The National Air Transportation Association (NATA) is placing a special focus on the air ambulance sector with the creation of a subcommittee within its Air Charter Committee. The air ambulance subcommittee will be chaired by Marc Ramthun, v-p of medical flight services for CSI Aviation, with Emma Roberts, senior director of safety, training, and compliance for Reva, as vice-chair.
The subcommittee will delve into issues such as concerns surrounding the movement of Covid-19 patients, medical crew rest and duty rules, broker transparency, international regulations, and the shuttering of rural hospitals. It will also discuss a range of other operational topics.
“Our segment of the industry operates in two of the most highly regulated spaces: Part 135 air charter and medical,” said Ramthun. “It’s good to have this forum for air ambulance operators to collaborate on highlighting critical missions and issues that have been amplified by the current Covid crisis.”
Roberts added, "The industry has been uniquely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. It is more important than ever for us to work together towards a common goal of safely transporting our patients and crews.”
The subcommittee already has attracted members from 20 air charter companies, said NATA senior v-p and committee liaison Ryan Waguespack.