What is an air ambulance? A business jet that is configured for patient transport. For Premier Jets, that is a Lear Jet with upgraded fuel tanks for longer range flights. A medical base sits on one side of the cabin. The nurses and medical technicians sit on the other. Accompanying family members sit in the rear of the cabin. Oxygen, vital sign monitoring, fluids, and medicines are all available to the patient. Who needs an air ambulance? A patient who is too far away from his/her home health care for ground medical transportation, and whose condition is not suitable for air transport. What must I do to secure air ambulance services? Contact Premier Jets directly or through an industry broker. Secure the service with a payment plan. Coordinate the details with our mission planners. Please contact our Mission Planning Specialist operations@premierjets.com What aircraft will transport me? In the case of Premier Jets and Lifeguard Air Ambulance the aircraft will be from our fleet of Lear Jet models 35 and 36. These are the most cost-effective of aircraft performing the international air ambulance mission today. In the case of the Lear 36, ours have been modified with enlarged tip tanks to allow longer flights. This capability allows you to arrive faster and saves money. What medical staff will attend to me while in flight? Normally, it will be a medical team of two, and tailored to the medical condition of the patient. A critical care nurse is usually paired with a Respiratory Therapist or Paramedic. When recommended or requested by the sending or receiving physician, an on-board physician will be added to the medical team. How about the pilots? The Lear Jet flies with two pilots. On occasion, a third pilot is assigned because by FAA regulations, a slightly longer crew duty day is permitted when three pilots share the workload of two cockpit seats. That can simplify and speed the flight to destination at times. The Captain is FAA certified for his position. He or she demonstrates proficiency at his position during two flight evaluations per year. In addition he or she attends a refresher ground school with simulator training once each year. Multiple, complex aircraft emergency situations are experienced during this formal training. Also, captains pass a FAA Class 1 flight physical, the same as do captains of major scheduled airlines, twice each year. The average experience of a Premier Jets captain is more than 25 years and 4000 flight hours. The First Officer is well trained in his or her position. He or she also receives an annual Class 2 flight physical and one flight evaluation per year. The average experience of the Premier Jets' current roster of First Officers exceeds three years and 1500 flight hours. |
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What must I do to prepare for the flight? Once the flight is contracted, stay in close communication with the Premier Jet's mission coordinator. Anticipate flights that can last up to six hours. Taking a jacket on board is a good idea, though room temperature is the norm in the cabin, at any altitude. Do I have to find my own ground transportation to the aircraft? No. You may if you choose, but we recommend that we do it. We are experienced. It is our aircraft and medical staff that has to meet the ambulance and work with the ground ambulance medical staff. The hospital has to be aware of ambulance movements that affect its patients. Overall, we find that it works best for both of us if handle it for you. How much will this cost? The cost of the flight is based on the number of flight hours it will take to complete the mission. That does include returning our jet and crew to its home base. Other things that can add to the cost include, extra crew requirements (additional pilot or doctor, for instance), landing fees, cost of hotels and living expenses for the crew. A US Dollar quote can usually be generated within an hour or two, once we know the details of the trip. Our Lear Jet fleet is the most cost-effective aircraft with world-wide capability that does this mission. We plan the missions to travel the most direct route to collect the patient and to take him or her to their destination hospital. How many family members can ride along? Usually, one. The patient, the medical crew, and their required equipment takes up much of the space within the cabin. Normally, there is space for one family member to occupy a comfortable seat in the rear of the cabin area. Are meals served on the aircraft? There is no kitchen. Expect a box lunch that can be related to the country from which it came. On board, expect to find hot coffee, soft drinks, water, packaged snacks, cups, and napkins. If you have special needs or requests for food or drink, they can usually be accommodated if requested in advance. How much luggage can I bring? There is not a lot of spare room for baggage in the Lear Jet. Taking a purse or laptop, plus one medium sized piece of luggage per person usually works. If you have more than that to get home, shipping it in advance of your air ambulance flight is recommended. Are pets allowed? It depends. Pets are important, we agree. Some countries are more difficult to pass through with pets than others. Knowing the size and weight of the animal would be required. The pet would have to have its vaccinations up to date and proven so. Travelling in a cage would normally be expected. If the details of the flight dictate that a pet cannot come along, commercial transportation for the pet can be arranged. |
Committed to providing safe, caring, and cost-effective world-wide air medical transport
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| To speak to a Flight 800-635-8583 or 503-640-2927 operations@premierjets.com |