s tha

t i f takeof f minimums ar

e specifiedi n par

t 9 7 of thi s chapte r fo r di e takeof f airport , n o pilot

ma y takeof f a n aircraf t unde r IF Rwhe n the weathe

r condition s reporte db y th e facilit y describedi n paragrap h (a) (1 ) o f thi s sectio n ar e les s tha n th e takeof

f minimum s specifie

dfor the takeof f airpor t i n par t 9 7 o r in th e cratificat

e holder' s Operation s Specifications . E . Sectio n 135.225(g) state s tha

t excep t as provide din paragrap

h (h ) of thi s section , iftakeo S minimum s ar e no t prescribedi n par

t 97 o f thi s ch^te r

fo r th e takeof f airport , no pilo t

ma y takeof f a n aircraf t unde r IF Rwhe n tb e weathe

r condition s reporte db y the facilit y describedi n paragraph (a) (1 ) o f

thi s section ar

e les s tha n tha t prescribe di

n par t 9 1 o f thi s chapte r o r i n tiie certificat

e holder' s Operation s Specifications . Th e Cente r fo r Emergency Medicine support s thi s reques t

for exemptio n wit h th e foUowin g infoimation : During th e early 90' s th e Weathe

r Servic e was closin g man

y Fligh t Servic e Station s through-ou t the UnitedStates , witii the promis e tha t AWO S station s woul

dfiilfil l tiie need s fo r weathe r reporting . O f

course , thos e AWOS/ASO S installation s tha t wer e conqslete d wer e onl y a t airport s an dnon e to si^jpor t ho^itals ; unlik

e a t aiiports , aiipor

t ini^nnvemen

t fund s (AIP ) ar e no t available t o suf^t t the purchasin

g o f AWO S systems a

t private hospita

l heliports . I

n th e mid-90's , andwit

h th e introductio n o f

GP S a s asignal-in-spac e (SIS) , the helicopte

r EM S industr

y wa s finally provide daSI S tha t supporte dQ>pte r lAP s t o hospita l heliports . In addition t

o providin g highe r leve l healtii car

e t o criti c patent s needin

g emergenc y transpor t to ahighe r level medica

l ^cility , increasedsafet

y for th e EM S c^erato r als o becam

e posdbl e b y providing IF

Rcap^iUt y above th e CFI

T threa t during di e enrout

e phas e o f flight. Eve n thoug h ther e i s still anee

dfo r mor e weathe r station s throughou

t the Unite dStates , t o include withi n th e Cente r fo r Emergency Medicine' s operationa l area , th e existin g AWOS stations , an dothe r weathe r source s locate da

t airports , suppor

t Th e Cente r fo r Emergenc y Medicine' s 60 + hospital-base dCopte r RNA V (GPS ) procedures .

### Al

l o f thes e Copte

r lAP s woul drequir e weathe r reportin g withou t di e approva l of thi s petition . I t woul d cos t a n estimated$3,900,000 t

o purchas e an

d instal l a n AWOS- 3 a

t eac h o f thes e hospitals ; acos t

tha t neithe r tiie hospital s themselves , no r Cente r fo r Emergenc y Medicine , coul

djustify , an

dwhic h i s roughl y four-time s th

e cos t to estabUs h th e lAP s themselves . Durin g arecen t semina r organizedby th e French aerospac e institut e to discus s Helicopte r GP S approaches , Philipp e Rollet , Eurocopter' s manage r o f operationa

l researc h stated , "Man

y hehcopte r pilots choose t

o fly unde r VF Rrule s t o avoi d IF R constraints . The

y ofte n fly in margina

l weathe r conditions , whic

h threate n safety . "U.S . statistic s sho

w tha t 9 9 percen t of weather-relate dhelicopte

r accident s affec

t VF R flights". Th e Cente r fo r Emergenc y Medicine believe s tha t although man

y mode mhelicopter s hav e Instrumen

t Flight Rule s (IFR

) capabiht y thi s ha s no

t bee n widel y use dbecaus e th e NA S doe s not suppor t helicopte r IF Roperation s t

o th e destinatio

n heliports . I

n th e U.S. , onl y a n estimate d1 0 percent

o f helicopte r flights ar e conducte dimde

r EFR . Sinc e th e mid-to-lat e 90's , andwit

h th e introductio n o f

GPS a s aSI S fo

r Copte r lAPs , advancements hav e been realizedan dapproximatel

y 23 0 Copte

r RNA V (GPS ) lAP s have bee n developed . Nearl

y al l o f thes e advancement s hav e neede dto b e privatel y funded ; althoug h FA

A ha s investedsignificantl

y i n othe r segment s o f

the aviation commimity . Th

e U.S . Congres s has give

n specia l attentio n t

o the EMS missio n an

d hospita l GPS-basedlAP s in Section 103 , Federa l Aviatio n Administratio

n Op«ations , (b ) Authorize dExpenditure s - Sectio

n 106(k)(2) , an

dthereb y duly notedth e benefit s t o societ y EM S operator s provide , an dtiie importanc e o f

supporting GPS-base

dapproac h procedure s to hospitals . I n a200 5 FA A Ai r Ambulanc e Tas k Force Recommendatio

n Documen

t #AER-1 0 i

t i s state d tha t visibilit y i s acausa

l facto r in accidents ; "I

t appear s margina

l visibilit y ha s bee n a significan t facto r i n anumbe

r of helicopte r medica l evacuatio n accident s operatin g unde r VF Ri n tiie pas t

severa l years. " I n addition , tiie recen

t FA A notic e #8000.29 3 identifie s tha

t night . Visua

l Fligh t Rule s (VFR) , an

dInadverten

t Instrumtm t Meteorologica

l Condition s (INC) , a s primar y area s of conce mfo r HEM S operations . Th e Cente r for Emergency Medicin

e believe s safet

y ca n b e improve

dby operation s i

n th e IF R system . Tha

t i s wh y th e Cente

r for Emergenc y Medicin e wa s th e first

t o implemen

t helicopte r GP S ap]Hx>ache

s i n th e EMS industr

y Toda y EM S helicopte

r operators ar

e usin g helicopte r GP S approache s an

dthi s industr

y ha s a n ove r ten yea r histor y t o sho w tiiat th e abilit y to file m i fly IF

Runde r Par t 9 1 ha s agrea t safet y advantag e in th e reduction o f EM S helicopter

accidente . Having th e abilit y t o conduc t thes e GP S approache s unde

r Par t 13 5 wouldgiv e th e EM S industr y not jus t an equivalen

t level o f safety , bu t afa r greate r leve l o f safety . I n th e te

n plu s yea r histor y thousand s o f

Helicopte r GP S approache s have bee

n flown tln-oughou

t fb e Unite d State s wit h n o accidents . TTi

e Cente r fo r Emergency Medicine onl

y know s o f

tw o of ove r thre e hundredhospital s service db y a n lA P tha t hav e weathe

r reporting stations . B y grantin g thi s exemption , th e FA

A wil l ope n th e saf e us e o f Copte r RNA V (GPS ) lAP s a

t di e hoqsital s within the Cente r fo r Emergenc y Medicine' s IF

Roperations . T

o drai y tiiis petitio n wil l threate n relegatin g Cente r fo r Emergenc y Medicin e t o conductin g it s EM S mission s under

VFR , whic h bot

h reduce s safet

y wit h increase dCFI

T risks , an d reduce s the leve

l of servic e an d benefits t

o societ y b y limiting Cente

r fo r Emergenc y Medicine' s abilit

y t o conduc t it s transports of

critica l patient s fromrura

l hospital s t

o leve l on e traumacenter s an

dothe r acut e car e facilities .I n Januar y 200 6 th e NTS B mad e recommendation s tha t al l leg s o f

EM S operation s b e conducte dunder

Par t 135 . Th e Cente r

fo r Emergenc y Medicin e believe s th e primary premis e behin ddi e NTS B recommendatio n for "al l leg s FA R135 " ha dt o d o wit h EM S accident s wit h respec t t o th e VFRenvironment

an dno t th e IFRenvironment . Thi s recommendatio n i s siq)porte db y th e Center fo r Emergenc y Medicin e an dth e EM S industry , bu t

unles s relie f

i s grante dfromdi e cuiren t rule s requirin g weathe r

reportin g a

t eac h airpor t or heliport , operator s canno t continu e t o file andfly IF Rt o neede dlocations . Th e affecte dsection s shoul db e protectin g EM S operators , but , instea dar e encouragin g themt o fly i n margina

l weather condition s under

VFRbecaus e o f

th e no n availabilit

y o f ^prove dweathe r reportin g sources . W e believ e dia t

i t i s safer t o file a n IF Rflight

pla n an dt o operat e unde r IF Rtha n t o conduc t flight operation s unde r

VF Ri n marginal visual meteorological condition s (VMC) . W e believ e operator s are committe dto th e saf o an dsuccessfu l completio n o f thei r EM S flints. W

e als o believ e tha

t operatin g i n margina l VM C weathe r condition s ha s bee n th e singl e mos t frequent causal &cto r

i n EM S aircraf

t accidents . Th e Cente r

for Emergenc y Medicin e state s tha t th e propose dexemptio n woul dincreas e th e leve l o f safet y tha t i s no w provide db y givin g operator s th e abilit y to operat e i n accordanc e wit h IF Rmore often . Thi s woul dminimiz e th e nee dfor marginal VFRfligh

t operations . We believ e tha t afully traine dcrew , followin g prope r IF Rprocedures , i n aproperl y equippe daircraft , ca n onl y enhanc e safety . W e believ e tha

t grantin g th e propose dexonptio n i n regard s to lAP s woul dnot promote imprope r descen t belo w minimums , becaus e weathe r reportin g i s no t

neede donc e appropriat e descen t minimum s ar e establishe dfor th e ^ecifi c lA P bein g used . Thi s ha s bee n prove n throughou t mor e tha n te n year s o f

experimc e b y th e helicopte r industry . FAA' s Standar dInstrumen t Procedure s (TERPS ) criteri arequir e establishin g lA P minimum s b e increase dwhe n usin g a remot e altimeter ; therefore , ahead y tak e int o accoun t th e locatio n o f

th e neares t

statio n for reportin g barometric pressur e reading s whe n determinin g minimums . Eac h o f Centcar s for Emergmc y Medicine' s lAP s ^iprove db y FA A widK}u t bca l weathe r

ha s bee n adjuste di n accordanc e with TERP S an daRemot e Altimete r Settin g Sourc e (RASS ) adjustment mad e to dieMDA . Relate dt o thi s petition , w e not e th e FAA recentl y grante dt o fractional owner s und«

- 91.1039 : A . N o pilo t

may begi n a

n instrumen t

approac h procedur e to a

n airpor t o r helipor t unless :1 . Eithe r

tha t airport o r th e alternat e airport

ha s aweathe r

reportin g facility operate db y th e U.S . Nationa l Weathe r

Service , asourc e approve db y th e U.S . Nationa l Weathe r Service , o r

asourc e approve db y th e Administrator ; an d 2 . Th e lates t

weathe r repor t issue db y th e weathe r

reportin g facilit y include s acurren t local altimete r settin g for

th e destinatio n airport . I f n o loca l altimete r

settin g i s availabl e a

t th e destinatio n airport , th e pilo t mus t obtai n th e curren t

loca l altimete r

settin g from asourc e provide d b y th e facility designate do n th e approac h char t for th e destinatio n airport . B . Fo r flight plannin g purposes , i f

th e destinatio n airpor t

doe s no t hav e aweathe r

reportin g facilit y describe di n paragrap h (a)(1 ) o f thi s section , th e pilo t

mus t designat e a s a

n alternat e a

n airpor t o r helipor t that ha s aweathe r

reportin g facility meetin g that criteria . C . Th e MD A o r

Decisio n Altitud e an dvisibility landin g minimum s prescribe di n par t 9 7 o f thi s chapte r o r Specia l lAPs ' a s grante db y th e Operation s Specification s ar e increase db y 1/ 2 mil e respectively , bu t

no t t o excee dth e require dminimum s for tha t airport whe n use da s a

n alternat e airport , fo r

eac h pilo t

i n comman do f

aturbine-powere dhelicopte r i n categor y an dclas s wh o ha s no t serve dat leas t 7 5 hour s a s pilo t

i n comman di n tha t

aircraft . W e reques t

th e capabilit y t o operat e al l leg s unde r Par t 13 5 wit h aweathe r

exemption , simila r

t o tha t provide di n Sectio n 91.103 9 an dsimila r t o th e relie f

grante di n FA R135.225(b) . W e believ e peopl e plac e thei r live s int o th e arm s o f

th e EM S syste mwithou t though t -onl y hope . W e believ e tha t

th e propose dexemptio n woul db e i n th e publi c interes t b y providin g safe r operations . I t

woul dprovid e safe r

operation s an dincrease dEM S operation s t o mor e tha n 90 0 airport s o r

heliport s i n th e nationa l airspac e syste mtha t hav e approve dlAPs , bu t d o no t hav e approve dweathe r

reportin g sources . Th e propose dexemptio n woul dallo w mor e patient s t o b e move dsafel y an dmor e efficientl y withi n th e parameter s o f th e Nationa l Airspac e an dth e Ai r Traffi c Contro l System . Whe n tryin g to sav e acriticall y injure dchil do r adul t a t ascene , o r

whe n adesperatel y il l patien t need s transpor t

fro masmal l outlyin g facilit y t o alarge , urba n hospita l wit h specialize d medica l services , tim e i s a s muc h adeterminan t o f outcom e a s specifi c injury o r illness . Th e bes t decisio n i s ofte n no t

merel y placin g apatien t i n th e first

availabl e groun dambulanc e an d racin g to th e closes t

hospital . A full y integrate dgroun dan dai r EM S syste mi s mor e concerne d wit h acces s tim e t o atraum acenter , th e qualit y o f car e delivere ddurin g transport , an dreductio n o f "out o f hospita l time " t o th e mos t appropriat e tertiar y settin g a s ameans t o improvin g patien t outcomes . W e believ e that

th e transportatio n o f

patient s unde r

th e propose dexemptio n woul db e limited . Th e decisio n t o transpor t

woul db e mad e b y medica l personne l base do n th e patient' s condition . I f th e patien t

i s bein g transferre dfromon e hospita l t o another .aphysician i s involve di n th e decisio n t o transfer . Fo r patient s whos e illnes s o r

injur y occur s outsid e o f ahospital , "o n scene " medica l personne l hav e avariety o f tool s t o hel p themidentif

y th e appropriate metho do f

transport . Thes e includ e numerica l evaluatio n system s whic h clearl y identif y whe n atota

l score indicate s ai r

o r groun dtransport . Th e Cente r fo r Emergenc y Medicme propose s severa l condition s an dlimitation s tha t woul db e include di n th e propose dexemption : A Authorizatio n i s limite dt o fligh t segment s associate dwit

h an Ai r Ambulanc e missio n t o includ e th e return t o bas e le g o f th e mission . . B . Authorizatio n i s limite dto IFRequippe dan dcertifiedhelicopter s andpilot s wit h acurren t 135.29 7 check . C Eac h helicopte r

operate dunder

thi s exen^tio n mus t

b e fully eqidpped , certifie dandmaintaine d t o conduc t

IF Roperation s unde r

par t 135 . Eac h helicopte r

operate dunde r

thi s exemptio n mus t b e equippe dwit h a

n approve dan doperabl e rada r altimete r an deithe r

a n approve dan d operabl e weadie r

rada r o r approve dan doperabl e lightnin g detectio n equipmen t o r a data-uplin k

with capabilit y for

rada r images . D . Authorizatio n i s limite dto pilot s wh o annually conplet e a n approve dcours e o n weadie r observatio n an

dinstrumen

t operatin g {utjcedure s for

location s withou t

weathe r reporting . Th e cours e wil l include , a s aminimum , th e following : Groun dSchoo l Cours e Curriculu m A . FA RReview . Thi s sectio n wil l includ e arevie w o f part s 1,61,91 , an d13 5 a s the y ^pl y t o flight

unde r IFR . 1. 5 hour s B . Airme n Informatio n Manual (AIM ) Review . A revie w o f

th e AI M wit

h specia l onphasi s place do n IF Roperation s a s covere di n Chtqste

r 5 an d1 0 (Special Instrumen t Operations ) o f

th e AIM . 1. 0 hour s C . Interpretin g Weathe r

an dWeathe r

Reports/Forecasts . A revie w o f

weathe r phenomeno n an dsystems , a s wel l a s weathe r service s availabl e t o th e pilo t suc h a s sequenc e reports , are aan dterminal forecasts , pilo t

reports , an din-flight

advisories . 2. 0 hour sD . Instrumen t Char t Review . Cover s instrument

flight planning , instrument

procedure s a

t both controlle dan

d uncontrolle daiiports , an darevie w o f instrumen t

charts . 2. 0 hour s E . Cockpi t

Resourc e Managemen t

(CRM) . A revie w woul db e require do f ke y CR M concept s suc h a s decisio n makin g andjudgment , situationa l awareness , an dmanagemen t flight resources . 1. 5 hour s F . Method s fo

r Detemunin g Weathe r

Observation s b y th e Pilo t Cover s method s fo

r determinin g presen t

visibilit y (measure do r

estimated) , method s fo r determinin g estimate dceihngs , an dth e method s for weathe r observatio n use db y th e NWS . 2. 0 Hour s 10. 0 hour s tota l Th e Cente r

fo r Emergenc y Medicin e als o state s tha t safet y ha s alway s bee n th e underlyin g caus e fo r establishin g regulation s governin g flight Throughou t

di e regulator

y inocess , th e FAA , i n accordanc e wit h th e aviatio n industry , ha s develope dacomprehensiv e se t o f regulation s unparallele dthroughou t

th e world . Sound , effectiv e rule s ar e vdidate db y thoroug h acciden t analysis . Wher e regulation s ar e insufficien t t o provid e appropriat e level s o f safety , thes e regulation s ar e rewritten , unti l thi s goa l i s achieved . Th e Center

for Emergenc y Medicin e state s that regulation s ar e als o reviewe dandrevise dt o tak e advantag e o f

eve r changin g an dadvancin g technologies . 8 0 year s o f industry growth ha s elapse dsinc e th e firs t

regulation s governin g fligh t wer e enacted . Th e industr y ha s mature dfrom navigatin g b y Hghte dbeacon s t o navigatin g b y satellites . W e believ e tha t

jus t a s th e FAA , aviation , an dth e industr y ha s evolved , s o ha s th e NWS . Th e weathe r

gatherin g an ddisseminatio n syste moriginall y estabtishe dwa s designate dt o suppor t aiiplanes a t

airport s providin g commercial servic e t o di e public . W e believ e tha t th e initia l need s o f

airline s dictate dthat , with th e resource s available , th e safes t an dmos t feasibl e location s fo

r dat acollectin g woul db e a t th e airport . Thes e termina l r^ort s wer e the n collecte d an danalyze db y atraine dforecaster t o develo p an are aforecas t whic h coul db e use dfor terminal s whic h di dnot

hav e aweathe r

observatio n station . Th e Cente r fo r Emergenc y Medicin e believe s tha t

th e safes t an dmos t practica l weather .gatherin g an dcommunication s procedure s availabl e wer e established , an dno w for mth e basi s fo r th e curren t

procedures . W e stat e that

onc e th e initia l regulatory framework wa s established , th e proble mwa s on e o f keepin g u p witi i di e rapi dgrowf t of di e industry , an ddii s proble mpersist s today . Th e Cente r for Emergenc y Medicin e state s tha t i t wa s not , an dstil l i s not , withi n th e FAA' s budge t t o support weathe r observatio n station s fo

r ever y ne w terminal , general aviatio n airport , o r hospital heliport . Cente r

fo r Emergenc y Medicin e state s that drive n b y cos t

an dsyste mlimitations , th e FAA ha s trie dt o kee p pac e wit h th e growth o f th e industr y b y acceptin g modification s t o th e regulation s t o allo w exception s fo r weathe r reportin g throug h Operation s Specifications . Th e Cente r

fo r Emergenc y Medicin e state s tha t b y controllin g fligh t

operation s throug h Operation s Specifications , a n equivalent

leve l o f safet y i s maintained , flexibility i s provide dfo

r th e operator , an da

n impossibl e burde n i s remove dfromth e FAA . W e believ e that

Operation s Specification s approval s fo r deviatio n fromth e FAR s ar e commo n practic e withi n th e industry . Th e Cente r fo r Emergenc y Medicin e state s tha t presentl y five o f

th e larges t

helicopte r

operator s ar e certifie dt o operat e unde r IF Rwithou t weathe r reportin g a

t certai n sites . Thi s i s permitte dthroug h thei r part 13 5 Operation s Specifications . W e stat e tha t

presently , th e FAA , throug h thes e Operation s Specifications , issue s approval s t o conduc t

termina l IF Roperation s withou t weathe r observatio n facilitie s o n th e immediat e site . Additionally , provision s exis t whic h allo w pilot s operatin g i n certai n areas , t o expan dth e servic e are areport

fix)mon e statio n to includ e abloc k o f ai r spac e 6 0 mile s lon g b y 8 0 mile s wide . However , thes e procedure s stil l d o no t provid e enoug h flexibility t o ensur e th e safes t operation s possibl e for

th e EM S industry . We believ e tha

t durin g th e las t

3 5 years , th e NW S ha s upgrade dan dimplemente dne w equipment a s ne w technologie s hav e emerged . Th e weadie r commimit

y ha s gon e fromvisual observation s t o radar

siu^eillance , computer

enhancement , compute r

gatherm g an dsatellite observations . W e stat e tha t

th e FA A ha s als o take n advantag e o f technolog y innovations , a s evidence db y reducin g th e numbe r

o f Fligh t Servic e Station s an dweathe r reportin g manne dfacilitie s aroun dth e country . Th e installatio n o f Automate dWeathe r

Observatio n Statio n (AWOS/ASOS ) S3^stems , thoug h goo dwhe n available , canno t possibl y provid e coverag e t o every site . W e believ e tha t th e metho do f

collectio n o f

weathe r informatio n an dweadier forecastin g ha s improve ddramatically , bu t change s t o operationa l procedure s hav e no t bee n implemente dt o tak e advantag e o f thes e improvements . T o enhanc e th e safety o f IFR operations , particularl y a s i t relate s t o EM S necessitate s tha t operatin g procedure s chang e t o kee p pac e with syste mimprovements . Fro mth e FAA' s study , Rotorcraf t Lo w Altitud e IF RBenefit/Cos t Analysis : Conclusion s an d Recommendations , publishe dOctober 1993 : "Effective EM S operation s requir e tha t lA P c^abilitie s ar e availabl e a t bot h th e hospital wher e th e patien t i s picke du p an dth e hospital where th e patien t i s delivered.. . Hospital heliport s provid e tremendou s benefit s t o th e natio n i n term s o f providin g EM S helicopter s wit h rapi d acces s t o hospitals . Usin g thes e heliports , helicopte r EM S service s sav e live s an dreduc e morbidity (faste r

recover y frominjury , decreas e i n lon g termdisability , etc. ) Thes e benefit s coul db e increase dthroug h th e installatio n o f non-precisio n LAPs at

hospita l heliports . Thi s analysi s indicate s that , at man y hospital s heliports , th e benefit/cos t ratio o f anon-precisio n 

# r roac h i s ver

y large . I n anumbe r

o f case s i t i s large r tha n 1,00 0 t o 1. " Th e stud y als o cite s cru x o f th e proble mwit h IF Roperation s t o thes e facilities , "Currently , amajor constrain t to di e missio n i s th e lac k

o f availabl e weathe

r information . Thi s i s particularl y tru e i n rural area s wher e weathe r

observation s ar e often lacking, "W e believ e tha t denyin g th e utilizatio n o f

helicoptCTs t o thei r

fulles t c^abilitie s i s killin g people , bot h b y forcing EM S operator s t o operat e under VF Ri n margina l condition s an db y denyin g saf e IFRoperation s t o mov e patient s who tml y warrant rapi dtransport . W

e believ e w e ar e payin g dearl y for ou r limitations . Th e Cente r for Emergenc y Medicin e note s tha t dier e hav e bee n previou s petition s for exemptio n tha t propose dsimilar

relie f t o thi s reques t

an dtha t som e o f thes e petition s wer e denied . Th e Cente r for Emergenc y Medicin e state s tha t th e majo r difficult y cite dconsistenti y i n th e FA A denial s o f exemptio n refe r

t o aNTS B stud y base do n dat acollecte dbetwee n 196 4 an d1975 . Cente r fo r Emergenc y Medicin e state s tha t thi s stud y reflect s n o helicopte r IF Rdata . Th e Colte r for Emergenc y Medicin e state s tha t before considerin g thi s exemption , i t shoul db e urge dtha t criteri afo r

judgmen t

b e base do n appropriat e hehcopte r operation s data . Agai n whe n thi s exemptio n wa s first requeste dn o historica l dat aexisted . Wit h ove r to i year s o f

dat a wit h n o accident s o n GP S IFRapproache s th e findings o f th e NTS B o f

pilot s descendin g belo w th e MD A hol dn o credence . Als o mentione di n th e Conclusion s andRecommendation s o f th e 199 3 Rotorcraf

t Lo w Altitiid e IF RBenefit/Cos t Analysis :

• Th e roton^af

t ha s differen

t flight ci^MbiUtie s an dlimitation s tha n fixed-wing aircraf t an dofte n perform s uniqu e missions. "

• "Whe n Rotorcraf

t conduct s IF Rapproache s an ddepartures , the y hav e significantl y mor e equabilit y than fixed-wing aircraft. "

• "Rotorcraf

t approache s to heUports/vertipoit s fi?ee approac h slot s t o arunway. " W e are no w i n th e 21s t

century : IFRhehcopte r

operation s ar e bein g reconsidere d andresh^ied . Project s like di e Extremely Lo w VisibiUt y IF RRotcMJcraf

t Approach (ELVIRA) woricshop ar e drawin g th e line s t o thi s fixture. Th e Cente r fo r Emergenc y Medicin e believe s that di e grantin g o f

thi s exemptio n reques t

i s clearl y aligne dwit h th e FAA' s Missio n Statement : 'T o provid e th e safes t mos t efficient aerospac e syste mi n th e world. " Th e Cente r for Emergenc y Medicin e state s that firat an dforemost , w e mus t

enabl e EM S HeUcopter s t o utiliz e di e capabilitie s tha t

hav e not bee n fiilly realized . Finally , w e recogniz e an dimderstan dth e FAA' s positio n o n thi s finding. W e behev e i f grante dth e operation s unde r thi s exemptio n wil l alway s pla n for an d requir e a n alternat e airport

wit h approve dweathe r

reporting .

# o

US . Departmen t 80 0 independenc e Ave. . S W O f Transportatio n Washington , D C 2059 1 Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n Augus t 22 , 200 8 Exemptio n No . 974 4 Regulator y Docke t

No . FAA-2008-081 1 Mr . Richar dGros s Directo r o f Operation s Cente r for Emergenc y Medicin e o f

Wester n Pennsylvania , Inc . d.b.a . STA T MedEva c 1 0 Alleghan y Count y Airport Wes t Mifflin , P A 1512 2 Dea r Mr . Gross : Thi s lette r

i s t o infor

myo u tha t

w e hav e grante dyou r

reques t fo r exemption . I t

transmit s our decision , explain s it s basis , an dgive s yo u th e condition s an dlimitation s o f th e exemption , includin g th e dat e i t

ends . Th e Basi s fo r

Ou r Decisio n B y lette r date dJul y 18 , 2008 , yo u petitione dth e Federa l Aviatio n Administratio n (FAA ) o n behal f o f Cente r for Emergenc y Medicin e o f

Wester n Pennsylvania , Inc. , d.b.a . STA T MedEva c (STA T MedEvac) , for a n exemptio n from§ § 135.213(a ) an d(b) , 135.219 , an d 135.225(a)(1 ) an d(2) , (f) , an d(g ) o f Title 14 , Cod e o f Federa l Regulation s (1 4 CFR) . Tha t exemption , i f

granted , woul dallo w STA T MedEvac t o conduc t instrumen t

flight rule s (IFR ) departure s an dIF Rapproac h procedure s a t airport s an dheliport s tha t d o not hav e a n approve d weathe r reportin g source . Th e FA A ha s determine dtha t goo dcaus e exist s fo

r no t publishin g asummar y o f th e petitio n i n th e Federa l Registe r

becaus e th e requeste dexemptio n woul dno t se t aprecedent , an dan y dela y i n actin g o n thi s petitio n woul db e detrimenta l t o STA T MedEvac . Th e FA A ha s issue dgrant s o f exemptio n i n circumstance s simila r i n al l materia l respect s t o thos e presente di n you r

petition . I n Partia l Gran t o f Exemptio n No . 6175 , a s amended , th e FA A foun dtha t

permittin g onl y IF

Rdeparture s a

t airport s and/o r

heliport s tha t

d o no t hav e a n AFS-08-376- Eapprove dweathe r reportin g source , subjec t t o certai n condition s an dlimitations , woul dno t reduc e th e leve l o f

safet y currentl y provide db y th e regulations . I n Gran t o f Exemptio n No . 9490 , th e FA A foun dtha t operation s unde r

thi s exemptio n woul db e i n th e publi c interes t onl y fo r thos e flight s o n whic h ther e i s apatien t wh o ha s amedica l conditio n tha t requires , an di s appropriat e for , transportatio n b y emergenc y medica l servic e helicopte r t o a n airpor t or heliport . Havin g reviewe dyou r

reason s fo

r requestin g a

n exemption , I findthat

— • the y d o no t

diffe r materiall y fromthos e presente db y th e petitioner s i n th e enclose dgrant s o f exemption ; • th e reason s state db y th e FA A fo r grantin g th e enclose dexemption s als o appl y t o th e situatio n yo u present ; an d • agran t

o f exemptio n i s i n th e publi c interest . Ou r Decisio n Unde r th e authority containe di n 4 9 U.S.C . 4011 3 an d44701 , whic h th e FA A Administrato r ha s delegate dt o me , I hereb y gran t Cente r for Emergenc y Medicin e o f Wester n Pennsylvania , Inc. , d.b.a . STA T MedEva c a n exemptio n from§ § 135.213(a ) an d(b) , 135.219 , an d 135.225(a)(1 ) an d(2) , (f) , an d(g ) t o th e exten t necessar y t o allo w STA T MedEvac t o conduc t IF Rdeparture s an dIF Rapproac h procedure s a t airport s an dheliport s tha t d o not hav e a n approve dweathe r

reportin g source , subjec t t o th e condition s an dlimitation s describe dbelow . Condition s an dLimitation s 1 . Th e exemptio n i s limite dt o helicopte r emergenc y medica l flight s conducte db y STA T MedEva c imde r

operatin g certificat e No . E3MA774 L i n support o f a medica l transpor t

operation ; example s o f

thi s "support " includ e flight s to pic k up apatien t whos e medica l conditio n i s appropriat e fo r helicopte r

emergenc y medica l evacuatio n service s (HEMS ) transpor t o r t o positio n fo

r pick-u p an d subsequentl y transpor t

a n organ . 2 . Us e o f

thi s exemptio n i s authorize donl y a t airport s o r

heliport s wit h a

n instrumen t

approac h procedur e (lAP ) an da t whic h aweathe r

repor t i s no t availabl e fromth e U.S . Nationa l Weathe r Servic e (NWS) , asourc e approve db y th e NWS , o r

asourc e approve db y th e Administrator . 3 . IFRdeparture s mad e unde r provision s o f

thi s exemptio n ar e authorize donl y afte r th e pilo t i n comman d(PIC ) o f

th e affecte dfligh t

determine s tha t

th e weathe r condition s a

t th e departur e poin t

ar e a t o r abov e visua l flight

rule s minimums . Thi s ma y b e determine db y th e PIC' s ow n observatio n o r tha t o f anothe r perso n competen t

t o suppl y appropriat e observations .4 . Th e PI C ma y us e are aforecast s for informatio n regardin g th e weathe r observe din th e vicinit y o f

th e destinatio n airport . In additio n t o th e are aforecast , th e operato r mus t us e a n approve dweathe r

reportin g sourc e locate dwithi n 1 5 nautica l mile s fromth e destinatio n airport/heliport . Th e PI C wil l obtai n th e altimete r setting s wit h an y applicabl e adjustment s for th e LA P fromth e weathe r

facility specifie don th e instrumen t

approac h chart . 5 . Eac h PI C wh o conduct s operation s unde r thi s exemptio n must

— a . Hav e acurren t

§ 135.29 7 PI C instrumen t proficienc y check ; b . B e certificate dt o conduc t th e IF Roperation s permitted ; c . B e trainedi n accordanc e wit h th e certificat e holder' s approve dtrainin g progra man dannuall y complet e a n approve dcours e o n weathe r observatio n an dinstrumen t

operatin g procedure s fo

r location s withou t

weathe r reportin g a s describe di n conditio n No . 7 below ; d . B e qualifie di n accordanc e with th e requirement s o f part 135 ; e . B e curren t

i n al l requirement s t o performoperation s unde r IF Rin th e mak e o r mode l o f helicopte r

bein g used ; f . B e teste dan dchecke do n EF Roperation s a

t imcontrolle dairports . 6 . Eac h helicopte r

operate dunde r

thi s exemptio n mus t

be — a . Full y equippe dan dcertifie dt o conduc t IFRoperation s unde r

part 135 ; b . Equippe dwit h a

n approve dan doperabl e radar altimeter ; c . Equippe dwit h sever e weathe r detectio n equipment , suc h a s airborn e weathe r radar o r lightnin g detection . Thi s equipmen t mus t b e operating ; d . Equippe dwit h a

n operabl e autopilo t

i f use di n lie u o f

th e secon di n command ; an d e . Equippe dwit h a

n operabl e IFRcertifie dglobal positionin g syste m appropriat e t o th e approac h t o b e flown . 7 . Befor e conductin g an y operation s unde r thi s exemption , STA T MedEvac mus t submi t t o an dhav e approve db y it s FA A principa l operation s inspecto r an amendmen t

t o it s approve dtrainin g progra mthat includes , a s aminimum , th e curriculu mprovide dbelow . Th e cours e mus t b e aminimu mo f

10. 0 hour s an d includ e th e following :Groun dSchoo l Cours e Curriculum : a . Federa l Aviatio n Regulatio n Review . Thi s revie w mus t includ e part s 1 , 61 , 91 , an d13 5 a s the y appl y t o flights unde r IF Rminimu mo f 1. 5 hour s b . Aeronautica l Informatio n Manua l Revie w (AIM) . Thi s revie w mus t includ e th e AI M wit h specia l emphasi s place d o n th e IFRoperation s a s covere di n chapter s 5 and1 0 o f th e AI M minimu mo f 1. 0 hour s c . Interpretin g Weathe r

an dWeathe r

Reports/Forecasts . Thi s revie w mus t

includ e weathe r

phenomeno n an dsystems , a s wel l a s weathe r

service s availabl e t o th e pilo t suc h a s sequenc e reports , are aandtermina l forecasts , pilo t reports , an d in-fligh t advisorie s minimu mo f 2. 0 hour s d . Instrumen t

Char t Review . Thi s revie w mus t includ e instrumen t

fligh t planning , instrumen t

procedure s a

t bot h controlle dan duncontrolle dairports , an darevie w o f instrumen t

chart s minimu mo f 2. 0 hour s e . Cockpi t

Resourc e Managemen t

(CRM) . Thi s revie w mus t includ e ke y CR

M concept s suc h a s decisionmakin g an d judgment , situationa l awareness , an dmanagemen t o f flight resource s minimu mo f 1. 5 hour s f . Method s fo

r Determinin g Weathe r

Observation s b y th e Pilot . Thi s revie w mus t

includ e method s for

determinin g presen t visibilit y (measure do r

estimated) , method s fo

r determinin g estimate dceilings , an dmethod s for weathe r observatio n use db y th e NW S minimu mo f 2. 0 hour s 8 . STA T MedEva c mus t conduc t specia l pilo t

trainin g consisten t

wit h tha t require d whe n specia l instrumen t

approache s ar e establishe dan dissue dt o th e operator . 9 . Fligh t

plannin g fo

r IF Rflights conducte dunde r thi s exemptio n mus t

includ e selectio n o f

a n alternat e airport

tha t meet s th e requirement s o f § § 135.22 1 an d 135.22 3 an dha s a

n approve dweathe r

reportin g sourc e i n accordanc e wit h § 135.213 . 10 . Th e aircraf

t mus t b e equippe dan dth e appropriat e equipmen t mus t b e operational t o execut e th e lA P a

t bot h th e destinatio n an dselecte dalternat e airport .11 . Helicopter s mus t fly al l approache s usin g Categor y A approac h speed s o r

tiiose require dfo

r th e typ e o f

approac h bein g used . 12 . After

completin g alandin g at

th e destinatio n airport/heliport tha t does.no t mee t th e weathe r

requirement s o f

th e affecte dsections , th e PI C i s authorize dt o determin e i f

th e weathe r

meet s th e takeof

f requirement s o f

part 9 7 o r th e certificat e holder' s operation s specifications , a s applicable . Thi s exemptio n terminate s o n Augus t 31 , 2010 , unles s soone r

supersede do r

rescinded . Sincerely , /s / Jame s J . Balloug h Director , Fligh t

Standard s Servic e Enclosure s