This section of our website is designed to provide information about the Aviation Command for the ground providers who set up our landing zones and for those who may be curious about other aspects of our operations. For clarification or any additional questions, please email our Medical Operations section. There is a section for Optimal Landing Zone Set-Up and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's) as well.
Weather Information
The Aviation Command has instituted weather minimum guidelines that dictate when we can and cannot fly. These guidelines include both the ceiling (how far off the ground the clouds are) and visibility (how far we can see). Our minimum requirements for flight are:
| Ceiling |
800 feet |
1000 feet |
|---|
| Visibility |
2 miles |
3 miles |
|---|
The weather minimums take into consideration the likelihood that we will be to complete the mission when we accept it from the requester. If the patient is held on the ground awaiting the arrival of a helicopter which ultimately does not reach the scene due to weather, valuable time is unnecessarily lost. Our weather minimums have been set at a level where we reasonably believe we will be able to complete the mission safely.
It is important to remember that it is almost impossible to correctly judge the ceiling and visibility with the naked eye. What may appear to be terrible conditions may, in fact, meet our minimums. For that reason, we strongly urge you to never attempt to judge the weather from the ground, and instead call us when you need us.
Call Us If You Need Us
We use a number of systems including weather radar and automated weather advisory systems to determine if it is safe to fly. Please do not hesitate to call us if you think we can be of assistance.
One other important note about weather: We have instituted our weather minimums for the safety of our crews, the ground providers and our patients. If we are unable to fly, please think twice before requesting another helicopter service. "Helicopter shopping" can put both the helicopter crew and your patient in jeopardy.
If you have any questions about weather minimums, please do not hesitate to contact our Training Section.
Landing Zone Safety Video
Our Landing Zone Safety video is currently being hosted on the Maryland Fire Rescue Institute webpage in QuickTime format.
Frequently Asked Questions
