~~-~~irMethodsfy 

April27,2012 

U.S. Department ofTransportation 

Docket Management System 

400 ih Street, SW 

RoomPL401 

Washington, DC 20591-0001 

W.MGray 

Vice President of Aviation Support Services 

Air Methods Corporation 

7301 South Peoria 

Englewood, CO 80112-4133 

Dear Sir/Madame, 

The Exclusive Airborne Healthcare Company ... Since 1980 

Air Methods Corporation 

Denver/Centennial Airport 

NASDAQ/NMS: AIRM 

Air Methods Corporation requests an exemption from FAA Order 8300.10 Appendix 3 

Section 3.C to the extent necessary to permit Air Methods Corporation to operate and 

maintain pressure cylinders under Section 3D. Air Methods requests relief from the 

following requirements: 

(1) Section 3.C. states, in pertinent part, for Title 14CFR Part 135 Aircraft with 

Passenger Seating Configuration ofNine Seats or Less will maintain the applicable 

cylinders in accordance with 49 CFR 180.205. 

Prior to publication of the FAA Order 8300.10, there were no specific 14 CFR 

regulations for certification, manufacture, and maintenance of pressure cylinders used 

aboard aircraft. In addition rules on inspection and testing pressure cylinders used aboard 

aircraft were also not specified in 14 CFR Part 135. This FAA Order 8300.10 was 

published to provide specific guidance on cylinder aging, internal corrosion, external 

pressure changes, cycles, and extreme temperature changes. These standards are 

addressed in 49 CFR 180.205. 

Section 3.D which has since been incorporated into FAA Order 8900.1 volume 3 Chapter 

57, allows Part 135 aircraft type-certificated for passenger seating configuration often or 

more seats with scheduled heavy maintenance checks to accomplish maintenance and 

inspection of pressure cylinders during scheduled heavy (phases or "C" or "D") checks 

through the operators Continuous Airworthiness Maintenance Program (CAMP). Air 

Methods Corporation maintains a similar program through the FAA. Approved Aircraft 

Inspection Program (AAIP). This program contains scheduled maintenance checks from 

daily checks through heavy maintenance checks such as 12 month, 600 hour, 800 hour, 

7301 South Peoria. Englewood, Colorado, USA 80112. 303-792-7400. FAX 303-790-0499 
I 

I. 

1200 hour, 6 year, etc. which are equivalent to many CAMP operator heavy maintenance 

check intervals. AMC already incorporates into the AAIP maintenance of the pressure 

cylinders, to include condition (inspection for cracks, wear, corrosion, etc.), weight 

checks, life limit tracking and hydro static testing requirements at regular scheduled 

intervals. From the aspect of pressure cylinder maintenance the AMC AAIP is equal to 

the programs operated by other Part 135 and Part 121 operators utilizing CAMP's 

therefore providing an equivalent level of inspection, tracking and safety. 

Accordingly, Air Methods Corporation requests they be granted an exemption to FAA 

Order 8300.10 Appendix 3 Section 3.C to allow AMC to maintain pressure cylinders 

installed as aircraft equipment in accordance with Section 3.D (Reference FAA Order 

8900.1 Volume 3 Chapter 57) and the following procedures: 

(1) AMC will ensure a written maintenance/inspection program is 

established specifically for the cylinders covered in 49 CFR 175. 

AMC will comply with the aircraft or cylinder manufacturer's lifelimit recommendations. 

(2) Each cylinder will be inspected at a regular interval to ensure that the 

required internal pressure or weight of contents is maintained. Each 

cylinder will also be inspected to ensure that the valving, safety relief 

devices, mounting brackets, and associated instrumentation are secure 

and acceptable for continued safe flight. 

(3) Any cylinder removed from an aircraft for any reason must be 

inspected to determine that the required internal pressure or weight of 

contents is within acceptable limits. There can be no visible evidence 

of degradation of the cylinder or attached accessories. Any cylinders 

showing degradation or loss of contents must be retested and 

requalified (or rejected and condemned) as prescribed in 49 CFR 

180.205. 

(4) Any cylinder that is part of a supplementary oxygen system, that in the 

course of its normal operation is gradually depleted, may remain in 

service if it meets the operational requirements in Part 91.211, 

Supplemental oxygen. 

- ( 5) Any cylinder (except supplemental oxygen) that is part of an aircraft 

system, which has been discharged for any reason must be requalified 

and visually inspected in accordance with 49 CFR 180.205. 

(6) Cylinders may remain in service without the required periodic 

retesting, reinspection, and marking as prescribed in 49 CFR 180.205 

if they meet the criteria of items (1), (2), (3) and (4) above and have 

not been discharged. 

Air Methods is confident that granting of the requested exemption would not reduce the 

level of safety, and it will not have adverse impact on the interests of the aircraft owners 

or on government agencies. Granting of this exemption is in the public interest since it 

will allow Air Methods to continue to provide reliable and timely service to support the 
medical needs of the public while reducing operating costs and increasing revenues by 

reducing aircraft out of service time. 

If you have any questions concerning this request for exemption please contact me at 

(303)792-7558 or e-mail me at agray@airmethods.com. 

Sincerely, 

W.M. "Archie" Gra 

Vice President of Aviation Support Services 

Air Methods Corporation