Mark Bathie – Airworthiness Engineer
Aeromedical
Design & Manufacturing Seminar 21-22 May 2014
Overview
Project scope The issues
CS14/04 Project Scope
1.Review current aeromedical fitout designs, including commercial medical equipment and road stretcher systems.
2.Consult with industry representatives with the aim of refining the scope of the project and acquiring details of the medical risks (for and against) of EMS and Air Ambulance.
3.Development content for guidance material, standards and any regulatory changes.
Aircraft for Aeromedical operations
Standard CofA required. Aircraft are modified from “normal” passenger
carrying configurations. Specialised “role equipment” fitted. Modifications may be permanent or
temporary. Airworthiness and operations highly
interdependent.
Aircraft Design Standards
Design Standards don’t consider Aeromedical purpose apart from ‘berth or litter’ restraint.
Design Standards consider passengers to be ambulatory, even after ‘emergency landing conditions’
Design Standards assume passengers get aboard the aircraft ‘healthy’ and aren't at risk of expiring during the flight.
RTCA/DO-313 Non-required CS&E
“A failure of CS&E to perform it intended function must not adversely affect the safety of the aircraft or its occupants, or the proper functioning of equipment and systems that required by the design and the operating rules”
“The system installation should include a means for the flight/cabin crew to disconnect the CS&E from its source of power, where applicable” – medical implications
Guidance review
FAA AC 20-168 - Certification Guidance for Installation of Non-Essential, Non-Required Aircraft Cabin Systems & Equipment (CS&E)
FAA AC 21-45 - Commercial Parts
EN 13718-1:2008 and EN 13718-2:2008 - Medical vehicles and their equipment. Air ambulances.
Mission Risk
Flight safety design risk – 10-6, 10-7, 10-8, 10-9 Medical/patient risk - 10-3, 10-2,……. 10-1 ? What are the proportions of the average
mission risk?
Part 90
Reg. Title Requirements 90.215 Access to Emergency Exit No doors. Curtains allowing free
access. 90.220 Interior Emergency Exit
marking Aisle Exit signs, self-illuminating signs, 2” exit signs, illuminated door handles
90.235 Exterior Emergency Exit marking
2” Exit Bands
90.245 Overwing escape routes Wing escape path marks 90.255 Seat cushions* Appendix F Part II Oil Burner Test
Applicability to large aeroplanes engaged in air transport operations
* From 1 January 2016
Controlled and uncontrolled equipment
Controls: Electrical protection EMI/EMC Structural Flammability Failure mode analysis
How to handle uncontrolled equipment ?
Commercial / Road Stretchers
AS/NZS 4535:1999 Adequate design standard? Has been previously accepted in lieu of §23.561 No generic Subpart D or F type requirements
Production controls ? Instructions for Continuing Roadworthiness ? Mandated maintenance program ?
Bariatric Stretchers
Designed for 200 ~ 300kg patient Analysed for 77kg / 98kg Very hard to restrain 300kg in an 18g cabin.
Neonatal Care
Cot certification Occupant Restraint De-lethalisation Oxygen rich environment Nitric Oxide
Aisle
Aisle incursion by patient and/or equipment
Medical floors
Should they be required? Seals the floor from fluids in the cabin Reduces biohazard risk Reduced corrosion potential Completely sealed or a drip tray?
Biohazard
Aircraft structure Floor Stretchers Mattress
Electrical
Power Outlets Outlets Lockable?
Batteries
Lithium batteries Recommendations regarding charging
onboard?
Seating / Restraint
Harness configurations Attendant locations with detachable shoulder
belts
Evacuation
Evacuation of immobilised patient Do stretchers go through every exit in aircraft? Some can only be evacuated with power on. CAO 20.11 does not consider flotation devices for
stretcher patients Positive buoyancy for stretchers?
Human External Cargo (HEC)
ATSO-C1001 Dispatcher's Restraint Strap ATSO-C1003 Helicopter External Personnel Lifting Devices TSO-C167 Personnel Carrying Device Systems (PCDS)
NFPA 1983: Standard on Life Safety Rope and Equipment for
Emergency Services Are rock-climbing standards acceptable ?
Broader standards required ? Stretchers, capsules, baskets, chairs
Dangerous Goods
References to DG Technical Instructions DG requirements do not apply to dangerous
goods carried by an aircraft where the dangerous goods are to provide, during flight, medical aid to a patient.
Provision must be made to stow and secure dangerous goods during take-off and landing.
Medical procedures / flight safety
Are there medical procedures that affect flight safety? (operations)
Non-dedicated aircraft
Specific guidance for: mercy flights ? RPT
Pax location on-board Evacuation instructions (CAO 20.11.14.1.2)
Project Status
1. Review current aeromedical fitout designs – almost complete.
2. Industry Group - Shortly 3. Development contents for guidance material,
standards and any regulatory changes – 12 months.
What else ?