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 ?